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Chronic mitral valve disease in cavalier King Charles spaniels: 95 cases (1987-1991)
1Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104.
Insights
Chronic mitral valve disease is common in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS). Studies show 22% of American CKCS have heart murmurs, with prevalence increasing with age, indicating a significant health concern.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Cardiology
- Canine Health
- Valvular Heart Disease
Background:
- Chronic mitral valve disease (CMVD) is prevalent in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS) in Great Britain.
- Early detection and understanding of CMVD in CKCS are crucial for canine health management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of chronic valve disease in American-bred CKCS.
- To compare the age of onset of CMVD in CKCS with other dog breeds.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of stethoscopic examinations from 394 CKCS.
- Longitudinal study with re-examination of 79 dogs after one year.
- Comparison of age at diagnosis in CKCS with referral hospital cases of other breeds.
Main Results:
- Left apical systolic heart murmurs detected in 22% of examined CKCS.
- Prevalence increased with age, from 9% in dogs under 1 year to 100% in dogs 10 years and older.
- Mean age of diagnosis in CKCS (6.25 years) was significantly younger than in other breeds (12 years).
Conclusions:
- American-bred CKCS exhibit a high prevalence of heart murmurs indicative of chronic valve disease.
- Ruptured chordae tendineae and mitral valve prolapse are key pathological features in CKCS with CMVD.
- CKCS develop CMVD at a significantly younger age compared to other breeds, highlighting breed-specific vulnerability.
Abstract:
Systolic heart murmurs caused by chronic mitral valve disease are particularly common in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS) in Great Britain. To determine if American-bred CKCS have a similar high prevalence of chronic valve disease, results of stethoscopic examinations on 394 CKCS were analyzed. Left apical systolic heart murmurs were found in 22% of the dogs. The prevalence ranged from 9% in dogs < 1 year old to 100% in those > or = 10 years old; prevalence was 56% in dogs > or = 4 years old. Differences were not found in prevalence between sexes and among various coat colors. Reexamination of 79 dogs after 1 year revealed an incidence of new murmurs of 21%. Comparison of ages at initial examination in 128 referral hospital cases with chronic mitral valve disease revealed a mean age of 6.25 years in 17 CKCS, in contrast to a mean age of 12 years in other breeds. Echocardiographic and necropsy findings indicated that ruptured chordae tendineae and mitral valve prolapse are major components in the chronic valve disease process in CKCS.