Dogs
What is mitral valve disease?
It is a heart condition where the mitral valve (the valve on the left side of the heart) fails to function properly.
Who are most commonly affected?
Studies show that this disease are common in adult dogs or older dogs that are small to medium sized breeds. High prevalence of the disease were found in King Charles spaniel, Chihuahua, miniature poodle, miniature pinscher, terriers and miniature schnauzers.
What causes mitral valve disease in dogs?
This condition is caused by the accumulation of plaque in a dog's heart valve. Because the mitral valve is unable to function properly, blood is leaked back to the atrium (upper chamber) of the heart. As a result, the heart tries to pump harder to deliver blood to the atrium which can lead to congestive heart failure.
What are the symptoms of this condition?
Symptoms may not be obvious right away but as the condition worsens, a dog with this condition may have difficulty breathing and may experience frequent coughing. Clinical examinations on dogs may show heart murmur, a weak pulse and an increased heart rate.
How can this disease be prevented?
Although the exact cause of plaque accumulation cannot be specified, studies show that a dog's diet and physical activity plays a big role in preventing complications. Medical experts suspect that genetic predisposition is also a major factor in acquiring the disease.
What tests are needed to diagnose this condition?
A complete blood count(CBC), urinalysis, chest x-rays, electrocardiogram, and ultrasound heart examination are usually conducted to diagnose the problem. Regular check-up with your veterinary is a must since early detection can help improve your dog's condition.
What is the treatment for mitral valve disease?
As of yet, there is no cure for this disease. Although mitral valve replacement is done in humans, mitral valve surgery or mitral valve repair is not done in dogs. Presently, medications are available to help improve the dog's heart and alleviate some of its symptoms. A low sodium diet can also help prevent further complications.
- Ask The Vet With Dr. Mark: What To Expect With Congestive Heart Failure
by Mark Nunez, DVM © courtesy Pawns via FlickrFrom @peppyrush via Twitter: My dog has heart failure. What should I expect as he deteriorates? Apart from the obvious which I can’t bare L x-----------------------------------------------------------...
- Canine Congestive Heart Failure
Canines, unlike humans, are not diagnosed by heart attacks, but suffer from a condition what is diagnosed as heart failure. Such a condition signifies that the heart of the animals is slowing down with time and requires immediate medical attention....
- Congestive Heart Failure In Dogs
Congestive heart failure in dogs is a slow process, in which the heart fails to provide the body with adequate blood circulation. The heart slowly becomes weak and slowly the other organs of the body also cease to work. Congestive heart failure in...
- Enlarged Heart In Dogs
Enlarged heart is a common health issue in middle-aged male canines of larger breeds. In this condition, also known as dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), the heart deteriorates to a point where it ceases to pump blood throughout the body. With time, this...
- Dog Heart Attack Symptoms
Many dogs suffer from various heart diseases. The causes are quite similar to those in humans. Old age, diabetes and obesity are the main triggers. In young dogs, heart failure can result from congenital abnormalities while in case of older dogs...
Dogs
Mitral Valve Disease and Dogs
What is mitral valve disease?It is a heart condition where the mitral valve (the valve on the left side of the heart) fails to function properly.
Who are most commonly affected?
Studies show that this disease are common in adult dogs or older dogs that are small to medium sized breeds. High prevalence of the disease were found in King Charles spaniel, Chihuahua, miniature poodle, miniature pinscher, terriers and miniature schnauzers.
What causes mitral valve disease in dogs?
This condition is caused by the accumulation of plaque in a dog's heart valve. Because the mitral valve is unable to function properly, blood is leaked back to the atrium (upper chamber) of the heart. As a result, the heart tries to pump harder to deliver blood to the atrium which can lead to congestive heart failure.
What are the symptoms of this condition?
Symptoms may not be obvious right away but as the condition worsens, a dog with this condition may have difficulty breathing and may experience frequent coughing. Clinical examinations on dogs may show heart murmur, a weak pulse and an increased heart rate.
How can this disease be prevented?
Although the exact cause of plaque accumulation cannot be specified, studies show that a dog's diet and physical activity plays a big role in preventing complications. Medical experts suspect that genetic predisposition is also a major factor in acquiring the disease.
What tests are needed to diagnose this condition?
A complete blood count(CBC), urinalysis, chest x-rays, electrocardiogram, and ultrasound heart examination are usually conducted to diagnose the problem. Regular check-up with your veterinary is a must since early detection can help improve your dog's condition.
What is the treatment for mitral valve disease?
As of yet, there is no cure for this disease. Although mitral valve replacement is done in humans, mitral valve surgery or mitral valve repair is not done in dogs. Presently, medications are available to help improve the dog's heart and alleviate some of its symptoms. A low sodium diet can also help prevent further complications.
- Ask The Vet With Dr. Mark: What To Expect With Congestive Heart Failure
by Mark Nunez, DVM © courtesy Pawns via FlickrFrom @peppyrush via Twitter: My dog has heart failure. What should I expect as he deteriorates? Apart from the obvious which I can’t bare L x-----------------------------------------------------------...
- Canine Congestive Heart Failure
Canines, unlike humans, are not diagnosed by heart attacks, but suffer from a condition what is diagnosed as heart failure. Such a condition signifies that the heart of the animals is slowing down with time and requires immediate medical attention....
- Congestive Heart Failure In Dogs
Congestive heart failure in dogs is a slow process, in which the heart fails to provide the body with adequate blood circulation. The heart slowly becomes weak and slowly the other organs of the body also cease to work. Congestive heart failure in...
- Enlarged Heart In Dogs
Enlarged heart is a common health issue in middle-aged male canines of larger breeds. In this condition, also known as dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), the heart deteriorates to a point where it ceases to pump blood throughout the body. With time, this...
- Dog Heart Attack Symptoms
Many dogs suffer from various heart diseases. The causes are quite similar to those in humans. Old age, diabetes and obesity are the main triggers. In young dogs, heart failure can result from congenital abnormalities while in case of older dogs...