Companion Animals

Dog Congenital Heart Disease Screening and Welfare

Several breeds have high rates of congenital heart disease. Breeding health schemes and early echocardiographic screening improve welfare outcomes at population level.

Key Facts

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have extremely high rates of mitral valve disease
Auscultation by cardiologists at standardised ages forms the basis of breeding schemes
Pimobendan extends life expectancy in dogs with cardiac enlargement by 15 months
Advanced cardiac disease causes exercise intolerance, coughing and significant distress

Welfare Considerations

Congenital heart disease welfare requires population-level breeding scheme compliance, individual screening to detect disease before symptoms develop, and timely medical intervention when enlargement is detected. Breed-level prevalence is only reducible through committed breeding selection.

What You Can Do

Choose breeders who participate in breed heart screening programmes
Request annual cardiac auscultation for high-risk breeds
Ask your vet about pimobendan as early treatment for cardiac enlargement