Mitral Valve Disease in Dogs: Causes and Treatments

    A Complete Guide to Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) and Treatment Options for Dogs

    Because every heartbeat matters. 💜

    Understanding Mitral Valve Disease (MVD)

    Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) is the most common heart condition in small-breed dogs, and the leading cause of death in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. In Cavaliers, it often develops earlier than in other breeds—over 50% are affected by age 5, and nearly all by age 10.

    What happens in MVD:

    • The mitral valve, which regulates blood flow between the left atrium and ventricle, weakens and degenerates.
    • Instead of closing properly, the valve leaks, sending blood backward.
    • This forces the heart to work harder, leading to enlargement and eventually congestive heart failure (CHF) if not treated.

    Breeds commonly affected: Cavaliers, Dachshunds, Yorkies, Maltese, Chihuahuas, Papillons, Pekingese, Bichons, Pugs, small terriers, and toy poodles.

    Common symptoms as MVD progresses:

    • Heart murmur (first detected at a checkup)
    • Coughing or gagging (often at night)
    • Rapid or labored breathing
    • Fatigue, exercise intolerance, fainting spells
    • Restlessness, difficulty lying comfortably
    • Swollen belly from fluid buildup

    👉 Important: A murmur does not equal heart failure. With regular monitoring and care, many dogs live for years before symptoms develop.

    Diagnosing and Staging Heart Disease

    How vets diagnose MVD:

    • Echocardiogram (ultrasound): gold standard for diagnosis and staging.
    • X-rays: detect enlargement and fluid.
    • ECG/Holter monitor: catch arrhythmias.
    • Blood pressure: high BP worsens disease.
    • Blood tests: NT-proBNP (heart stretch), cTnI (muscle damage), plus kidney/liver panels.

    MVD Stages (ACVIM):

    • Stage A: At-risk breed, no murmur.
    • Stage B1: Murmur, no enlargement.
    • Stage B2: Murmur + enlargement, usually start meds.
    • Stage C: Symptoms (cough, fatigue, fluid buildup).
    • Stage D: End-stage, no longer responding to meds.

    Daisy’s Story

    Daisy was more than a Cavalier—she was a devoted service dog and family member. At age 8, she was diagnosed with MVD. With cardiologist oversight, a balanced diet, supplements, and holistic therapies, Daisy thrived for two more years.

    By age 10, Daisy’s condition worsened, and she became a candidate for Mitral Valve Repair (MVR) surgery in the UK. The procedure was successful—her cough disappeared, her breathing normalized, and her joyful spark returned. Her family described it as a “new lease on life.”

    Though Daisy later passed from an unrelated medication error, her surgery gave her precious quality time. Her journey inspired Daisy’s Legacy, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting pets and families facing heart disease.

    Treatment Options

    Medications

    Medications help manage symptoms but cannot fix the valve itself. Commonly used:

    • Pimobendan – improves heart muscle contraction
    • ACE inhibitors (enalapril, benazepril) – reduce workload
    • Diuretics (furosemide, torsemide, spironolactone) – manage fluid buildup
    • Anti-arrhythmics – control irregular rhythms
    • Sildenafil – for pulmonary hypertension

    Mitral Valve Repair (MVR) Surgery

    MVR is the only option that repairs the valve itself. It is an advanced open-heart surgery performed on bypass.

    Where it’s available:

    📌 Tip: Most centers require a referral and full cardiology workup (including echocardiogram results) before reviewing cases.

    Recovery: ~1 week hospitalization + 8–12 weeks of strict rest. Many dogs return to near-normal activity and gain years of extra life.

    Whole-Health & Nutritional Support

    Diet Recommendations

    • Fresh, meat-based diet (raw or gently cooked preferred)
    • Heart meat, clams, mussels, sardines, dark poultry → taurine & carnitine
    • Fermented/raw goat milk → taurine, MCTs, probiotics
    • Qi & blood-supportive foods: beef, pumpkin, sweet potato, squash, shiitake mushrooms
    • Blood tonics: liver, egg yolks, dark leafy greens, sardines
    • Low sodium (<0.30% recommended) – avoid salty treats, processed foods

    Supplements (vet-guided)

    • Omega-3s (EPA/DHA) – reduce inflammation, support muscle
    • CoQ10 – energy and antioxidant protection
    • L-Carnitine – supports cardiac metabolism
    • Taurine – vital amino acid for heart strength
    • Hawthorn – may improve circulation
    • Vitamin E + Selenium – antioxidants for heart muscle
    • D-Ribose – boosts cardiac energy
    • CBD oil – calming and anti-inflammatory

    Additional Therapies

    • Acupuncture & herbal support – shown to help in some resistant cases
    • Oxygen concentrator + recovery crate – supportive for advanced stages
    • Dental care – gum disease worsens cardiac stress

    Daily Care & Monitoring

    • Regular cardiologist checkups & echocardiograms
    • Track resting breathing rate (goal <30/min)
    • Keep lean muscle, avoid overexertion
    • Prevent overheating and stress
    • Provide calm, supportive home environment
    • Maintain insurance coverage if possible, as MVD care and surgery are costly

    Find Expert Help

    • Holistic Veterinarians: Find one here – licensed vets combining conventional and holistic medicine.
    • Veterinary Cardiologists: ACVIM directory – board-certified cardiologists near you.

    Carrying Daisy’s Legacy Forward

    Daisy’s story proves that MVD is not hopeless. With early detection, proactive veterinary care, thoughtful nutrition, and—in some cases—surgery, dogs can live longer, healthier, joy-filled lives.

    💜 Daisy’s Legacy is committed to honoring her memory by providing families with knowledge, resources, and advocacy for pets facing heart disease.

    Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose, treat, or replace consulting a primary veterinarian for individualized care.