Cardiology & Heart Disease

As pets age the heart can be one of the first organs to show signs of disease.

Below are some of the most common heart diseases we see at Ark:

  • Heartworm disease
  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Heart murmurs
  • Heart tumors and cancer
  • Heart enlargement (hypertrophic or dilated cardiomyopathy)
  • Stroke

Our doctors always start by auscultating with a stethoscope, but there many other tests that are imperative to diagnosing, treating, and even preventing heart disease such as:

  • Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
  • Echocardiogram (Echo)
  • Radiographs (X-rays)
  • Oscillometric blood pressure readings
  • Cardiac ProBNP laboratory test