VetNews February 2024: Brief Update on Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease (MMVD)

Introduction

Myxomatous mitral valve disease is the most common heart disease of dogs, accounting for about 75% of canine heart disease. Smaller breed dogs (<20kg) are predisposed, but larger dogs are also sometimes affected. Clinical signs of left heart failure due to MMVD may include coughing, dyspnoea, tachypnoea, exercise intolerance, collapse, syncope, cardiac murmur, cardiac arrhythmia, irregular pulse, and pale or cyanotic mucous membranes. It is important to keep in mind the high prevalence of chronic tracheobronchial disease in the same population most at risk for MMVD.