Site Menus Section Skip to page content
Site Accessibility Features: Skip to page menus
Site Menus Section Skip to page content
Although heart problems are found more often in older pets, these conditions can affect pets at any age. Heart disease is usually a life-threatening condition, but early diagnosis and appropriate therapy can extend your pet’s life. If caught soon enough, some forms of heart disease can be cured.
Heart disease can lead to congestive heart failure (CHF), which occurs when the heart can no longer pump blood effectively. If an animal is suffering from CHF, fluid usually accumulates in and around the lungs and sometimes in the abdomen. Congenital heart disease (animals born with a heart problem), valvular heart disease (abnormalities of the heart valves), arrhythmias (rhythm disturbances), and heartworm disease can all lead to CHF.
Call us if your pet starts breathing rapidly or coughing, loses his or her appetite, tires easily, seems weak or has trouble exercising. We can discover many heart problems during a physical exam. Additional tests, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG), radiographs (x-rays), and ultrasounds, are usually needed to accurately identify the cause of the heart disease or failure.
P: (607) 962-0931 E: riovistavet@gmail.com
9206 Barringer Road, Painted Post, NY 14870
Mon: 7am – 5pm Tues: 7am – 4pm Wed: 7am – 5pm Thurs: 7am – 5pm Fri: 7am – 5pm Saturdays: by appointment Sundays: closed
*Note we are closed daily from 12pm-1pm for lunch
We understand that emergencies happen at all hours. It is critical to have an emergency plan in place for your pet.
© 2025 Rio Vista Veterinary Hospital. Powered by LifeLearn Veterinary Websites