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Mitral Valve Disease In Dogs
Mitral valve disease in dogs is the most common canine heart disease veterinarians see, making up 75 percent of all canine heart problems. It's also known as degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD), and myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). Although estimates vary from study to study, it's estimated that about 3.5 percent of all dogs attending a veterinary practice will have mitral valve disease at any one time, with the incidence increasing as dogs age.
Because it's so common, it's important to know what this disease is and how veterinarians treat it. Let's discuss mitral valve disease in dogs in more detail.
What Is Mitral Valve Disease?Mitral valve disease (MVD) in dogs is a disease of the heart. The mitral valve is a valve that sits between the left atrium and the left ventricle to prevent a backflow of blood when the heart contracts. It changes shape due to the disease, meaning it doesn't fit the space properly.
Instead of preventing a backflow of blood, the thickened, misshapen valve leaks, causing blood to flow back the wrong way. This is why the condition is sometimes called mitral valve regurgitation. Veterinarians can hear this backflow with a stethoscope as a heart murmur.
This backflow of blood causes problems. It means the atrium isn't empty when new blood enters, so less blood can fit in. Because less blood is being pumped, a dog's heart has to pump faster to get the same amount of blood around the body, which causes the heart to grow larger, taking up more space in the chest. Because less blood can fit in the atrium, there's a build-up of blood returning from the lungs. Even though the atrium grows in size to accommodate the excess blood, the backlog eventually causes fluid to accumulate in the lungs. This is called congestive heart failure, and it's the end stage of mitral valve disease.
Mitral valve disease in dogs is a degenerative change that happens as pets age, so it's more common in older dogs. Some dog breeds are more prone to MVD and may get degenerative heart changes and a heart murmur earlier in life. It's most common in dogs under 44 pounds – however when dogs over 44 pounds are affected, they have a worse prognosis. It's also more common in males than females, although we aren't sure why.
Causes of Dog Mitral Valve DiseaseMitral valve disease is a degenerative disease – it gets worse over time, with the valves slowly becoming more thickened and less able to control the flow of blood. We don't know entirely what causes mitral valve disease in dogs, but there are several contributing factors.
Genetics definitely play a large part, as is seen with some breeds being more affected than others. Breeds at higher risk of mitral valve disease include:
As well as breed and genetics, we know that some other things are associated with a higher risk of MVD in dogs. Bacterial infection of the heart valves (called endocarditis) is one thing that increases the risk of mitral valve disease in dogs. While severe endocarditis is rare, some diseases, like periodontitis – a common dental infection – can introduce bacteria to the blood that can damage the heart valves.
Symptoms of Mitral Valve Disease in Dogs
© Provided by Great Pet Care Pomeranian with lethargy The first symptom of mitral valve disease in dogs is usually a heart murmur. This is usually not audible without a stethoscope, so you may not realize your dog has a heart murmur until a routine visit with your veterinarian.
As your dog progresses through the stages of MVD, they will get more symptoms. These include:
In a small breed dog who is getting older, mitral valve disease is highly likely, so if your vet hears a murmur during a routine examination, they will often make a presumptive diagnosis. For treatment purposes, a definitive diagnosis and disease staging is useful.
Your veterinarian will need to run blood tests, take your dog's blood pressure, and will recommend an ultrasound, an X-ray, or both. This heart ultrasound may need to be done by a specialist, so you may be referred to a cardiologist to have these tests completed.
Not only do these tests confirm that your dog has mitral valve disease (rather than another heart disease of dogs), but working out the stage of the disease allows vets to decide when to start treatment, and which medications to use.
Stages of Dog Mitral Valve Disease in DogsWhen diagnosing mitral valve disease in dogs, vets will diagnose a 'stage' of the disease. These stages are labelled A-D, and are based on which clinical signs are present. They were suggested by the world's top canine cardiologists in the ACVIM consensus and are very useful for planning treatment.
Dogs start at a lower stage (A or B), and progress through the stages as their disease worsens, with stage D being the last – and most severe – stage. Let's look at the stages of MVD in more detail:
Stage AStage A dogs are those that are at high risk, but who don't currently have abnormalities. They don't have a heart murmur, and there would be no changes on heart ultrasound or on an x-ray. Every dog in the high-risk breed list above can be considered to have stage A mitral valve disease.
Stage BStage B describes dogs that have physical changes from mitral valve disease (which may result in a heart murmur), but that have not had symptoms of heart failure. These dogs will usually have had a heart murmur picked up on a routine exam. If further investigations into these murmurs are undertaken, stage B dogs can also be separated into two further categories – B1 and B2.
This separation has come because the results of a clinical trial suggested that medicating dogs in the B2 category can help – if your dog's heart changes meet a set of predetermined criteria, the benefit of medication is higher than the risk, and your vet will recommend they start treatment. These dogs are still stage B though, as they haven't yet had heart failure symptoms.
Stage CDogs in stage C have a heart murmur, physical changes to their heart, and have (or have had in the past) symptoms of heart failure, such as coughing. These symptoms don't have to be current, because dogs may have been started on treatment and the symptoms have lessened or temporarily disappeared. However, it's important to remember that this is a progressive disease – despite initial good response to treatment, all dogs will eventually have further episodes of congestive heart failure.
Stage DStage D dogs have all of the above, but their heart failure is now so severe that standard treatments are no longer effective. Advanced or even surgical treatments are now necessary to maintain the dog's quality of life. This is end-stage mitral valve disease in dogs, and at this point you will need to carefully monitor your dog's quality of life and consider euthanasia when it becomes poor.
Mitral Valve Disease Treatment and Management for Dogs
© Provided by Great Pet Care Vet treating dog mitral valve disease It's important to understand that dog mitral valve disease will progressively get worse, even with treatment. However, treatment can slow the progression of the disease, as well as give your dog a better quality of life for longer. The type of treatment your dog requires will depend on the stage, with treatment recommendations starting at Stage B2.
Treatment for Mitral Valve Disease Stage AYour dog will not need any treatment, but you may request regular monitoring or screening as they get older..
Treatment for Mitral Valve Disease Stage B1No treatment is indicated for dogs with stage B1 MVD, but it's recommended you carefully monitor them at home and that X-rays/ultrasounds are repeated in 6-12 months.
Treatment for Mitral Valve Disease Stage B2At this stage, your vet will start to recommend some low-risk treatments. This includes changing your dog's diet to a low salt option, ensuring that it has enough calories and protein to help your dog maintain their weight as the disease progresses.
A medication called pimobendan may also be recommended – this will need to be given twice daily for the rest of your dog's life. Regular measurements of your dog's resting breathing rate can offer an early warning system for heart failure.
Treatment for Mitral Valve Disease Stage C and DAs dogs progress to stage C and D, other drugs are added to the mix. Alongside pimobendan, your dog may be prescribed furosemide, torsemide, spironolactone, benazepril, digoxin, or amlodipine. Omega fatty acids may also be recommended.
You will need to carefully monitor your dog at home, ensure they eat properly, and keep good track of their medications. They may need to be admitted to the hospital for oxygen therapy and high-dose injectable drugs in severe episodes. Once these episodes have quietened back down, your dog can usually return home with adjustments to their medications.
At these later stages of canine MVD, your dog will usually be visiting the vets every couple of months for monitoring visits.
Surgery for Dogs with Mitral Valve DiseaseRecently, mitral valve repair and replacement surgeries have been trialled on dogs, with some good success. There are a few specialist centers in the world that can repair or replace the mitral valve in dogs. It's generally used in dogs of stage C or more, as this surgery obviously has significant risks, but some stage B2 patients may also be eligible. You will need to be prepared to travel, often a long distance, to get heart surgery for your dog, and your dog needs to be well enough for the journey.
Mitral Valve Disease in Dogs: Life ExpectancyThe average life expectancy of a dog with mitral valve disease is just a year once dogs are in stage C.
Every dog is different, and they will go through the stages of mitral valve disease at different rates. Small dogs tend to progress through the stages more slowly than large dogs, who can have a far worse prognosis.
Cost to Treat Mitral Valve Disease in DogsAs mitral valve disease is progressive, costs will increase over time as more and more treatments are necessary. To begin with, investigations into a murmur heard at a routine examination are likely to cost $150-$500, depending on exactly which tests are necessary. This should be covered by your dog's insurance, as long as you took out the policy before your vet heard the heart murmur.
Once dogs are into stage C, the huge variety of drugs they require, plus regular consultations to ensure they're getting the right dose, can quickly add up. Budget $50-$150 per month, with money in reserve for a hospital stay. Luckily, insurance policies should also cover this stage, although with some time-limited policies, your time might be up before your dog reaches this more intensive (and expensive!) stage of treatment.
Surgery is extremely expensive, as it's a specialist procedure requiring many highly trained personnel, extensive monitoring, and complex equipment that is expensive to maintain. This sort of procedure is well beyond most insurance policies, coming in at around $30,000. You'll also need to factor in travel to the surgery and an extended stay, especially if they don't operate in your country.
How to Prevent Mitral Valve Disease in DogsUnfortunately, there's not much you can do to prevent mitral valve disease in dogs. Keeping your dog's teeth clean will reduce the risk of bacteria in the blood damaging the heart valves. While this may help some cases however, it isn't the main cause of MVD, and many dogs will get the disease despite having good teeth. Scheduling regular check-ups with your veterinarian should lead to early diagnosis, meaning you can start treatment as soon as it's indicated. You should also consider only buying puppies from parents who are regularly undergoing heart checks.
ConclusionMVD is a common, life-limiting disease that steadily gets worse over time. It's unpredictable how fast dogs move through the stages of MVD, with some dogs staying in stage B1 for a very long time, meaning they can have a great quality of life with little to no interventions.
Once dogs have signs of congestive heart failure, interventions increase, costs increase, and their prognosis becomes poorer.
The post Mitral Valve Disease in Dogs appeared first on Great Pet Care.
This Common Symptom May Be A Sign Of 'hidden Health Concerns' In Your Dog
A dog nutritionist has warned owners that it could be a sign of underlying health issues including medical conditions like respiratory infections and kidney disease. (Image: Getty Images)
Bad breath is a common symptom that often goes 'unnoticed' by dog owners but it could be a sign of 'hidden' health concerns.
A dog nutritionist has warned owners that it could be a sign of underlying health issues including medical conditions like respiratory infections and kidney disease.
The experts at Tuggs have also identified that there are certain dog breeds that are affected more than others.
Katie McCaul (BSc DipNat VN ANutR), an expert nutritionist at Tuggs, has noted that Pugs, Bulldogs, and French Bulldogs are among the breeds that are most commonly affected.
Bournemouth Echo: Here's what causes bad breath in dogs and some solutions to help. ( Getty Images)
Here's what causes bad breath in dogs and some solutions to help. ( Getty Images) (Image: Getty Images)
"Brachycephalic dogs (those with short noses) tend to have a higher risk of bad breath as the teeth can be forced closer together, allowing food to be trapped and result in unpleasant smells," said Ms McCaul.
"This can also include dogs with less exaggerated flat faces, like Boxer and Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
"A build-up of plaque and tartar on the teeth can lead to bacterial growth, causing a foul odour. If left untreated, it can progress to gum disease and tooth decay".
What causes bad breath in dogs?Poor Dental Hygiene
The most common cause of bad breath in dogs - also known as halitosis - is due to poor dental and oral hygiene.
The expert nutritionist explained: "Before becoming domesticated, dogs would naturally clean their teeth by chewing on carcasses.
"As dogs' diets have changed over time and the foods that they consume have become softer, it's become more common for dogs to experience a build-up of tartar which can lead to gum disease and bad breath."
Solution
Katie McCaul has suggested that to tackle this problem, owners should find their dogs a quality chew that they can eat for at least half an hour a week.
Ms McCaul also suggested teaching your pet to tolerate tooth brushing as well as looking at some natural products that contain seaweed as these are proven to reduce plaque.
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This is why you should never feed chocolate to dogsMedical Conditions
Tugg's nutritionist has also warned owners that 'persistent and foul-smelling breath' can be a sign of underlying medical conditions that produce gases and unpleasant smells.
Ms McCaul commented: "It can be a sign of a poor microbiome or digestive and gastrointestinal issues.
"Other problems can include kidney disease, diabetes, liver problems and respiratory infections."
Solution
The nutritionist has urged owners to seek advice from a vet if their dog is 'displaying unusual behaviour' or if the smell continues to worsen.
Ms McCaul has also suggested adding probiotics to improve your dog's digestive health, or switching them to a fresh diet in order to improve their oral microbiome."
Diet
Another cause of bad breath in your dog could be due to its diet.
Ms McCaul reminded owners that foods, like fish and liver, can have strong smells and can cause temporary bad breath in dogs.
She added: "A poor-quality diet can also cause dental and overall health problems, resulting in bad breath in dogs."
Bournemouth Echo: Chewing habits and poor diet are among the causes of bad breath in dogs. ( Getty Images)
Chewing habits and poor diet are among the causes of bad breath in dogs. ( Getty Images) (Image: Getty Images)
Solution
To counter bad breath caused by poor diet, Ms McCaul recommends Tuggs' insect-based recipes.
She said: "They are made sustainably with 100% fresh ingredients, meaning no bad breath, sore tummies or extra baggage as insects provide a well-balanced, complete meal and are packed with essential amino acids, fats and minerals – making insects nutritionally comparable to meat and fish."
Chewing Habits
The Tuggs nutrionist has also explained that chewing on the wrong things can irritate a dog's gums and break teeth.
It can even cause loose objects or materials on the toy - like a rope toy for example - to break away and become lodged in your dog's mouth.
This can lead to infections that can cause bad breath, Ms McCaul explained.
Solution
Ms McCaul has recommended introducing toys, such as natural chew toys or rubbery toys, that can help remove tartar and plaque on your dog's teeth.
She added: "This will also help to keep them entertained for hours."
What Are Signs Of Heatstroke In Dogs, Cats?
© Provided by KLST San Angelo What are signs of heatstroke in dogs, cats? AUSTIN (KXAN) - Summer temperatures are in full swing in Central Texas, and with it comes the need for additional pet safety.
With temperatures climbing beyond triple-digit readings and high humidity levels, it doesn't take much time outside for your pet to feel the heat. While a midday trek outside spells out some discomfort for humans, it has even more profound - and possibly deadly - impacts on dogs and cats.
Limit midday outdoor time for petsFor pet owners, it's critical that you prioritize early morning or late evening walks with your dogs as opposed to an extended midday break. The reasoning is simple: Whatever the air temperature is at the moment, it's substantially hotter on concrete, pavement or other surfaces dogs are walking on.
Use your hand to test just how hot a sidewalk or road is before allowing your dog outside.
"If it's too hot for your own hand, just think - it's about two times as hot for your dog," Javier Valles, a dog behavior trainer at Austin Pets Alive!, told KXAN.
If you do need to let your dog out for a midday break, keep it short and try to keep them contained to grassy areas to protect their paws. You can also invest in a pair of dog booties for added precaution.
What are symptoms of heatstroke in dogs and cats?Extended time outdoors in the hot elements can translate to serious health complications for pets, including heatstroke.
Dogs and cats each exhibit similar symptoms for heatstroke, according to reporting from RSPCA Pet Insurance. Those warning signs include:
If your pet is exhibiting these signs, remove them from the heat immediately and spray cool water onto their fur, as well as place them in front of a fan to expedite heat loss. Experts suggest not using ice-cold water, which can exacerbate the problem.
It's recommended you take your pet to the nearest veterinarian or pet emergency room immediately. Even if it seems like their symptoms are progressing, it's still critical to ensure they aren't still at risk, RSPCA Pet Insurance added.
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