Mitral Valve Disease

This term encompasses many heart diseases envolving degenerative thickening and progressive deformity of one or more heart valves - mitral valve disease, mitral valve degeneration, mitral valve insufficiency etc. Mitral valve disease is a serious heart condition caused by the abnormal function of the valve that separates the upper and lower chamber of the left side of the heart. This disease is usually associated with heart murmur that can be heard with a stethoscope. It commonly affects Miniature Schnauzers, Chihuahuas, Fox terriers, Cocker spaniels, Cairn terriers, miniature poodles, Bull terriers, Boston terriers, King Charles spaniels, Miniature pinschers, Dachshunds, Doberman Pinschers and Shetland sheepdogs. Males are 50 percent more likely than females to be affected.

The diseases may result from congenital defect of the valve, defects in the muscles and tendons that operate the valve, or inflammation of the heart. The disease usually occurs in older dogs, however it is seen in young dogs and may result in premature death. Symptoms may include exercise intolerance, weakness, syncope (passing out), coughing at night or at rest because of a build-up of fluid in the lungs, shortness of breath, and lethargy.

Mildly affected dogs can have a good quality of life for years. It all depends on when the diagnosis is made and when therapy is applied. There are many dogs with degenerative mitral disease that never progress to heart failure. While the prognosis for dogs with mitral valve disease at advanced stage is poor, some dogs may be managed with medications and low-sodium diet for a period that varies from case to case. There is no prevention for mitral valve disease. Early detection and appropriate treatment of the disease may improve the prognosis.

Patellar Luxation - Kneecap Dislocation

Patellar Luxation is a common congenital (animals are born with this disease) health condition in small dog breeds such as miniature and toy poodle, Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Yorkshire Terrier, Pekingese and other breeds of dogs and cats. Patellar Luxation affects both knees in 50% of all diagnosed cases.

The patellar or kneecap is a small bone buried in the tendon of the muscles of the thigh. The tendon is a band of tough, inelastic tissue that connects a muscle with its bony attachement. With this condition, the kneecap may slip out of the tendon and then slip back. Patellar luxation is graded 1 to 4 based on the severity of the defect, 1 being occasional mild lameness. As the disease progresses in duration and severity, this lameness becomes more frequent and eventually becomes continuous. In young puppies with severe patellar luxation, the rear legs often present a "bow-legged" appearance that worsens with growth.

Surgical correction of patellar luxation grades 1, 2, or 3 results generally in a successful clinical outcome, whereas surgical correction of grade 4 patellar luxations may not be as effective in young dogs.

When the luxation is left alone, it causes deformity and disorder in the growth of the affected limb. In severe cases, the limb may cease to function or cause other degenerative joint diseases (DJD) such as osteoarthritis. Early surgical correction is therefore essential, but the owners are not able to detect the disorder at an early age and surgical intervention in most cases will take place after 6 months of age.

It is still unclear what exactly causes this orthopedic problem. Possible causes include: hip dysplasia, deviation of muscles and bones to which patellar attaches, etc.

• A study of 1,679 puppies sold in pet stores, conducted over a 2-year period (1987 and 1988), found that over 7% of 6- to 18-week-old puppies had congenital patellar luxation and other defects (heart murmurs, reproductive organs abnormalities, umbilical hernia etc.

 

Go Pets Indonesia recommends seeking the advice of your local veterinarian for the most appropriate vaccination program and for the diagnosis and treatment of your pet's health problems. For vaccination requirements please contact your state and local licensing authorities.

Chihuahua Health Problems

Small-size dogs, or Toy dogs, suffer breed specific problems. The Chihuahua is not an exception. There are several congenital diseases (dogs are born with these diseases) that might present serious health risk in this breed of dog: patellar luxation, heart murmurs and eye abnormalities. If the timely and correct preventive care is provided and if the breeding stock is free from genetic defects, then you have a healthy Chihuahua.