Vet’s 2025 Guide to Atherosclerosis in Dogs – Causes, Diagnosis & Management 🐶

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

💡 What Is Atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis—also known as “hardening of the arteries”—occurs when fatty material, cholesterol, calcium, and inflammatory cells build up inside arterial walls. This forms plaque, causing the vessels to narrow, stiffen, or even rupture, leading to serious issues like organ damage or clots.

⚠️ Which Dogs Are at Risk?

• Older dogs (>9 years), especially males
• Breed predisposition: Doberman Pinschers, Miniature Schnauzers, Poodles, Beagles, Labradors
• Underlying conditions: diabetes, hypothyroidism, Cushing’s, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, pancreatitis, obesity, chronic steroid use, infection (e.g., Chlamydia)
• Schnauzers with chronic pancreatitis: imaging shows extensive vascular calcification, indicating subclinical atherosclerosis

🧬 Pathophysiology Overview

• High cholesterol/triglycerides → lipid deposits in the arterial intima
• Inflammation leads to foam cells, smooth-muscle proliferation, and calcification
• Over time, plaques may rupture or turn fibrotic, risking clots and organ infarcts

🎯 Clinical Signs

• Lethargy, poor appetite, weakness, collapse
• Difficulty breathing, fainting, disorientation, circling, visual deficits
• Organ-specific issues: heart attack, kidney injury, liver necrosis, sudden blindness or limb pain

🔬 How We Diagnose It

• History, exam & risk assessment based on breed and concurrent conditions
• Blood tests: cholesterol/triglycerides, thyroid panel, CRP, glucose, organ enzymes
• Urinalysis and blood pressure evaluation
• Imaging (X-ray, ultrasound, CT): detect calcified vessels and narrowing, especially in Schnauzers
• Electrocardiography for cardiac function
• Definitive diagnosis via histopathology—rarely done ante-mortem

💊 Treatment Strategies

• Treat underlying conditions: Manage diabetes, hypothyroidism (e.g., levothyroxine), Cushing’s, hypertension (ACE inhibitors)
• Lipid-lowering therapy: Consider fibrates (e.g., gemfibrozil) or statins; adjust diet for low-fat, high-fiber nutrition
• Antithrombotic therapy: Low-dose aspirin or clopidogrel if clots are suspected
• Inflammation control: Treat infections and reduce CRP by managing pancreatitis and endocrine issues
• Supportive care: Fluid therapy, nutritional support, organ-specific management

🏡 Long-Term Care & Lifestyle

• Regular monitoring: blood lipids, organ panels, blood pressure every 3–6 months
• Annual imaging to assess plaque progression, especially in high-risk Schnauzers
• Weight control and consistent daily exercise
• Strict control of concurrent diseases to slow plaque development

📈 Prognosis & Outlook

Canine atherosclerosis is rare but serious. Early detection and management of risk factors can slow progression. Outcome depends on severity and organ involvement—some dogs stabilize with treatment, but advanced disease may lead to chronic issues or life-threatening events.

📲 Owner & Vet Tools

• Ask A Vet: Telehealth support for medication dosing and monitoring risk factors

🌟 Case Study

Case: Two older Miniature Schnauzers with chronic pancreatitis and systemic hypertension had vascular calcification visible on radiographs/CT. After low-fat diet, ACE inhibitors, and pancreatitis control, both remained stable with no new symptoms after 6+ months.

✅ Key Takeaways

• Atherosclerosis in dogs is uncommon but associated with endocrine/metabolic disease and certain breeds
• Calcified arteries on imaging warrant further work-up of metabolic health
• Treating the underlying disease and lowering lipids are crucial
• Ongoing monitoring and lifestyle changes can stabilize the disease
• Ask A Vet and smart feeding tools make long-term management smoother 🐾

📥 Need Support?

If your dog has high cholesterol, calcified vessels, or related symptoms, download the Ask A Vet app for expert guidance. Visit AskAVet.com for 24/7 support on diagnostics, medications, and care strategies. 🩺🐾