Back
Description Cause These diseases are thought to be hereditary. Breed Occurrence DogsAtrioventricular abnormalities occur most frequently in large and giant breeds of dog including the German Shepherd Dog , Great Dane Labrador Retriever and Old English Sheepdog . Mitral stenosis has been reported in the English Bull Terrier in the UK. Cats Endocardial cushion defects are quite common in cats and may also involve defects (holes) in the septum separating the two atria (atrial septal defects), and notched or cleft atrioventricular valves. Tricuspid valve dysplasia is reported to be common in domestic shorthaired cats. Signs Complications Diagnosis Echocardiography provides a definitive diagnosis Treatment The only form of long-term treatment is open heart surgery and replacement of the affected valve but there are very few veterinary centres in which this procedure is performed routinely. Treatment is otherwise designed to minimise the signs of exercise intolerance, cough, abdominal swelling (ascites) etc that are due to congestive heart failure :
Prognosis Guarded Long term problems Updated January 2016 | |||||
d> |