Mitral valve disease is the most common heart disease in dogs, particularly Cavalier King Charles spaniels. Early intervention and careful monitoring maximise welfare and lifespan.
Mitral valve disease progresses slowly in many dogs, but decompensated congestive heart failure causes significant welfare compromise from breathlessness, exercise intolerance, and coughing. Early initiation of pimobendan based on EPIC trial criteria significantly delays the onset of clinical heart failure, extending the period of good welfare. Regular monitoring allows timely addition of diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and other medications as disease progresses. Breeding programmes screening for early onset disease reduce the genetic burden in cavaliers.