Heart disease in small pets

Examination and therapy same as with dog and cat

Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters & co. Were bought mainly as first animal companions for children until a few years ago and unfortunately often treated like toys. Today, however, they have risen to the rank of family members. Even many working adults, for reasons of time, the attitude of a dog or a cat is not possible, have realized how much joy these funny fellow householders. No wonder that there is a desire to enable the small, four-legged companion a long life with a good quality of life. Unfortunately, sometimes the heart breaks even in small pet animals, which severely limits the quality of life. Veterinary help is needed.

Heart built with pets the same

Heart disease in small pets can be diagnosed as well as in dogs and cats, because the heart is basically the same in all these species. However, the examination of these small individuals to the veterinarian even higher demands, because these animals are usually restless and also have an extremely high heart rate, so many heartbeats per minute, have.

Number of heartbeats per minute

Chinchilla: 150 • Guinea pig: 200 • Rabbit: 220
Ferrets: up to 400 • Golden hamsters: up to 412 • Rat: up to 450
Mouse: up to 600

Heart diseases most commonly affect guinea pigs, rabbits, ferrets, chinchillas and African white-bellied iguanas. But also mice, rats and hamsters can be heart disease.

No difference to dog and cat

Small pets are not different from dogs and cats in terms of heart disease. This applies to both the congenital heart disease as well as the acquired.

* For example, in ferrets you often find a congenital heart enlargement, in which the heart muscle dilutes rapidly, which reduces the pumping power of the heart. This weakness of the heart muscle usually only appears from middle age. When the disease is at an advanced stage, pet owners experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, open mouth, apathy, and loss of appetite. In addition, the ferret but also often changes to the heart valves can be found.

* Guinea pigs and rabbits occasionally have a congenital hole in the heart septum. How quickly complaints occur depends on the size of the hole. Most of the affected animals are brought to the veterinarian at the age of one to two years. Fortunately, these defects are usually very small, so they hardly affect life expectancy.

Rabbits and guinea pigs, however, are much more likely to acquire as well as degenerate changes in heart valves between the atrium and the ventricle in the course of life in rabbits and guinea pigs. As with dogs and cats, this leads to the inability of the valves and the backflow of blood either in the body or in the lungs. Here, too, the pet owner notices that the little darling no longer wants to eat, is inactive, hides and breathes quickly with his mouth open.

Examination of the heart

First, the clinical examination of the general condition, followed by the interception of the heart and lungs. The follow-up examinations include ECG and cardiac ultrasound. The same devices are used as for dogs and cats. The x-ray examination of the heart and lungs is often dispensed with, as this represents a risk for the little patients: in a lateral position, the respiratory distress is increased, which can lead to life-threatening conditions. In contrast, the ultrasound examination of the heart can be done in any body position, so is less stressful for the animal.For these studies, the animals do not need to be sedated. The presence of the pet owner can facilitate the investigation if it distracts its little four-legged friend with tidbits. For example, owners of ferrets should have vitamin paste with them; for rabbits it is advisable to bring yoghurt drops or carrots. In some animals, one must also use tricks during the examination: For example, to perform the cardiac ultrasound in the white-bellied urchin, the spiny fellow must be placed in the handstand so that he can not curl up.

Medicines in liquid Form preferred

For the treatment of heart diseases of small pets, the same medicines are used as for dogs and cats: Depending on the clinical picture, digitalis preparations, ACE inhibitors and Lasix. Practical to enter are medications in liquid form.Medicines that are only available in the form of capsules or tablets are almost always too strong for small pets and must be reformulated in the pharmacy into weaker capsules.