Heart Health Checks & Heart Scans
Heart Health Checks & Heart Scans for Dogs and Cats in Dublin
At Cara Veterinary Group in Dublin 15 (Ballycoolin) and Dublin 7 (Phoenix Park Gate), our experienced vets diagnose and manage common heart conditions in pets using clinical examinations, blood tests, echocardiography (heart scans) and medication. Early detection can dramatically improve your pet's quality of life and longevity.
BOOK A HEART HEALTH CHECK • Call 01 885 3253 • Join our Pet Healthcare Plan for ongoing preventative care
Understanding Heart Disease in Pets
Heart disease in pets can involve damaged heart valves, weakening of the heart muscle, or enlargement of the heart. These conditions are often progressive and may be inherited, making some breeds more at risk than others.
Our experienced vets provide heart health assessments, including physical examinations, listening for heart murmurs, ProBNP blood testing and echocardiography (heart ultrasound scans). Where more advanced investigation or treatment is required, we can arrange referral to a veterinary cardiology specialist.
Heart Disease in Dogs
Valvular Disease
This is most common in small and toy breeds such as Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Jack Russell Terriers, and Yorkshire Terriers. It usually affects middle-aged to older dogs and causes the valves to leak, leading to reduced blood flow efficiency.
Common Signs
- Tiring easily or slowing on walks
- Soft cough at rest or after exercise
- Reduced activity levels
- Fainting or collapsing
- Increased breathing rate
How We Help
Your vet will listen for a heart murmur. If significant, we may recommend a heart scan (echocardiography) to check for enlargement and assess heart function.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
This condition affects larger breeds such as Dobermanns, Great Danes, Boxers, Labradors, and Spaniels. It occurs when the heart muscle weakens and chambers enlarge, reducing pumping strength.
Symptoms
- Reluctance to exercise
- Rapid breathing or panting at rest
- Swollen abdomen (fluid build-up)
- Lethargy or sudden collapse
- Occasionally sudden death
Even a quiet heart murmur can be significant in large breeds. We recommend a ProBNP blood test or heart scan (echocardiography) to confirm diagnosis.
Heart Disease in Cats
Cardiac problems in cats can be subtle. The most common condition is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), where the heart walls thicken and blood flow is reduced.
Warning Signs
- Breathing difficulties or fast breathing at rest
- Lethargy or hiding behaviour
- Loss of appetite
- Painful, sudden hind-leg paralysis caused by clots (saddle thrombus)
Important: Not all cats with murmurs have heart disease, and not all cats with heart disease have murmurs. A blood test (including thyroid testing) and heart scan (echocardiography) are essential for accurate diagnosis.
How We Diagnose and Treat
We diagnose and manage many common heart conditions seen in first-opinion practice. If your pet requires more advanced investigation or treatment, we will discuss referral to an appropriate veterinary cardiology specialist.
- Physical examination and auscultation (listening for murmurs)
- Blood tests including ProBNP and thyroid screening
- Digital X-rays to assess heart size and lung condition
- Echocardiography (heart ultrasound scans) to assess heart structure and function
- Medication plans to reduce strain and improve heart output
Ongoing monitoring ensures your pet remains comfortable and active for as long as possible.
Our Heart Health service is provided by our experienced first-opinion veterinary team. We diagnose and manage many common heart conditions in dogs and cats and perform echocardiography (heart scans) where appropriate. If your pet would benefit from more advanced cardiology investigation or treatment, we will arrange referral to a veterinary cardiology specialist.
Book a Heart Health Check
- Call 01 885 3253 to schedule a heart health check for your pet.
- BOOK ONLINE NOW for general health assessments.
Our Locations
Cara Veterinary Hospital - Unit 233, Blanchardstown Corporate Park 2, Ballycoolin, Dublin 15 (D15 Y384)
Cara Veterinary Clinic - 1A North Circular Road, Phoenix Park Gate, Dublin 7 (D07 HE48)