Kristin Marshman, a clinical specialist in cardiology at the teaching hospitals, said the field offers care to pets that many owners think can't be helped. Unlike humans, dogs and cats do not suffer from the kind of heart disease which causes heart attacks. Certain breeds, including Dobermans and boxers, are genetically prone to heart failure not caused by heart attacks. Marshman said as dogs age, their heart valves tend to thicken, which causes them to leak, leading to heart failure. Cats can also suffer from heart problems as they age, Marshman said.
Medications can help prevent heart failure for both cats and dogs.
Although open-heart surgery for animals is a long way off, Marshman said in the future, heart surgery combined with research might lead to better treatments for patients. Veterinary cardiologists now implant pacemakers into dogs to stabilize their heartbeats. While old dogs and cats seem likely candidates to visit veterinary specialists, young dogs and cats can suffer from joint problems and cataracts. While these problems are often associated with elderly humans, dogs and cats can develop bad joints or cataracts as kittens or puppies. Bistner said canine cataracts are caused by a number of factors, including heredity.