Chagas disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi is an increasingly recognized cause of cardiac failure and sudden death in dogs across the southern United States.
Dogs with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy experience progressive exercise intolerance, congestive heart failure, dangerous cardiac arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. The disease disproportionately affects dogs in rural and outdoor settings where triatomine bug exposure is highest, including working and hunting dogs. Owner awareness is extremely low in endemic areas, meaning many dogs suffer cardiac disease without correct diagnosis. Welfare interventions focus on prevention through reducing kissing bug access to kennels and housing, and managing cardiac symptoms in infected dogs.