Your pet’s heart is very significant. Whether you own a dog, cat, rabbit, ferret, or hamster, its heart is essential to its life. In fact, a good heart can mean a good life. Maintenance of such an incredible organ can begin the day you bring your animal home and he or she lovingly enters your life. Talk to a veterinary cardiologist for tips on keeping your pet heart-healthy. He or she can help you discuss the exercise, diet, and care appropriate for your animal.
Exercise
No matter what size your animal friend is, he or she needs exercise. This helps with the blood flow to the heart, maintaining a healthy weight, and the prevention of heart disease, but it also helps with joint lubrication (preventing arthritis), entertainment (they need fun, too), and keeping up with your animal’s instinctual behaviors. Discover the ways your animal wants and needs to get moving, and talk to a vet heart specialist to discover the best exercise plan for your pet’s species and breed.
Diet
The media has made it common knowledge that excessive eating in humans can lead to health problems. But what about your animal’s eating habits? Animals, especially dogs, will most likely continue eating until they become sick because of their survival instincts. It is up to you to make sure that they do not eat more than what is healthy for them. Consult your animal’s vet or even a veterinary cardiologist for tips on portion sizes specific to your pet. Also remember that quality beats quantity; check with a vet professional about appropriate foods your pet should eat to protect their heart.
Care
Animals may be born with a heart condition or develop one later in life despite exercise and diet. In this case, your animal will need extra care (but they deserve it). It is important to see a veterinary heart specialist in this case. They can perform the same sophisticated procedures as a cardiologist you would see, but their knowledge of pets helps them tailor their care plan to your animal’s needs. Do not forget about your animal’s emotional needs in this scenario. A pet will look to you for comfort during a difficult time and needs to feel as safe and calm as possible. A good veterinary cardiologist will understand this and put your animal’s needs at the top of his or her priorities. Animals can live normal and lengthy lives even while being treated for a heart condition.
Want to consult a helpful veterinary heart specialist? about VERG (the Veterinary Emergency & Referral Group) located in Brooklyn, NY. They are comprised of licensed veterinary cardiologists, as well as educated surgeons, neurologists, oncologists and more.
