Cardiology

This is the most common (approximately 75% of heart diseases in dogs) cardiac pathology in older (from 6-7 years) small and medium breed dogs. Large breed dogs are affected much less often, but in large breed dogs the disease progresses faster, myocardial dysfunction is more pronounced and the prognosis is more cautious.

Dogs are affected much more often than cats, and the condition is much more common in purebred dogs than in crossbreeds. Irish wolfhounds, Great Danes, Saint Bernards, Newfoundlands, Leonbergers, Dobermans, Finnish Hounds, Boxers, Giant Schnauzers, English Cocker Spaniels, Smooth-Coated Retrievers, and Airedale Terriers are prone to the disease. Dilated cardiomyopathy affects middle-aged and older dogs (4 to 10 years old, most often 7 to 8 years old). In addition, male dogs are more likely to suffer from DCM.

Cats are less likely to develop heart disease than dogs, but they are much more likely to develop hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Most often, 7-8-year-old cats suffer from HKM, more often – males. However, cats from 8 months to 16 years and older can develop HCM. The condition is more common in Persians (males are more likely to develop it) and Maine Coons (the incidence is similar between males and females), but other breeds of cats (e.g., Canadian Sphynxes, British Shorthairs, and exotic cats) are also affected.