What is Mitral Valve Disease or Mitral Valve Insufficiency?
Mitral valve insufficiency is basically a failure of the mitral valve which is located between the left atrium and the left ventricle. In essence, the purpose of this valve is to prevent blood from flowing backward into left atrium. As the mitral valve ages, it weakens and is unable to perform its job. As a result, blood is pumped back into the left atrium causing a rise in blood pressure. In addition, there is an increase in stress on the right side of the heart to adequately pump blood to the lungs. This disease is quite common among older as well as smaller dog breeds. Symptoms High blood pressure related to the lung field and right side of the heart is a typical sign of this disorder. As a result, the dog may begin to develop a congested type of cough (especially after sleeping). This is due to the hearts inability to adequately pump fluid off the lungs. Causes In younger dogs, this disease is inherited or passed on by the parents. When dealing with older dogs however, this disease
