Heart disease is the leading cause of death in certain dog breeds, and advances in cardiac veterinary medicine have dramatically improved both longevity and quality of life for affected dogs.
Canine heart disease illustrates both the advances available in veterinary cardiac medicine and the preventable welfare costs of breeding practices that prioritise appearance over health. The EPIC and QUEST trials have established evidence-based treatment protocols that significantly extend both life and quality of life for dogs with mitral valve disease. However, the high prevalence of heart disease in certain breeds — particularly Cavalier King Charles Spaniels — reflects decades of selection that failed to prioritise cardiac health. Breed-level cardiac health protocols requiring echocardiographic screening before breeding exist but are voluntary in most countries. Owner awareness of the signs of early heart disease and prompt veterinary assessment can mean the difference between timely intervention and preventable deterioration.