Is Heart Disease Screening Necessary for Pets and Exotic Animals?

Is Heart Disease Screening Necessary for Pets and Exotic Animals?
By: Dr. Rattikarn Woralha, DVM, PhD; Dr. Jirasin Jintanapusit, DVM; Dr. Chanikan Unhanan, DVM; and the Kwuncum Animal Hospital Cardiology Team

Studies show that pets are facing an increasing risk of developing heart disease. Dogs have a general risk of 10%, which surges to 60% as they enter their senior years. The most common conditions found are MMVD (Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease) and DCM (Dilated Cardiomyopathy), while congenital heart diseases are relatively rare, occurring in only 0.46% to 1.6% of cases. Meanwhile, cats have a general risk of more than 15%, with HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy) being the most frequently diagnosed.

Khwankham Animal Hospital has been pioneering heart disease screening in pets and exotic animals for many years. We are discovering heart conditions in exotic pets more frequently, and the risk increases as they age. This applies to dogs, cats, rabbits, and rodents—especially hamsters, where cases are increasingly reported—as well as birds and reptiles. Because of this, there is a growing need for more veterinary specialists in this field.

According to statistics from the Khwankham Khon Kaen branch, an average of up to 2 owners bring their pets in for screening every day. This demonstrates the high level of attentiveness within the provincial pet-owning community. In Bangkok, the demand for specialists in this area has been high for the past 15 years, and this trend is expected to grow in the provinces as well. This is largely because people have a better understanding of heart disease and its dangers—whether through the news, close acquaintances who have experienced it, or the loss of their own pets. As a result, Khwankham Animal Hospital has continuously campaigned for routine heart disease screening.

Currently, all of our branches have resident veterinarians equipped to handle heart disease screenings for a wide variety of animals. Our services include both Electrocardiograms (ECG) and Echocardiograms (Echo).

We invite everyone to bring their pets in for regular check-ups. Please do not underestimate the importance of their heart health!