Guides
Everything you need to know about caring for a dog with heart disease - DCM, MMVD, and more.
Diagnosis
ARVC (Boxer Cardiomyopathy): The Complete Owner's Guide
ARVC, or Boxer cardiomyopathy, is an electrical heart disease that a normal echo can miss. Learn why Holter monitoring is the key test, plus genetics, treatment, and screening.
13 min read
Enlarged Heart in Dogs: What It Means and What Happens Next
Your vet said your dog's heart looks enlarged on an X-ray. Learn what that actually means, the possible causes, why an echo comes next, and what treatment looks like.
12 min read
Signs of Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs: Early, Advanced, and Emergency
Signs of congestive heart failure in dogs - from the nighttime cough and restlessness to breathing changes, belly swelling, and true emergency signals.
13 min read
Cardiac Emergencies in Dogs: When to Go to the ER
A clear, actionable guide for recognizing cardiac emergencies in dogs - what warrants an immediate ER visit, what to do while driving there, and how to prepare before a crisis happens.
13 min read
The Complete Guide to Doberman DCM
Everything you need to know about Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Doberman Pinschers - genetics, screening, diagnosis, treatment, diet, supplements, and living with a heart dog.
18 min read
DCM Prognosis in Dogs: What to Realistically Expect
An honest, research-based look at DCM prognosis and life expectancy in dogs - what factors affect survival, what the studies show, and what you can do to give your dog the best outcome.
12 min read
DCM Stages Explained: Occult, Overt, and What They Mean for Your Dog
A clear breakdown of the ACVIM stages of canine dilated cardiomyopathy - from Stage A through Stage D - and what each means for your dog's treatment and prognosis.
15 min read
DCM Symptoms in Dogs: What to Watch For
A practical guide to recognizing the early, subtle, and emergency signs of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs - plus how to monitor your dog's resting respiratory rate at home.
14 min read
Living with Heart Disease
Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs: The Complete Guide
Congestive heart failure in dogs explained in plain language - what it actually means, the stages, treatment, life expectancy, and how to care for your dog at home.
20 min read
Exercise and Activity for Dogs with MMVD
Stage-by-stage exercise guidelines for dogs with Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease - how to keep your dog active, happy, and safe at every point in the disease.
14 min read
Diet & Supplements
Low Sodium Dog Food: A Complete Guide for Heart Dogs
How to find genuinely low-sodium dog food - reading labels, prescription cardiac diets vs OTC options, what counts as low, and when restriction actually helps.
12 min read
Low Sodium Dog Treats: Safe Options for Dogs with Heart Disease
Treats are the hidden sodium bomb for heart dogs. Safe low-sodium options, pill pocket alternatives, the sardine question, and easy homemade treat ideas.
9 min read
Taurine for Dogs: When It Helps, How Much, and Which Supplements to Buy
How taurine supports the canine heart, when supplementation actually helps, literature-cited dosing ranges, and how to choose a quality taurine supplement.
15 min read
Diet and Nutrition for Dogs with Heart Disease
What to feed a dog with heart disease - sodium guidelines, protein needs, feeding tips around medications, and how to manage appetite loss in cardiac dogs.
14 min read
Supplements for Dogs with Heart Disease: What the Evidence Says
An evidence-based guide to cardiac supplements for dogs - taurine, L-carnitine, CoQ10, and omega-3s reviewed with published research, dosing guidelines, drug interactions, and what to avoid.
16 min read
Grain-Free Dog Food and DCM: What the Research Actually Says
A balanced, evidence-based look at the FDA investigation into grain-free dog food and dilated cardiomyopathy - what we know, what we do not, and what to feed your dog.
11 min read
Natural Diuretics and Remedies for Dogs with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
An evidence-based look at natural diuretics and complementary remedies for dogs with congestive heart failure, including dandelion root, hawthorn berry, and dietary changes.
11 min read
Costs & Insurance
Financial Assistance for Dogs with Heart Disease
A practical guide to managing the cost of cardiac care for dogs - financial assistance programs, medication savings, veterinary financing, and how to navigate tough decisions with honesty.
14 min read
How Much Does DCM Treatment Cost? A Realistic Breakdown
A transparent breakdown of DCM treatment costs for dogs - from diagnostics and medications to emergencies - plus financial assistance options to help manage the expense.
10 min read
Pet Insurance and Heart Disease in Dogs: What You Need to Know
A practical guide to pet insurance for dogs at risk of heart disease - what is covered, what is not, pre-existing condition rules, and how to evaluate policies before your dog needs cardiac care.
15 min read
Screening
When to Start Heart Screening by Breed
A breed-by-breed guide to cardiac screening schedules for dogs - when to start, which tests to get, how often to screen, and why early detection changes everything.
12 min read
Echocardiogram for Dogs: What to Expect
A complete guide to canine echocardiograms - how the test works, what measurements matter, what results mean, and how to prepare your dog for the appointment.
9 min read
Your First Holter Monitor: What to Expect
A practical, step-by-step guide to your dog's first Holter monitor test - what it is, how it works, what the 24 hours are like, and how to read the results.
12 min read
MMVD
Heart Disease in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels: An Owner's Guide
Why Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are uniquely predisposed to MMVD, what to expect, screening recommendations, the MVD breeding protocol, and how to give your Cavalier the best possible outcome.
15 min read
The Complete Guide to MMVD (Mitral Valve Disease) in Dogs
Everything you need to know about Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease in dogs - the most common acquired heart disease in canines. Staging, treatment, the EPIC study, prognosis, and what to expect.
19 min read
Your Dog Has a Heart Murmur: What You Need to Know
Your vet heard a heart murmur - now what? Learn what heart murmurs mean in dogs, the grading system, when to worry, and why the most common cause in small breeds is highly treatable.
16 min read
MMVD Stages Explained: What B1 and B2 Mean for Your Dog
A detailed breakdown of the ACVIM staging system for Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease - from Stage A through Stage D - with a deep dive on the critical B1 vs B2 distinction that determines when treatment begins.
14 min read