{"id":1025,"date":"2022-02-01T17:05:47","date_gmt":"2022-02-01T17:05:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/?p=1025"},"modified":"2025-09-10T17:12:48","modified_gmt":"2025-09-10T17:12:48","slug":"mitral-valve-disease-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maven.pet\/all-about-pets\/pet-health\/dog-conditions\/mitral-valve-disease-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"Mitral Valve Disease in Dogs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Diseases are never fun to talk about\u2026 But it\u2019s important to learn about them, as it can help us prolong our buddies\u2019 lives. In this post, we\u2019ll be looking into Mitral Valve Disease in dogs<\/strong>. A degenerative disease of the heart’s valves, Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) is the most common cause of a heart murmur in canines. While it comprises 75% of all heart diseases in dogs, it\u2019s considered uncommon in cats. Let\u2019s learn more about this condition!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mitral Valve Disease in Dogs – what is it?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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As you probably know, the canine\u2019s (and human\u2019s) heart is responsible for pumping blood around the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The heart has four chambers, called the right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, and left ventricle. To enter each chamber there is a valve, which is a one-way door. Those valves are responsible for keeping the blood flowing in the proper direction. The mitral valve is the valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MVD is a degeneration and fibrosis of the heart’s mitral valve. As the diseased mitral valve degenerates, the valve becomes thickened and shorter. This causes the valve to lose its flexibility, leading to an incomplete seal, and allowing blood to leak back (be regurgitated) into the left atrium. This abnormal flow of blood causes the turbulence we can hear with a stethoscope, called a heart murmur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mitral Valve Disease in Dogs – what are the consequences?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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As blood starts to enter the left atrium in two directions at once, the left ventricle has to increase the force of its contraction, which in turn leads to enlargement of the heart. This means the heart has to work harder to pump the volume of blood the body needs for normal functions, which may lead to congestive heart failure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This degeneration of the valve comes from a progressively degenerative process of unclear origin (although presumably genetic). Senior dogs, small dog breeds and certain other breeds are predisposed, such as: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Poodle, Chihuahua, Pinscher, Cocker Spaniel, Fox Terrier, and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mitral Valve Disease in Dogs – what are the signs?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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On its own, a heart murmur is often accompanied by absolutely no signs. That\u2019s why it\u2019s so important to have your veterinarian check your dog\u2019s heart for any murmurs on a yearly basis. Once the heart murmur is detected, according to the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, an echocardiogram should be performed every 6 months, so the disease can be  detected in its early stages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Not sure if your dog is sick?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get a better idea of your dog\u2019s current health status with our quick quiz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Take the quiz<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

As previously mentioned, <\/strong>a heart murmur can progress into congestive heart failure. In this case, you will see symptoms like cough, exercise intolerance or difficulty breathing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other signs like lethargy, fainting, reduced appetite, collapsing, swelling in the abdomen and muscle loss can also be detected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mitral Valve Disease in Dogs – how can it be treated?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Unfortunately, a cure for Mitral Valve Disease in dogs does not exist. A combination of drugs is used to control the signs and prolong life with the best quality of life possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are different treatment plans depending on what stage of heart disease the dog is. There are five stages:<\/p>\n\n\n\n