| Mitral Valve Disease generally affects small breeds | | | | whether arrhythmias exist. Chest radiographs or |
| such as Dachshund, Beagle and Chihuahua. What is | | | | x-rays can also be used in determining this |
| Mitral Valve Disease? Let us first define what | | | | disease. Dogs affected by this disease may |
| mitral valve is. The heart has four chambers, the | | | | exhibit left atrial enlargement with or without left |
| upper chamber called atria and the lower chamber | | | | ventricular enlargement in their x-rays. The |
| called ventricles. It is also divided into right and left | | | | pulmonary veins are often enlarged too. |
| sides. It is the valve located between the left | | | | Is it curable? A concerned dog owner would |
| atrium and left ventricle of the heart. | | | | possible ask this question. With the advancement |
| In most dogs, especially the small breeds like the | | | | of today's technology and medicine, more and |
| Chihuahua, this mitral valve wears out because of | | | | more ailments can possibly be treated as long as |
| the large pressure created when the left ventricle | | | | it's not yet too late. However, replacing heart |
| contracts. This wearing out results to a small leak | | | | valve through surgeries is not possible in dogs. But |
| and gradually gets more severe over time. | | | | drugs such as diuretics, nitroglycerin and digitalis |
| Dogs affected by this may exhibit some signs. | | | | help in improving the condition of the heart even |
| Early signs include reduced tolerance for exercise, | | | | with the existence of leaky valve. Diuretics work |
| difficulties in breathing or cough especially during | | | | in stimulating the kidneys to remove excess fluid |
| the night or at rest. These signs occur because of | | | | from the body. Nitroglycerin helps dilate the veins |
| fluid build-up in the lungs. As the disease | | | | throughout the body and promote heart |
| progresses, symptoms such as fainting, weakness | | | | contractions. Digitalis on the other hand improves |
| or collapse may occur due to an abnormal heart | | | | heart function by regulating excess hormones |
| rhythm. | | | | that have been released and strengthening each |
| It is diagnosed in many ways. Using a | | | | contraction of the heart. Restricting salt in your |
| stethoscope, veterinarians listen to murmur, | | | | Chihuahua's diet also helps in combating this |
| abnormal heart rhythm and even lung sounds. The | | | | disease. This method works by preventing the |
| murmur ranges from soft to loud, holosystolic and | | | | retention of excessive fluid. |
| is loudest at the apex over the mitral area. | | | | One important point to remember, Chihuahuas |
| Electrocardiogram, also called ECG or EKG is also | | | | affected or show signs of mitral valve disease |
| used in diagnosing mitral valve disease. | | | | should not be included in any breeding process to |
| Electrocardiogram is the measure of the activity | | | | prevent the occurrence of this disease in your |
| of the heart and determines the heart rate | | | | pup. |