Studies suggest that myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is dogs’ most commonly diagnosed congenital heart disease. This condition primarily affects older, small to medium-breed dogs but can also occur in large breeds.
While there is no guarantee on how long your dog will live with the disease, the prognosis for MMVD is generally positive. Most mitral valve diseases can be treated by reparative surgery or medication. But some cases might require euthanasia.
What Is Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease?
MMVD occurs when abnormal thickening or bulging ridges develop on the heart valves, which are located at the base of the heart and work to control blood flow through the heart’s chambers and out their aorta to the rest of their body.
This condition worsens as it progresses due to a buildup of fluid in the left side of their heart (where the mitral valve is located), which makes it harder for blood to pump through. While this happens in both dogs’ hearts with MMVD, it usually occurs more quickly in smaller breeds because their valves are weaker than in large dogs.
What Are The Symptoms?
- Heart murmur
- Coughing
- Loss of energy and exercise intolerance
- Swollen abdomen or neck veins
- Loss of appetite, excessive water consumption, and urination
- Labored breathing while resting
- Pacing and restlessness at night, which can disrupt sleep patterns
- Fainting or loss of consciousness due to low blood pressure caused by heart failure
- Behavior changes, including being withdrawn, inactive, lethargic, hiding away from family members
How Is It Diagnosed
Veterinarians diagnose the disease using any combination of several tests. Your veterinarian performs a complete physical exam on your dog, including listening to the heart with a stethoscope to identify murmurs and other unusual heart sounds.
- An electrocardiogram (ECG) test measures electrical activity in the heart muscle, indicating sufficient oxygen to function properly.
- Echocardiography is an ultrasound test that can offer more detailed information about how well the valves are working compared to X-rays alone. It also provides additional information on the size of the chambers, the thickness of valve leaflets, and blood flow through them.
- A dog MRI provides more detailed information than echocardiography and is especially good for looking at the thickness of the heart muscle.
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How Is MMVD Treated?
- Your vet will prescribe analgesics to ease discomfort.
- They may also require blood thinners to prevent blood clots from forming in the heart, lungs, or limbs.
- They may also give diuretics or “water pills” to reduce fluid accumulation in the lungs and chest cavity, which can also help alleviate coughing.
- Digoxin is used to maintain a steady heartbeat, while ACE inhibitors have effectively regulated blood pressure and increased the strength of heart contractions.
- Aspirin therapy is prescribed for dogs with severe mitral valve disease that increases inflammation in the heart muscle. However, you should only give it when advised by your veterinarian because aspirin may cause the blood to be a less likely clot, increasing the risk for more severe complications.
Surgical treatment is also available if all other treatments are not effective or have been exhausted. Your vets can surgically repair the mitral valve or replace it, depending on its severity. Before considering this option for your dog, make sure to research veterinary surgery to understand the entire process.
How Long Do Dogs with MMVD Live?
Dogs with mitral valve disease can live with proper treatment and nursing for several years. The quality of life depends on the stage your dog is in. Dogs with MMVD that receive adequate care may survive an average lifespan of 2 to 4 years, while those diagnosed at a later stage tend to live only six months to 1 year.
Remember that every dog has different situations. Your dog’s life span depends on the severity of their condition and how well they respond to treatment. For expert advice, a formal examination, and a definitive diagnosis, it’s always safe to ask experts, such as vmsg.com.
