SHEET Mitral valve disease in dogs
Health info sheet
mitral valve disease in dogs
It's about a degenerative disease
of the valve between the left ventricle and the left atrium. It is the heart disease most frequently encountered in dogs, preferentially in small breeds with a slow evolution, less frequent in large breeds with a faster evolution.
Changes in the mitral valve lead to regurgitation of blood in the left atrium with progressive remodeling of the left atrium, the left ventricle and then at the end of the evolution of the right ventricle, leading to global heart failure.
The valvular lesion is responsible for a cardiac "hiss", an abnormal noise due to the turbulence of the blood flow caused by the valve's failure to close, which the veterinarian detects in consultation.
The intensity and location of the breath should be assessed. It should be noted that there are other cardiac pathologies responsible for murmurs.
The diagnosis is based on the intensity of the heart murmur, on the observation of clinical signs and the performance of additional examinations.
Changes in the mitral valve lead to regurgitation of blood in the left atrium with progressive remodeling of the left atrium, the left ventricle and then at the end of the evolution of the right ventricle, leading to global heart failure.
The valvular lesion is responsible for a cardiac "hiss", an abnormal noise due to the turbulence of the blood flow caused by the valve's failure to close, which the veterinarian detects in consultation.
The intensity and location of the breath should be assessed. It should be noted that there are other cardiac pathologies responsible for murmurs.
The diagnosis is based on the intensity of the heart murmur, on the observation of clinical signs and the performance of additional examinations.
The clinical signs are as follows:
- faster breathing,
- an increased heart rate,
- then a strong nocturnal cough, episodic then more frequent (as if the dog had something stuck in the throat),
- exercise intolerance.
The progressive deformation of the heart which enlarges leads to a global insufficiency which is manifested by the appearance of effusion in the abdomen and the thorax.
L'physical examination allows you to note the first signs.
It will be supplemented with frontal and profile radiological images to assess the size of the heart as well as the possible presence of signs of edema, but also to identify a pulmonary origin of the cough.
Echocardiography is the examination of choice to define the stage of mitral insufficiency and choose the treatment that will be implemented. It also makes it possible to monitor the evolution of the heart over time and to adapt the treatment during the life of the animal. A check-up every 6 months to 1 year is recommended.
In small breeds, this pathology develops relatively slowly. The treatment relieves the animal and provides it with the best possible living comfort, by gradually using different molecules alone and then combined according to the condition of each patient.
Finally, hygiene measures (food, keeping cool during extreme heat) complete the management of the dog with heart failure. The owner's observation of heart and respiratory rate at home also plays an important role in monitoring.
contact@vetosud.com
Vetosud Veterinary Clinic
96 Avenue Carnot
11100 Narbonne
04-68-65-04-05
