Mitral valve disease is the most common heart disease in dogs, particularly small breeds. Early detection and medication at the right stage dramatically improve quality and length of life.
Mitral valve disease causes progressive welfare impacts as cardiac function declines. In early preclinical stages, dogs may feel entirely normal, but as the disease advances dogs experience reduced exercise tolerance and the fatigue of working against compromised cardiac output. Heart failure causes respiratory distress from fluid accumulation in the lungs, which is deeply unpleasant and frightening for affected dogs. Medication significantly improves quality of life by reducing fluid accumulation and improving cardiac output. The welfare case for the EPIC trial findings is clear: starting pimobendan at Stage B2 means dogs spend more of their lives comfortable and symptom-free rather than in heart failure. Breed-specific cardiac screening programs support earlier intervention.