www.pdsa.org.uk/petinsurance 0800 980 6000
There’s no doubt about it, pets well and truly steal our hearts and build an unbreakable bond with us. One way of protecting that very special relationship is to make sure that our pet’s heart is healthy.
PDSA vet, Vicki Larkham-Jones, says: “Pets can often suffer with the same illnesses as people, and their hearts are no different. Everything we do to look after our hearts applies to our pets too – so a balanced diet, regular exercise and annual veterinary check-ups will keep them in tip-top condition and ensure any heart problems have a better chance of being detected early on.”
Overweight pets are more at risk of heart disease, so getting your pet’s weight checked by a vet and asking for advice on how to slim your pet if necessary is a good starting point. Some vets run special slimming clubs, which can help keep pets and owners on the straight and narrow. Cutting out treats and human food scraps will also help, as will increasing the amount of exercise as their stamina improves.
Sometimes, even with the best care, we cannot prevent our pets suffering from heart problems. Diagnosis in the early stages, such as picking up a heart murmur, can increase the chances of successfully managing the condition, so regular annual checkups with your vet are also recommended, with more frequent visits if your pet is older or has other health problems.
Signs of heart disease can include:
· Stopping whilst out on a walk
· Laboured breathing or breathlessness
· Restlessness at night
· Coughing, especially during or after exercise or excitement
· A bloated stomach (caused by fluid build up in the abdomen)
“Although heart disease cannot be cured, with the right vet care it can normally be successfully managed,” added Vicki. “Appropriate diet and exercise along with a consistent daily routine that avoids any unnecessary changes and stresses will help. Regular check-ups from the vet are also essential to stabilise any heart condition, all of which should help to create a good quality of life.”
PDSA is on a mission to educate the nation on pet wellbeing and is delighted that funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery is helping the charity to continue this vital work. For more pet care tips log onto www.pdsa.org.uk/pethealth.