Could Anesthesia for a Dental Cleaning Have Caused Heart Disease in a Maltese?
by Ronnie
(Lexington, Ok)
We're very sorry about your Maltese. Anesthesia doesn't cause heart disease, but the fluids and stress of a procedure can tip a heart that was already struggling into failure. Small breeds like Maltese commonly develop mitral valve disease, which can enlarge the heart for years without obvious signs.
An enlarged heart pressing on the airway can cause a chronic hacking cough, and it's easy to mistake for an airway problem. You did nothing wrong. For future dogs with a murmur, ask your vet whether heart tests are needed before anesthesia.
See heart murmurs in dogs and heart disease in dogs.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
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