Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease in Dogs

What is mitral valve disease?

Degenerative mitral valve disease is a condition in which the leaflets of the valves in the heart grow thickened and nodular. This leads to mitral valve regurgitation and left side of the heart volume advantages dog. Mitral valve disease is a common reason behind congestive heart failure in dogs and mitral valve insufficiency is actually the most common heart disease acquired in the old dog. In dogs age 10 years and older, 1/3 will suffer mitral valve insufficiency.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog has a form of high-risk mitral valve disease heritage that makes them a tendency to develop mitral valve disease while still young enough. Other Breeds associated with a higher incidence of mitral valve disease is a Beagle, Bull Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Chihuahua, Tekel, Doberman, German Shepherd, Great Dane, Miniature Papillion, Pinschers, howl, Whippets, and all 3 sizes of Poodles. As you can see, most of these dogs are small offspring.

Mitral valve disease symptoms in dogs

The first symptoms of mitral valve disease usually heart murmurs. The presence of heart murmurs do not mean that the dog seriously ill, but simply a condition that may develop into mitral valve disease. Many dogs with heart murmurs diagnosed live a full life span. Even dogs who develop heart murmurs at an early age can be just as old as the normal breed. Heart murmurs can be caused by a variety of different health problems mitral valve problems are one. In order to diagnose mitral valve disease, veterinarians have to set any sound regurgitation.

In the case of a mild heart murmurs, the dog will usually show no symptoms at all, except for the voice veterinarian can hear when listening to the heart. If the mitral valve disease progresses, symptoms may include more audible murmurs, weakness, exercise intolerance, and increased respiratory level. Finally, the liquid can start to accumulate in the lungs of dogs, which causes sore breath and cough.

Mitral valve disease treatment for dogs?

Heart murmurs in dogs are evaluated from 1 to 6, where class 1 showed a mild heart murmur and heart murmurs Grade 6 abbreviation seriously. The exact treatment depends on the severity of heart murmurs, combined with other symptoms displayed by your dog.

For mitral valve disease only causes mild heart murmurs, can be treated with dietary changes. Keep your dog on a low-sodium diet is important. Some breeders Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog has noticed improvement when giving their dog Co-enzyme Q10, but this treatment has not been scientifically validated for dogs. Numerous studies have shown that the Still Co-enzyme Q10 can be used to improve the condition of patients with certain types of heart disease.

If the mitral valve disease expand further, diuretic and vasodilation medications can be given to dogs to prevent coughing and laboured breathing.