Prevent the Worst

There's no doubt that your loveable pooch holds a special place in your heart—he is, after all, a member of the family. What you have to keep in mind, however, is that just like a child, his health is in your hands. In addition to regular check-ups to monitor Spot's heart, there's a lot more that you can do to help keep him happy and healthy. Feed him a balanced diet, allow him to get regular exercise—an overweight dog is likely to be less healthy than a fit one.

Steer clear of the heartache involved with seeing the family pet become ill. Care for him properly and take him to the vet often for check-ups. In the event that he is found to suffer from a heart condition, it can be nipped in the bud early on with the proper pet heart medication. However, do all that you can to keep him healthy in the meantime.