Valve degeneration (CVHD) is a hereditary disease, most common in small dog breeds such as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Dachshund, Pinscher, Bichon, Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Spitz and others.
In the beginning the disease has no symptoms; it shows itself once the valve damage is significant and the heart decompensates into failure. This happens with advancing age, usually after 6–8 years.
The symptoms are a gagging cough on exertion or excitement, shortness of breath and rapid breathing.
It is diagnosed during a cardiological examination. Cardiac ultrasound is the most accurate method and also determines the stage of the disease (A, B1, B2, C, D); at our clinic echocardiography is performed by Dr Tsokev.
On chest auscultation, an experienced veterinarian detects a heart murmur which, as the disease progresses, becomes so loud that owners themselves can feel it as a strong rubbing and vibration when placing a palm on the chest.
Treatment is individual, according to how far the heart function is affected, and is decided by the veterinarian during the examination — echocardiography being the most accurate method for the purpose. The main groups of medication used are diuretics, ACE inhibitors, drugs that increase the contraction strength of the heart muscle, drugs that reduce the heart’s afterload, antiarrhythmics and others.
Author: Dr Rosen Tsokev
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