It's important that you and your dog pay regular visits to the vet. This gives the vet the greatest possible chance for early detection of heart disease. It also allows the vet to monitor your dog's treatment.

The vet will pick up clues to any heart-related problems with a thorough physical examination of your dog. By listening to your dog's heart with a stethoscope, the vet can assess heart rate and rhythm, and detect a murmur if one is present.

Your vet might also recommend radiographs (or X-rays) for your dog. These tests will help the vet detect fluid on the lungs, or an increase in heart size.

Your vet can also use a type of test called an electrocardiogram (ECG) to record the electrical activity of the heart. This helps diagnose problems with the rhythm of your dog's heartbeat.

Finally, your vet might want an ultrasound taken of your dog's heart. She will use the same ultrasound technique that is employed to check the health of babies in the womb. They're ideal for providing a clear 3-D picture of your dog's heart in action, allowing your vet to accurately observe the heart's walls, chambers, valves and blood vessels. Whilst ultrasound is one of the most accurate methods of diagnosing heart failure, it may not be necessary in some of the more straight forward cases of heart failure.