Heart disease is among the most common causes of death in older dogs, and evidence-based management with medications and monitoring can substantially extend comfortable life.
Cardiac disease in dogs causes a progressive decline in exercise tolerance and quality of life as cardiac output decreases and fluid accumulates in the lungs. Dogs in heart failure experience breathlessness that is distressing and limits their ability to engage in normal activities. The availability of effective cardiac medications including pimobendan, furosemide, and ACE inhibitors has transformed the management of canine heart failure, extending comfortable life significantly compared to untreated disease. The challenge is that early disease is subclinical and owners may not recognise the onset of failure until it is advanced. Regular monitoring of dogs in breeds known to be at risk enables earlier intervention and better welfare outcomes.