• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.273-278
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• 2001

Chronic mitral valvular insufficiency (CMVI) is the most common heart disease in dogs. The prevalence of CMVI is age-dependent. CMVI is usually affected to small to medium size breeds. It is more prevalent in males than females. The characteristic lesions of CMVI are caused by an acquired chronic structural degeneration of the mitral valve defined as endocardiosis or myxomatous degeneration. The main clinical signs are cough, respiratory distress, weakness and pleural effusion and ascites by secondary right-sided heart failure. The most prominent clinical finding is a systolic heart murmur. The thoracic radiography and echocardiography are useful methods in diagnosis of CMVI. Thoracic radiographic findings are left atrial enlargement, left main stem bronchial compression and pulmonary edema. Echocardiography is confirmed to increased left atrial and ventricular dimension, mitral regurgitation, mitral valve thickening and abnormal movement. Thoracic radiography and echocardiography are used to obtain a definite diagnosis of CMVI, and then to study the progression of the condition.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.396-400
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• 2005

A 13-year old, female Maltese dog was presented due to a five-month history of episodic syncope. A diagnosis of sick sinus syndrome (SSS) with mitral valve endocardiosis (MVE) was made based on history takings, physical and cardiac examination, complete blood count (CBC), serum chemistry profiles, radiography, electrocardiography (ECG), atropine response test, hormonal assay, and echocardiography. In this case, SSS was definitely diagnosed by evaluation of ECG recording following atropine administration. Clinical signs were improved with medical management of theophylline (THEOLAN, KunWha Pharm, Seoul, Korea, 20 mg/kg, PO, BID). After 10 more month survival, the dog, died of respiratory distress and shock during the operation of abdominal mass removal in local animal hospital. Unfortunately, we were not able to perform necropsy after death due to owner's decline. This case demonstrates that theophylline can be used in management oF dog with SSS.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.468-472
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• 2013

A 12-year-old intact female mixed dog (weighing 6.2 kg) was referred with primary complaints of severe abdominal distension, persistent coughing and exercise intolerance. Diagnostic studies found ascites, jugular distension, loud left and right apical systolic (grade 4/6) murmur, generalized cardiomegaly with caudal vena cava distension and left atrial dilation. Echocardiographic findings were consistent with degenerative mitral and tricuspid valve endocardiosis and bi-ventricular congestive heart failure. There was also a left to right shunting patent foramen ovale. The LV systolic function is depressed relative to the degree of volume overload. Based on diagnostic findings, this case was diagnosed as PFO complicated with mitral and tricuspid valve endocardiosis with ISACHC IIIa heart failure. The dog was treated with furosemide (2 mg/kg, q12hr, PO), sildenafil (1 mg/kg, q8hr, PO), pimobendan (0.3 mg/kg, q12hr, PO), enalapril (0.5 mg/kg, q12hr, PO) and spironolactone (1 mg/kg, q12hr). The clinical signs were gradually improved after medical therapy.