Disease Explanations
Below is a list of common cardiorespiratory diseases with links to hand outs that can be printed for owner information.
Dog Heart Disease
Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC) Explained:
A possible cause for arrhythmias and collapse in Boxers
Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Explained:
A common cause of an arrhythmia in dogs with atrial enlargement due to degenerative valve disease or dilated cardiomyopathy
Degenerative Valve Disease/Mitral Valve Disease (DVD/MVD):
The most common heart disease in dogs especially prevalent in older small breed dogs.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy Explained:
A common cause of congestive heart failure in large breed dogs
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) Explained:
A common cause of a loud heart murmurs in puppies
Pulmonic Stenosis (PS) Explained:
Pulmonic stenosis is the third most common congenital heart disease in dogs.
Sub-aortic Stenosis (SAS) Explained:
The most common congenital canine heart disease and a common cause of murmurs in young large breed dogs
Third Degree Atrioventricular Block (3o AV block) Explained:
Third degree AV block is also know as complete heart block and is the most common cause for pacemaker implantation in older dogs
Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) Explained:
A ventricular septal defect is also more commonly known as a 'hole in the heart'
Cat Heart Disease
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Explained:
The most common cause of cardiac disease in cats
Restrictive Cardiomyopathy (RCM) Explained:
Restrictive cardiomyopathy appears more prevalent in oriental breeds especially Siamese and Burmese
Respiratory Disease
Chronic Bronchitis Explained:
A common cause of coughing in older dogs
Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) Explained:
An increasingly recognised cause of fainting/collapse (syncope) in dogs with severe heart or lung disease
Regional Clinics
University of Melbourne Vet Hospital Werribee
Every Wednesday morning
(unless a public holiday)
For bookings at UVet Werribee, please call UVet direct on 03 9731 2000
West - between Melbourne & Kyneton/Ballarat
First Friday of each month
7 Feb, 6 Mar, 3 Apr, 1 May
(unless a public holiday)
North - between Melbourne & Shepparton
Last Friday of each month
29th Nov, 31 Jan, 28 Feb, 27 Mar, 24 April, 29 May
(unless a public holiday)
East - between Melbourne & Morwell/Sale
Third Friday of each month
20 Dec, 24 Jan, 21 Feb, 20 Mar, 17 Apr, 15 May
(unless a public holiday)
Adelaide - AAERC Kurralta Park
Second Friday of each month
13 Dec, 10 Jan, 14 Feb, 13 Mar
(unless a public holiday)
For bookings at the AAERC, please call the AAERC direct on (08) 8371 0333