{"id":4091,"date":"2024-03-27T12:13:25","date_gmt":"2024-03-27T12:13:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/?p=4091"},"modified":"2024-03-27T12:13:25","modified_gmt":"2024-03-27T12:13:25","slug":"dmvd-or-degenerative-mitral-valve-disease-in-dogs-causes-signs-diagnosis-treatment-and-prognosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/pet-health\/dmvd-or-degenerative-mitral-valve-disease-in-dogs-causes-signs-diagnosis-treatment-and-prognosis\/","title":{"rendered":"DMVD or Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease in Dogs: Causes, Signs, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prognosis"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is the Mitral Valve?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Mitral valve is a one-way flap-like structure that allows the blood to flow from the upper left chamber (left atrium) to the lower left chamber (left ventricle) of the heart.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The function of the mitral valve is to prevent the (reverse) flow of blood from the left lower chamber to the upper chamber.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The mitral valve is a very thin structure made of two flaps or cusps. So, it\u2019s also called the bicuspid valve.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What Happens in Mitral Valve Disease in Dogs?<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

In the Mitral Valve Disease (MVD), there is the thickening of the valve. Small nodules form on the edges of the flaps. Due to the thickening, the mitral valve fails to close completely and the blood from the lower chamber of the heart flows back to the upper chamber. This is known as mitral regurgitation (MR).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It is a degenerative disease, also known as Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease (DMVD). Over time, the size of both the left chambers increase and the valve continues to thicken. As the leak worsens, <\/span>signs of congestive heart failure<\/span><\/a> (CHF) begin to show.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease (DMVD) in dogs is also known as canine myxomatous mitral valve disease.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How common is mitral valve disease in dogs?<\/span><\/h2>\n

10% of all domestic dogs develop some heart disease during their lifetime.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

80% of the heart diseases in dogs develop due to the degeneration of the mitral valve or mitral valve disease.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mitral valve disease is more commonly seen among male dogs as compared to female dogs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Which Dog Breeds are at a Higher Risk of Developing Mitral Valve Disease?<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Inforgaphic<\/p>\n

Mitral valve disease does affect a small percentage of large dog breeds, but it\u2019s oddly <\/span>prominent in the small dog breeds<\/span><\/a> whose adult weight is below 9 kg.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mitral disease in dogs depends upon genetics. So, some dog breeds are at higher risk of developing DMVD as compared to other breeds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are some small dog breeds prone to mitral valve disease –<\/span><\/p>\n