‘There’s a high risk of sudden death,’ warns vet over four dog breeds most likely to die of horror disease
A DOG expert has issued a stark warning about four breads that are more susceptible to a horror disease and are at risk of dying suddenly.
Ben the vet shared on TikTok the particular breeds vulnerable to cardiac issues.
The experienced vet highlighted key signs to look out for to prevent abrupt and fatal heart failure.
This is challenging for dog owners as several of the conditions present no symptoms.
Ben explained how more than 58 per cent of Dobermans over seven have "dilated cardiomyopathy".
He added: "This is a disease where the muscle in the wall of the heart starts to weaken leading eventually to heart failure but also a high risk of arrhythmias and sudden death."
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Sadly, Dobermans show no signs of distress and can drop dead in a park without warning.
Ben urges those with this breed to speak to their vet about having them screened from an early age.
This can allow any complications to be caught early, and the dog will be given medication to delay the start of any problems.
Boxers are another breed which suffers from several different heart conditions.
They are particularly prone to a congenital problem known as aortic or subaortic stenosis.
It causes a narrowing where blood exits the heart and flows to the rest of the body.
The majority of the time, these dog breeds only incur minor difficulties.
However, in severe cases, they can collapse while exercising and even die.
Ben added that they also can suffer from a "dilated cardiomyopathy," the same condition that affects Dobermans.
The dog expert revealed that by the age of ten, 90 per cent of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels develop mitral valve disease.
He added: "This is usually detected initially with a heart murmur but eventually can lead on to the dog going into heart failure, developing a cough and breathing abnormalities and unfortunately it is a cause of death for a lot of cavaliers."
Cavalier owners whose dogs suffer from murmurs should consult their vet if they haven't already.
More than a third of dogs seen with this very rare heart condition were golden retrievers, according to Ben.
They aren't at risk from any particular heart problem but are likely to develop a condition called "pericardial effusion".
It involves fluid build-up around the heart and gradually prevents it from effectively pumping blood around the body.
Ben added: "This can manifest as the dog becoming weaker and weaker and eventually collapsing."
The vet revealed that he'd only ever experienced two cases with this condition and both were golden retrievers.
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It comes after Ben shared a list of five dog breeds that he would never own.
And a British vet has revealed why feeding your dog war meat may not be the best idea.
