Canine Mitral Valve Dysplasia
& Breeds at Risk
Research, Resources & Education
This website is based on research and is NOT created to diagnose your pet.
Each animal is an individual and may exhibit symptoms in a different way.
It is advised that you ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR VETERINARIAN for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Table of Contents
Mitral Valve Dysplasia (MVD)
Mitral valve dysplasia is a congenital malformation of the mitral valve leaflets or any other component(s) of the mitral valve complex.
Symptoms will depend on the severity of the mitral valve dysplasia. This may include Heart murmur found at a wellness check, Gagging, Hacking cough, Lack of stamina, Weakness, Dyspnea,Congestive heart failure (will cause pulmonary edema, abdominal ascites, retention of fluids in the skin and collapse)
Treatments include Medication and/or Surgical replacement of the valve. Patients
with MVD will need to be on low salt diets.
What Dogs are at Risk?
Some Dogs that are at Risk due to Genetic Predisposition
What is Mitral Valve Dysplasia?
Mitral Valve Dysplasia - Merck Manual (Professional)
Mitral valve dysplasia – Merck Manual (Professional)
Mitral valve dysplasia is a congenital malformation of the mitral valve leaflets or any other component(s) of the mitral valve complex.
- This condition occurs in dogs and is a common defect of cats.
- The severity of mitral regurgitation determines the degree of left heart enlargement and the risk of left-side CHF.
- A systolic murmur is heard over the left apex. The diagnosis is made by echocardiography, and treatment of CHF, if present, is indicated.
Mitral Valve Dysplasia Merck Manual (Pet Owners)
Mitral Valve Dysplasia Merck Manual (Pet Owners)
Mitral valve dysplasia refers to abnormal development or malformation of the mitral valve of the heart, allowing regurgitation of blood back into the left atrium.
- Breeds of dogs most likely to be born with mitral valve dysplasia are Bull Terriers, German Shepherds, and Great Danes.
- Long-term mitral regurgitation results in enlargement of the left ventricle and atrium.
- When the regurgitation is severe, blood flow from the heart decreases and fluid accumulates in the lungs, producing signs of heart failure.
- Arrhythmias may develop. In some cases, malformation of the mitral valve causes stenosis, or narrowing, of the valve.
Mitral Valve Dysplasia Videos
YouTube Videos that help explain Mitral Valve Dysplasia in Dogs
Disclaimer:
This is for research only and Lost Temple Pets does not endorse any video presented on this website.
It is advised that you ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR VETERINARIAN for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Playlist
Causes
Causes (Wag!)
Causes – Wag!
Mitral valve dysplasia (MVD) is a congenital cardiac condition that causes one or more abnormalities to the mitral valve. This means that MVD was present at birth.
- The abnormalities of the mitral valve happened during fetal development.
- Mitral valve dysplasia is potentially an inherited heart condition.
Signs & Symptoms
Signs - Merck Veterinary Manual (Pet Owner Version)
Signs – Merck Veterinary Manual (Pet Owner Version)
The signs of mitral valve dysplasia depend on the severity of the defect.
- Signs of left-sided congestive heart failure, such as coughing and difficulty breathing, are often seen.
Symptoms (Wag!)
Symptoms – Wag!
Symptoms will depend on the severity of the mitral valve dysplasia.
- Patients with mild mitral valve dysplasia may not show any clinical signs for months or even years.
- Heart murmur found at a wellness check.
- Gagging
- Hacking cough
- Lack of stamina
- Weakness
- Dyspnea
- Congestive heart failure (will cause pulmonary edema, abdominal ascites, retention of fluids in the skin and collapse)
Diagnosis and Testing
Clinical Findings and Treatment of Mitral Valve Dysplasia in Animals (VCA Animal Hospital)
Clinical Findings and Treatment of Mitral Valve Dysplasia in Animals – VCA Animal Hospital
Mitral regurgitation creates a holosystolic heart murmur heard loudest over the left apex, similar to the murmur of acquired degenerative valvular disease
- Echocardiography shows malformation of various components of the mitral valve apparatus, with varying degrees of regurgitation and, less often, stenosis
- Animals exhibiting clinical and radiographic evidence of left heart failure (pulmonary edema) should be treated medically
- Clinical signs correlate with the severity of the defect.
- Affected animals may display signs of left-side CHF.
- A holosystolic murmur of mitral regurgitation is prominent at the left cardiac apex.
- A diastolic heart sound (gallop rhythm) is present in some cases.
- Affected animals may have a precordial thrill over the left cardiac apex.
- Electrocardiography may demonstrate atrial arrhythmias (atrial premature complexes, atrial fibrillation), especially in severely affected animals with left atrial dilatation.
- There may also be evidence of both left atrial (widened P waves) and left ventricular enlargement.
- Thoracic radiographs may demonstrate severe left atrial enlargement.
- Left ventricular enlargement and pulmonary venous congestion can also be noted.
- Echocardiography demonstrates malformation of the mitral valve complex (fused chordae tendineae and thickened, immobile valve leaflets, abnormal appearance to the papillary muscles) and left atrial and ventricular dilatation.
- Doppler echocardiography demonstrates severe mitral regurgitation. Evidence of mitral stenosis can be identified on the echocardiogram.
- Prognosis for animals with clinical signs and severe mitral valve dysplasia is poor.
- Mildly affected animals may remain free of clinical signs for several years.
- Animals with CHF should be treated medically.
Treatment
Treatment Wag!
Treatment – Wag!
Asymptomatic (no symptoms) patients diagnosed with mitral valve dysplasia usually do not need medical treatment. They do need to have x-rays every 6-12 months to monitor the size of the dog’s heart.
- Some veterinarians choose to start medical treatment at this stage and will prescribe beta blockers such as carvedilol and/or Bisoprolol.
- Patients with MVD will need to be on low salt diets.
- Overweight dogs will have their diets modified in order to decrease caloric intake.
- Extreme exertion, high humidity and high heat should be avoided.
- Supplements, and vitamins, which may be suggested, are Vitamin E, Vitamin C, coenzyme CoQ10, and Omega 3.
- Patients with more advanced mitral valve dysplasia may also be prescribed angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (enalapril and benazepril) to help lower blood pressure.
- Diuretics may help stimulate the kidneys to remove excess fluids from the body.
- Digitalis may be prescribed to help slow the heart rate and strengthen the heart’s contraction.
- Vasodilators drugs can help the heart, to have a better blood flow.
- The veterinarian may refer you to a veterinarian heart specialist, who may recommend the surgical replacement of the valve.
- Dogs do not respond well to mechanical valves; blood clots usually occur.
- Studies show that canine patients do well with porcine valve (pig valves) replacements.
- The surgery can only be attempted on young dogs that are strong enough to undergo this procedure.
- The valve replacement is an open heart surgical procedure.
- The patient usually will need to remain hospitalized for a week.
References
References
Merck Veterinary Manual (Pet Owner Version) – Congenital and Inherited Disorders of the Cardiovascular System in Dogs
By Sandra P. Tou, DVM, DACVIM-Cardiology, DACVIM-SAIM, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University
Reviewed/Revised Jun 2018
Merck Veterinary Manual (Professional Version) – Mitral Valve Dysplasia in Animals
By Sandra P. Tou, DVM, DACVIM-Cardiology, DACVIM-SAIM
Reviewed/Revised Jan 2020
Wag! – Mitral Valve Dysplasia in Dogs
Retrieved 11/16/24
https://wagwalking.com/condition/mitral-valve-dysplasia
VIDEOS
Reid Shufer – Mitral Valve Disease
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYYSSrjJ_xo
ACVIM – Mitral Valve Disease in Dogs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwfgpIgudnc
The NAVC – Pimobendan: A Treatment for Preclinical Mitral Valve Disease in Dogs
Cardiac/Breed Chart
| BREED | Atrial septal defect (ASD) | Chronic mitral valvular disease (CMVDz) | Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) | Mitral valvular dysplasia (MVD) | Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) | Pulmonic stenosis (PS) | Subaortic stenosis (SAS) | Tricuspid valvular dysplasia (TVD) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Affenpinscher | Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) | ||||||||
| Afghan Hound | Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) | Mitral valvular dysplasia (MVD) | |||||||
| Airedale Terrier | |||||||||
| Akita (American) | |||||||||
| Alaskan Malamute | |||||||||
| American Eskimo, Toy and Standard | |||||||||
| American Foxhound | |||||||||
| American Pitt Bull Terrier | |||||||||
| American Staffordshire Terrier | |||||||||
| American Water Spaniel | |||||||||
| Anatolian Shepherd Dog | |||||||||
| Australian Cattle Dog | |||||||||
| Australian Shepherd | |||||||||
| Australian Terrier | |||||||||
| Basenji | |||||||||
| Basset Hound | Pulmonic stenosis (PS) | ||||||||
| Beagle | Pulmonic stenosis (PS) | ||||||||
| Bearded Collie | |||||||||
| Beauceron | |||||||||
| Bedlington Terrier | |||||||||
| Belgian Groenendael | |||||||||
| Belgian Malinois | |||||||||
| Belgian Tervuren | |||||||||
| Bernese Mountain Dog | |||||||||
| Bichon Frise’ | Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) | ||||||||
| Black and Tan Coonhound | |||||||||
| Black Russian Terrier | |||||||||
| Bloodhound | |||||||||
| Boerboel | |||||||||
| Border Collie | |||||||||
| Border Terrier | |||||||||
| Borzoi | |||||||||
| Boston Terrier | Pulmonic stenosis (PS) | ||||||||
| Bouvier des Flandres | Subaortic stenosis (SAS) | ||||||||
| Boxer | Atrial septal defect (ASD) | Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) | Pulmonic stenosis (PS) | Subaortic stenosis (SAS) | |||||
| Briard | |||||||||
| Brittany | |||||||||
| Brussels Griffon | |||||||||
| Bull Terrier | Mitral valvular dysplasia (MVD) | ||||||||
| Bull Terrier, Miniature | |||||||||
| Bulldog, English | Pulmonic stenosis (PS) | Subaortic stenosis (SAS) | |||||||
| Bullmastiff | |||||||||
| Cairn Terrier | |||||||||
| Canaan Dog | |||||||||
| Cane Corso (Italian Mastiff) | |||||||||
| Caucasian Shepherd | |||||||||
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Chronic mitral valvular disease (CMVDz) | Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) | |||||||
| Chesapeake Bay Retriever | |||||||||
| Chihuahua | Chronic mitral valvular disease (CMVDz) | Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) | Pulmonic stenosis (PS) | ||||||
| Chinese Crested | |||||||||
| Chinese Shar-Pei | |||||||||
| Chow Chow | Pulmonic stenosis (PS) | ||||||||
| Clumber Spaniel | |||||||||
| Cocker Spaniel (American) | Chronic mitral valvular disease (CMVDz) | Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) | Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) | Pulmonic stenosis (PS) | |||||
| Collie, Rough / Smooth Coat | Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) | ||||||||
| Curly Coated Retriever | |||||||||
| Dachshund | Chronic mitral valvular disease (CMVDz) | ||||||||
| Dalmation | |||||||||
| Dandie Dinmont Terrier | |||||||||
| Doberman Pinscher | Atrial septal defect (ASD) | Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) | |||||||
| Dogo Argentino | |||||||||
| Dogue de Bordeaux (Mastiff) | |||||||||
| English Cocker Spaniel | Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) | Pulmonic stenosis (PS) | |||||||
| English Foxhound | |||||||||
| English Setter | |||||||||
| English Springer Spaniel | Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) | Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) | |||||||
| English Toy Spaniel AKA King Charles Spaniel | |||||||||
| Field Spaniel | |||||||||
| Finnish Spitz | |||||||||
| Flat-Coated Retriever | |||||||||
| Fox Terrier, Smooth | |||||||||
| Fox Terrier, Toy | |||||||||
| Fox Terrier, Wire | Pulmonic stenosis (PS) | ||||||||
| French Bulldog | |||||||||
| German Pinscher | |||||||||
| German Shepherd | Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) | Mitral valvular dysplasia (MVD) | Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) | Subaortic stenosis (SAS) | Tricuspid valvular dysplasia (TVD) | ||||
| German Shorthaired Pointer | Subaortic stenosis (SAS) | ||||||||
| German Wirehaired Pointer | |||||||||
| Glen of Imaal Terrier | |||||||||
| Golden Retriever | Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) | Subaortic stenosis (SAS) | |||||||
| Gordon Setter | |||||||||
| Great Dane | Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) | Mitral valvular dysplasia (MVD) | Subaortic stenosis (SAS) | Tricuspid valvular dysplasia (TVD) | |||||
| Great Pyrenees | |||||||||
| Greater Swiss Mountain Dog | |||||||||
| Greyhound | |||||||||
| Harrier | |||||||||
| Havanese | |||||||||
| Ibizan Hound | |||||||||
| Irish Setter | Tricuspid valvular dysplasia (TVD) | ||||||||
| Irish Terrier | Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) | ||||||||
| Irish Water Spaniel | |||||||||
| Irish Wolfhound | Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) | ||||||||
| Italian Greyhound | |||||||||
| Japanese Chin | |||||||||
| Keeshond | Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) | Pulmonic stenosis (PS) | |||||||
| Kerry Blue Terrier | Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) | ||||||||
| Komondor | |||||||||
| Kuvasz | |||||||||
| Labrador Retriever | Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) | Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) | Pulmonic stenosis (PS) | Tricuspid valvular dysplasia (TVD) | |||||
| Lakeland Terrier | |||||||||
| Lhasa Apso | Chronic mitral valvular disease (CMVDz) | ||||||||
| Lowchen | |||||||||
| Maltese | Chronic mitral valvular disease (CMVDz) | Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) | |||||||
| Manchester Terrier Toy | |||||||||
| Manchester Terrier, Standard | |||||||||
| Mastiff, English | Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) | Pulmonic stenosis (PS) | |||||||
| Miniature Pincher | |||||||||
| Neapolitan Mastiff | |||||||||
| Newfoundland | Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) | Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) | Pulmonic stenosis (PS) | Subaortic stenosis (SAS) | |||||
| Norfolk Terrier | |||||||||
| Norwegian Buhund | |||||||||
| Norwegian Elkhound | |||||||||
| Norwich Terrier | |||||||||
| Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever | |||||||||
| Old English Sheepdog | Atrial septal defect (ASD) | Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) | Tricuspid valvular dysplasia (TVD) | ||||||
| Otterhound | |||||||||
| Papillon | Chronic mitral valvular disease (CMVDz) | ||||||||
| Parsons Russell Terrier | |||||||||
| Pekingese | Chronic mitral valvular disease (CMVDz) | ||||||||
| Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen (PBGV) | |||||||||
| Pharaoh Hound | |||||||||
| Plott Hound | |||||||||
| Pointer | Subaortic stenosis (SAS) | ||||||||
| Polish Lowland Sheepdog | |||||||||
| Pomeranian | Chronic mitral valvular disease (CMVDz) | Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) | |||||||
| Poodle, Miniature | Chronic mitral valvular disease (CMVDz) | Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) | |||||||
| Poodle, Standard | Atrial septal defect (ASD) | Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) | |||||||
| Poodle, Toy | Chronic mitral valvular disease (CMVDz) | Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) | |||||||
| Portuguese Water Dog | Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) | ||||||||
| Presa Canario | |||||||||
| Pug | |||||||||
| Puli | |||||||||
| Pyrenean Shepherd | |||||||||
| Rhodesian Ridgeback | |||||||||
| Rottweiler | Subaortic stenosis (SAS) | ||||||||
| Saluki | |||||||||
| Samoyed | Atrial septal defect (ASD) | Pulmonic stenosis (PS) | Subaortic stenosis (SAS) | ||||||
| Schipperke | |||||||||
| Schnauzer, Miniature | Chronic mitral valvular disease (CMVDz) | Pulmonic stenosis (PS) | |||||||
| Schnauzer, Giant | Pulmonic stenosis (PS) | ||||||||
| Schnauzer, Standard | |||||||||
| Scottish Deerhound | Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) | ||||||||
| Scottish Terrier | |||||||||
| Sealyham Terrier | |||||||||
| Shetland Sheepdog | Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) | ||||||||
| Shiba Inu | |||||||||
| Shih Tzu | Chronic mitral valvular disease (CMVDz) | ||||||||
| Siberian Husky | |||||||||
| Silky Terrier | |||||||||
| Skye Terrier | |||||||||
| Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier | |||||||||
| Spinone Italiano | |||||||||
| St. Bernard | Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) | ||||||||
| Staffordshire Bull Terrier | |||||||||
| Sussex Spaniel | |||||||||
| Swedish Vallhund | |||||||||
| Tibetan Mastiff | |||||||||
| Tibetan Spaniel | |||||||||
| Tibetan Terrier | |||||||||
| Tosa | |||||||||
| Vizsla | |||||||||
| Weimaraner | |||||||||
| Welsh Corgi, Cardigan | Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) | ||||||||
| Welsh Corgi, Pembroke | Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) | ||||||||
| Welsh Springer Spaniel | |||||||||
| Welsh Terrier | |||||||||
| West Highland White Terrier | Chronic mitral valvular disease (CMVDz) | Pulmonic stenosis (PS) | |||||||
| Whippet | |||||||||
| Wirehaired Pointing Griffon | |||||||||
| Yorkshire Terrier | Chronic mitral valvular disease (CMVDz) | Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) | |||||||
| Spanish Mastiff | |||||||||
| Treeing Walker Coonhound | |||||||||
| Barbet | |||||||||
| Cirneco dell'Etna | |||||||||
| Broholmer | |||||||||
| Leonberger | |||||||||
| Rat Terrier | |||||||||
| Xoloitzcuintli | |||||||||
| Dutch Shepherd |