Heart Health and Your Rottweiler

Quick answer

Rottweilers are known for their strength and loyalty, but they are also prone to specific heart conditions that require proactive monitoring. While some heart issues are congenital, others can develop over time. By establishing a baseline for your dog's normal behavior, breathing, and energy levels, you will be better equipped to notice the subtle signs of heart distress early, allowing for timely intervention by your veterinary team.

Mitral Valve Dysplasia

Mitral valve dysplasia is a structural abnormality that affects how the heart pumps blood. In this condition, the valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle does not close properly, leading to backflow. This is well recognised in the breed. At home, you might notice your dog tiring more easily during walks, coughing, or showing a general lack of enthusiasm for activities they once enjoyed. Your vet will typically listen for a heart murmur during a routine physical exam. To confirm the diagnosis, they will likely use an echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound of the heart, to visualize the valve structure and measure the severity of the blood flow disruption. Urgency is determined by the presence of fluid in the lungs or signs of heart failure, such as difficulty breathing while resting.

Infective Endocarditis

Infective endocarditis is a serious infection that targets the inner lining of the heart and the heart valves. This is well recognised in the breed, and it is observed more frequently in males. Because this condition involves an active infection, you may notice signs that differ from chronic heart disease, such as a fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, or lameness due to the spread of infection to the joints. Your vet will conduct blood work to look for signs of systemic inflammation and infection. An echocardiogram is essential to identify the presence of growths, known as vegetations, on the heart valves. This condition is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention, as the infection can cause rapid and severe damage to the heart's ability to function.

Subaortic Stenosis

Subaortic stenosis involves a narrowing of the area just below the aortic valve, which forces the heart to work much harder to pump blood to the rest of the body. This is well recognised in the breed. You might not see obvious signs in the early stages, but as the condition progresses, you may notice your dog fainting, appearing weak, or struggling to keep up during exercise. The vet will look for a distinct heart murmur during a physical checkup. An echocardiogram is the standard test to confirm the narrowing and assess how much pressure the heart is under. The urgency of this condition depends on how much the narrowing restricts blood flow and whether the dog is experiencing fainting episodes, which are a major red flag for heart health.