Author: Dr. Yeo Jae-seung, Chief Director (Chief Director of 24H UN animal medical center, Director of Companion Animal Heart and Kidney Center, Internal Medicine Director of 24H UN animal medical center)
This content has been prepared in compliance with relevant laws including the Medical Service Act.
If your pet frequently coughs or breathes heavily, it may not be a simple cold. Heart disease in dogs often has a long asymptomatic period, and in many cases, the disease is discovered only after significant progression. Please first check the following three key pieces of information.
— Early detection is key: Dog heart disease has a long asymptomatic period, making regular cardiac ultrasound and biomarker testing crucial for early diagnosis.
— Verify integrated diagnostic system: Choosing an animal medical center equipped with cardiac ultrasound, ECG, and NT-proBNP is the starting point for precise diagnosis.
— Understand individual differences: Appropriate test items and treatment direction vary according to breed, age, and disease stage, so individual veterinary diagnosis must come first.
Finding a Dog Heart Specialist Animal Hospital in Busan
If you are considering specialized heart treatment for your dog in Busan, it is important to first verify the diagnostic system the hospital possesses. The key selection criterion is whether the facility is a 24-hour animal medical center equipped with cardiac ultrasound, ECG, and heart biomarker (NT-proBNP) testing, and capable of multidisciplinary consultation.
According to the Seoul National University College of Veterinary Medicine Animal Hospital internal medicine consultation standards, comprehensive testing including cardiac ultrasound is utilized in dog heart disease diagnosis. In particular, cardiac ultrasound is a universal first-line test performed for both congenital and acquired heart conditions, and is a key tool for visually confirming abnormalities in heart structure, size, and blood flow.
Because dog heart disease has a long initial asymptomatic period, early detection without a precision equipment-based diagnostic system is difficult. Since appropriate test items and treatment direction vary greatly depending on individual disease progression speed, breed, and age, it is advisable to prioritize individual veterinary diagnosis before hospital visits.
By the way, is this confusing?
Q. How is specialized heart treatment different from general treatment?
Specialized heart treatment performs comprehensive testing including cardiac ultrasound, ECG, and biomarkers, and establishes a treatment plan tailored to the disease stage based on test results. General auscultation alone may only confirm the presence or absence of heart murmurs, so visits to a center equipped with precision equipment are recommended when detailed diagnosis is needed.
What is Dog Heart Disease and How Does It Progress?
The most common heart disease in small, elderly dogs is mitral valve insufficiency (MMVD). This disease progresses through five stages: A → B1 → B2 → C → D. Until stage B, distinct symptoms such as coughing or difficulty breathing rarely appear, making it difficult for owners to notice. This is exactly why regular heart check-ups are important.
According to academic materials on veterinary cardiology introduced by DailyVet, MMVD accounts for more than 70% of heart failure causes in dogs. Clinically, it has been confirmed that starting drug therapy such as pimobendan from the asymptomatic B2 stage can help extend the non-clinical period, demonstrating once again the importance of early diagnosis.
If symptoms such as coughing, increased respiratory rate, exercise avoidance, and easy fatigue are observed, the condition may have already progressed to stage C or beyond. At this stage, stressors such as grooming and bathing can also increase the risk of pulmonary edema, and related clinical data recommend consulting with a veterinarian before proceeding. If symptoms are suspected, seek veterinary consultation without delay.
By the way, is this confusing?
Q. Besides MMVD, what other heart diseases are common in dogs?
Cardiomyopathy (DCM) also requires attention. It primarily occurs in large breeds and is a disease where the heart muscle enlarges and contractility decreases. Both diseases can be differentiated by cardiac ultrasound, and treatment approaches differ, so accurate testing must be done first.
Diagnostic and Management Approach at 24H UN animal medical center Heart and Kidney Center
At the 24H UN animal medical center Heart and Kidney Center located in Daeyeon-dong, Busan, certified veterinarian Dr. Yeo Jae-seung, the chief director, personally performs cardiac ultrasound, ECG, and heart biomarker (NT-proBNP) testing, and through an interdisciplinary consultation system in internal medicine and radiology, examines the overall health of cardiac patients.
According to lecture materials from an American board-certified veterinary cardiologist introduced by DailyVet, NT-proBNP levels of 1,500 pmol/L or higher are known to indicate high possibility of progression to congestive heart failure. This value is used not only for diagnosis but also for periodic monitoring of heart condition during treatment.
Below are the main cardiac test items operated by the 24H UN animal medical center Heart and Kidney Center.
| Test Item | What is Confirmed | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiac Ultrasound | Heart size, structure, blood flow, valve abnormalities | Non-invasive, no anesthesia required, determines disease stage |
| ECG (Electrocardiogram) | Heart rhythm, presence of arrhythmias | Used to confirm presence of accompanying arrhythmias |
| NT-proBNP (Biomarker) | Degree of heart burden, congestive heart failure risk | Used for diagnosis and monitoring during treatment |
| Troponin I | Degree of myocardial damage | Referenced when assessing condition as myocardial damage indicator |
| Chest X-ray | Heart enlargement, pulmonary edema | Performed in coordination with imaging diagnostic center |
With a 365-day, 24-hour on-site emergency veterinarian system, immediate response is possible if acute cardiac deterioration (difficulty breathing, pulmonary edema, etc.) occurs. However, treatment response may vary depending on individual health status and disease stage, and the optimal treatment plan will be determined with the veterinarian after precision testing.
This is a good fit for you — Self-Assessment & Nearby Area Information
If any of the following items apply to you, consider visiting an animal medical center equipped with specialized heart treatment.
— You have a small, elderly dog (7 years or older) and have not yet had a heart examination
— Coughing frequency has increased, or symptoms of waking up and coughing while sleeping are observed
— Your dog suddenly avoids exercise or appears to tire easily
— You have been diagnosed with a heart murmur by a veterinarian but have not yet had detailed testing (cardiac ultrasound, etc.)
— Your dog is currently taking heart medication and you want to know about the timing of regular re-examination
— You are looking for a 24-hour animal medical center capable of specialized heart treatment
According to related clinical data, in MMVD stages B1 and B2, disease often progresses without special symptoms, so regular cardiac ultrasound examination plays a key role in early detection. Rather than feeling reassured just because there are no symptoms, it is important to make regular heart check-ups a routine for elderly and small breed dogs.
Not only those looking for animal hospitals in Daeyeon-dong, Nam-gu, Busan, but also those seeking dog heart treatment in Suyeong-gu, cardiac examination at animal hospitals in Haeundae, and companion animal internal medicine consultation in Yeonje-gu can visit. Additionally, those desiring specialized cardiac treatment at animal hospitals in Yangsan, as well as residents from nearby areas such as Gimhae, Changwon, and Ulsan can also visit. The appropriate timing of visits depending on individual condition will be determined together through veterinary consultation.
Feel Free to Consult. We Will Look Into It Together.
24H UN animal medical center protects your pet's heart health carefully together with owners, operating 365 days a year, 24 hours a day in Daeyeon-dong, Busan. Feel free to consult. We will look into it together.
According to related clinical data, coughing in dogs can be a representative signal of heart disease in elderly and small breed dogs, yet owners often confuse it with a simple cold. If the thought "they've been coughing lately, but it should be fine" crossed your mind, that moment might be when it's time to start consulting with a specialist.
Consultation and phone consultation are available even during nighttime, holidays, and emergency situations. Test results and treatment plans will be sufficiently explained to owners, and we will discuss future management directions together. If you are concerned about your pet's condition, please feel free to contact us first.
You're curious about this
Q1. How can I tell if my dog has early symptoms of heart disease?
In the early stages, there are often no symptoms. As the disease progresses, frequent coughing (especially waking up coughing), easy fatigue, increased respiratory rate, and exercise avoidance may appear. If you have an elderly or small breed dog, immediate veterinary treatment is recommended when such changes are observed. Even without symptoms, regular heart check-ups can help with early detection.
Q2. What is the procedure for cardiac ultrasound examination? Is anesthesia needed?
Cardiac ultrasound is generally performed as a non-invasive test without anesthesia. Most are completed within 10-20 minutes, and the examination is conducted with the dog in a comfortable position to prevent anxiety during the procedure. Through test results, the heart's size, structure, and blood flow status can be directly confirmed, which is important for determining disease stage and establishing a treatment plan.
Q3. Why is NT-proBNP (heart biomarker) testing necessary?
NT-proBNP is a biomarker that confirms through blood the degree of burden the heart is experiencing. When performed together with cardiac ultrasound, it helps to more precisely determine the disease stage, and during treatment, it is also used for periodic monitoring of heart condition changes. Interpretation of values and clinical judgment must always be performed individually by a veterinarian.
Q4. My dog is taking heart medication. Do I need regular re-examinations?
Yes, if your dog is taking heart medication, regular re-examination is important. Drug response varies for each individual, and disease may progress over time. Regularly checking cardiac ultrasound and biomarker values while reviewing treatment plans such as drug dosage adjustments is key to long-term management. Determine the re-examination interval through consultation with your veterinarian.
This content has been prepared in compliance with Article 32 of the Veterinary Medicine Act, and specific matters should be discussed with a specialist.