My dog's heart looks big. Does she have an enlarged heart? Am I losing her?

Question

Hello Maggie just got her teeth cleaning done and vet told me her heart looks a little bigger and referred me to a cardiologist. I just read Enlarged heart conditions and it says the dog only lives another 6 months to 2 years and I'm freaking out since these news really surprised me. She has always been healthy, hyper and eats normally. I take her out for light walks and stuff. Am I losing her soon? Does it mean she has enlarged heart for sure? My life changed all of the sudden. Pet's info: Dog | Dachshund | Female | spayed | 9 years and 7 months old | 13 lbs

Dr. Heidi DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVSMT, CVCH · Accepted Answer

Don't worry yet. Hopefully there is nothing wrong with Maggie's heart. When we take an x-ray of the heart, it gives us a general idea of the size of the heart when compared to the rest of the chest. But this information is not very accurate, so if we are worried about it and a heart looks a little bigger than we expect, then we will refer you to a cardiologist which is exactly what your vet did. The cardiologist will be able to use an ultrasound to look at the heart in 3D (called an echocardiogram) to determine if there is an abnormalities in how large the heart is including each chamber of the heart as well as evaluating the valves and how well the heart is working. If they find any abnormalities they may recommend medication to slow the progression of any heart disease, but they may not find anything wrong at all. You will have to wait to see what the cardiologist finds. Even if they find some evidence of heart disease, many dogs live for years with well controlled heart disease if we find it early. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

My dog's heart looks big. Does she have an enlarged heart? Am I losing her?

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