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Mitral Valve Dysplasia - Issue Description

Issue Name

Mitral Valve Dysplasia

Other Names
N/A

Issue Description

The heart consists of 4 chambers - 2 atria and 2 ventricles. The atrioventricular (AV) valves ensure that the blood flows from the atria to the ventricles when the heart beats. A defect in the mitral valve (the left atrioventricular valve) causes backflow of blood into the left atrium, or mitral regurgitation. Less commonly, a narrowing or stenosis of the valve can be identified. Because of the leaky valve, the heart is less efficient at pumping blood to the body. Mitral valve insufficiency is the most common acquired cardiac disease in older dogs, affecting over one third of dogs greater than 10 years of age. In some breeds however, mitral insufficiency develops at a much younger age, due to an inherited predisposition for this disorder.

In some breeds, abnormal development (dysplasia) of the valve has been identified in the embryo.

Symptoms

Over time changes will occur in your dog's heart because of the increased work to make up for the insufficient, or leaky, mitral valve. Early signs that the heart is no longer able to compensate for mitral valve disease may include a reduced tolerance for exercise, difficulties in breathing, or a cough at night or at rest. All of these occur because of a build-up of fluid in the lungs. Other signs of a gradually failing heart include fainting, weakness, or collapse, which may be due to an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia).

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian may detect a heart murmur before your dog is showing any signs associated with mitral valve disease. Further investigation by radiographs and electrocardiogram may reveal some of the changes that occur in the heart over time, as it works harder to compensate for the insufficiency of the mitral valve. These changes may include enlargement of the left side of the heart, enlargement of blood vessels in the lungs, and cardiac arrhythmias.

Causes

Although the pattern of inheritance has not been identified, it is agreed that there is a genetic basis for the early development of mitral valve disease.

Treatment

There is no cure for mitral valve disease but your veterinarian can recommend medical therapy to ease life for your dog. Depending on the stage of heart disease, this may include a special sodium-restricted diet, exercise restriction, diuretics, and medication to support the failing heart.

Breeds Most Affected

There is a relatively high incidence of early development of mitral valve disease in the:

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cairn Terrier

Miniature Poodle

Bull Terrier (particularly in the United Kingdom).

It is also seen, not as commonly:

Miniature Pinscher

Toy and Standard Poodle

Boston Terrier

Whippet, Chihuahua

Pekingese

Dachshund

Beagle

Papillon

Great Dane

German Shepherd

In general, small breeds are most often affected. Some studies show a greater incidence in males than in females.

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