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Chronic Valvular Diseases
Chronic Valvular Diseases
Chronic valvular disease can be thought of simply as 'leaky valves', caused when the moving parts of the heart valves thicken and harden with age. The result is more or less the same as when a valve in your central heating system starts to wear out: increasingly poor circulation.
This illustration highlights the various valves in the heart that can be affected by disease.
These valves may thicken or harden with age. This can either restrict bloodflow, or allow blood to 'leak' back past the valve.
If any valve is affected in this way, it will compromise the heart's ability to pump blood.
Affected Breeds
Although valvular disease can affect any dog, smaller breeds tend to be more prone. In particular, the Cavalier King Charles, Chihuahua, Miniature Schnauzer, Maltese, Pekingese and Whippet. Of these, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels tend to develop the disease earlier in life.
Symptoms
The first thing you might notice in a dog with this condition is some slowing down during exercise. Coughing is another symptom. Indeed it is this latter symptom that many owners spot first, because exercise intolerance can be quite subtle in the early stages of the disease.
Outlook
In people, chronic valve disease calls for a heart valve replacement, a technique which is still in its infancy amongst veterinary surgeons, and not yet commonly available. Nevertheless, with early diagnosis and drug therapy, combined with careful management of diet and exercise, some dogs will live comfortably with valvular disease for years.
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