Companion Animal Welfare

Dog Congenital Heart Disease Monitoring

Congenital and inherited heart disease in dogs requires breed-specific monitoring and management to detect progression and optimise welfare outcomes.

Key Facts

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have an 80% chance of developing mitral valve disease by age 10
Dobermanns have a high incidence of dilated cardiomyopathy causing sudden death
Early heart disease can be managed medically to delay clinical signs and maintain quality of life
BVA/KC breed health schemes monitor cardiac status in predisposed breeds
Breeding from cardiac-clear parents significantly reduces incidence over generations

Welfare Considerations

Heart disease causes progressive exercise intolerance, breathlessness, and eventual heart failure with significant welfare implications. Breed health monitoring and responsible breeding reduce incidence, while medical management delays clinical signs and maintains quality of life for affected individuals.

What You Can Do

Screen predisposed breeds for heart disease through BVA/KC health schemes
Medicate dogs with detected heart disease early in the disease course
Advocate for compulsory cardiac health testing before breeding in high-risk breeds