What Are the Causes of Heart Disease?
There are several reasons your dog can be affected by heart disease:
Acquired Heart Disease
- Diseases that develop during the course of your dog’s life
- Accounts for 95% of all heart conditions
- There are two principal causes of acquired heart disease:
- Atrioventricular valvular insufficiency (AVVI), which is also referred to as endocardiosis
- Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
Congenital Defects
- Heart problems that your dog is born with
- Will usually be diagnosed when your dog is very young (ie, still a puppy)
- Account for a small percentage of the diagnosed heart-related problems
Maintain proper body weight for your dog.Tell Us Your Story
Submit your story of a canine member of your family and his or her battle against heart disease.
