Weight and muscle loss in adult pets or stunted growth in puppies or kittens can indicate heart disease.
Puppies and kittens that are not growing normally should be carefully examined by a veterinarian
Puppies and kittens that fail to thrive—especially when compared to their littermates—should have a careful examination. Your veterinarian will want to ensure there are no birth defects in the heart. However, many young animals that are born with a heart defect can grow normally. Other symptoms, such as a heart murmur, are often present in animals with a birth defect affecting the heart.
A dog with heart disease showing weight and muscle loss, termed cachexia. Cachexia is usually seen first over the back.
For more information on weight loss in pets with heart disease, visit our Nutrition page.
Weight and muscle loss are relatively non-specific findings that could indicate an issue in many other body systems.