Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) or mitral insufficiency is a deviation of the mitral valve - one of the four heart valves - usually resulting in leakage. The leakage is caused by the improper closing of the mitral valve.
Detection
A heart problem is usually recognizable by reduced stamina, tightness of breath, coughing, rhythm disorders, losing weight or a heart murmur. Heart disease can be congenital or develop later in life.
Through auscultation. Auscultation is done with a stethoscope. The dog is not stunned during the examination. This research is an efficient and inexpensive research, which is mainly aimed at detecting a minor noise.
Through echocardiography. This non-invasive method with Doppler measurements is the preferred method for detecting and confirming hereditary heart conditions suspected after clinical examination. This examination should not be done under anesthesia. This research takes longer and is more expensive than an auscultation. Some veterinarians are going to shave some of the fur away, which can be a problem for show dogs. Discuss this with the vet in advance.
Therapy
A good and careful heart examination makes it possible to detect a heart defect in time. The sooner a deviation is detected, the sooner a proper therapy can be set. There is no general therapy and a targeted treatment depends on the individual diagnosis of the dog.
Heredity
The condition is hereditary.