Arak Animal Hospital Reveals 75% of Dogs Risk Developing Heart Valve Regurgitation, Presents Mitral Valve Surgery as New Treatment Option

Arak Animal Hospital Reveals 75% of Dogs Risk Developing Heart Valve Regurgitation, Presents Mitral Valve Surgery as New Treatment Option

Highlighting 3D Echocardiogram Checks & Care by Veterinary Cardiologists

Arak Animal Hospital discloses that 10% of dogs visiting the facility are diagnosed with heart diseases ⁽¹⁾. And among older dogs, up to 60% suffer from heart diseases caused by age-related degeneration ^(2,5). Myxomatous mitral valve disease accounts for 75% of canines’ heart issues ⁽³⁾. Coming next as common conditions are Dilated cardiomyopathy ⁽⁴⁾. Generally, heart diseases are hardly noticeable at their onset. Symptoms will show only after the problems have already advanced. In other words, heart issues are silent threats that may lead to sudden heart failures and even deaths. Pet parents are advised to closely monitor their dogs and get them annual health and heart check-ups in order to detect a symptom of a heart disease, if any, in its early stage. Treatments then can be planned at the onset of the diseases. Surgery is an alternative treatment method for dogs with heart problems, such as heart valve repair or corrective surgery for congenital heart defects, because it will reduce the costs of medications in the long run. The Arak Animal Hospital’s Heart Center provides its services and diagnoses with medical technologies that are on par with those for humans. Its veterinary team also boasts extensive experience and expertise in heart care.

Veterinarian Tasavarin Kanchanachaya, chief executive officer of Arak Animal Healthcare Company Limited and co-founder of Arak Animal Hospitals, says, “Heart disease is a common condition in dogs, with treatment typically relying on medication that must often be administered for the rest of the dog’s life. However, the world has already started performing surgical operations on dogs to cure some types of heart conditions including Mitral valve repair for regurgitation in dogs. As such surgery requires advanced technology and expertise, its availability is still very limited in Thailand. But in line with our goal to become the pet-care business leader, Arak Animal Hospital has invested in a complete range of modern medical tools and technologies, as well as in veterinary cardiologists. Our Heart Center is thus well-equipped to diagnose and treat heart conditions for pets’ safe care and wellbeing.”

Heart disease in dogs can be categorized into congenital conditions caused by genetics and acquired conditions resulting from age-related degeneration. Heart issues are usually found among overweight dogs and those aged 7-8 years or up. At higher risk are some specific species including Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Beagle, Poodle, Dachshund, Maltese, Boston, Terrier, Golden Retriever, Doberman and Cocker Spaniel. Although the fatality rate is high among dogs with heart problems, early diagnosis and timely treatment can help delay the progression of the disease, improve the quality of life for beloved dogs, and enable them to live longer.

Even without any visible symptoms, canine members of at-risk species or those aged 7-8 years up should undergo a heart check up on top of a regular annual check. Veterinarians deploy various methods to diagnose the health of their hearts, including heart auscultation, x-rays, electrocardiogram (ECG) and even 3D Echocardiogram. Backed by modern technologies, it is possible to clearly view the structure of dogs’ hearts. The full range of efficient medical equipment raises diagnosis efficiency and offers opportunities to treat pets with other alternatives – instead of relying on just medications. Pet parents can get the results of their dogs’ heart check-ups within 1 hour at the Arak Animal Hospital. Moreover, if they want to see their pets’ heart structure with more details, such as in cases of congenital abnormalities like Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) or pre-surgical evaluations, they can get a CT-Scan for their beloved dogs at the Arak Animal Hospital too.

“We have operated our hospital based on Pet Humanization concept. In response to pet parents’ needs, we have invested in medical technologies that are on par with those for human treatments. Our approach enables our team to diagnose with greater accuracy, offer more treatment choices for pets, and increase the chance of successful treatments,” Veterinarian Tasavarin says.

If detected early enough, some heart diseases require neither medicines nor surgery. Dogs only need to adjust their lifestyles and environment based on veterinarians’ recommendations. Cautious food choices, weight control and avoidance of exercise that strains the heart can prevent their heart issues from worsening. If detected at the stage requiring medicines, changes in lifestyles and environment can reduce dosage. Some heart diseases can also be treated by surgical operations. Offering a good chance of recovery and enhanced wellbeing, surgical operations lower – if not remove – monthly medicine expenses.

“Medicines for dogs’ heart diseases cost between 5,000 baht and 15,000 baht a month. Their owners will have to shoulder the cost throughout the rest of their pets’ lives. But if they opt for a surgical operation, they have a chance of lowering medicine costs in the long run. In Thailand, surgeries for dogs’ heart diseases are not yet widespread because of personnel and equipment limitations. But across the globe, such surgeries have been increasing as they can improve recovery chances. Arak Animal Hospital is well-equipped to provide diagnoses, recommend treatment options, and assess surgery success rates. We have modern medical technologies, surgical rooms that meet great standards, and a team of well-experienced veterinary cardiologists. Our hospital also embraces a pet-centric design, making it perfect for pets to stay during their post-surgery recuperation. They will also be under close veterinary supervision round the clock during their hospitalization.” Veterinarian Tasavarin concludes.

If your dogs are members of the at-risk species or already over 7-8 years old, you should watch out for signs that can be associated with heart diseases. If your pets cough, have difficulty breathing, get exhausted easily, reduce activity, lose appetite / weight, or vomit, they should see a veterinarian as soon as possible. The Arak Animal Hospital provides its general veterinary services round-the-clock. Heart center and special clinics by specialized veterinarians are also parts of the hospital.  For more information on the hospital or appointments, please call 02-1069977, visit https://arakanimal.com, Line OA @arakanimal or browse to https://www.facebook.com/ArakAnimalHospital.

* Reference from the Journal of Veterinary Science

1. Atkins C, Bonagura J, Ettinger S, et al. Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of canine chronic valvular heart disease. J Vet Intern Med. 2009;23(6):1142–1150.
2. Rush JE. Chronic valvular heart disease in dogs. Proceedings from the 26th Annual Waltham Diets/OSU Symposium for the Treatment of Small Animal Cardiology; October 19–20, 2002. www.vin.com/proceedings/Proceedings.plx?CID=WALTHAMOSU2002&PID=2988. Accessed January 21, 2011.
3. Keene B.W., Atkins  C.E.,  Bonagura  J.D.,  Fox  P.R., Haggstrom J., Fuentes. V.L., Oyama M.A., Rush J.E., Stepien R., Uechi M.,(2019), ACVIM consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of myxomatous mitral valve disease.J.Vet.Int.Med., 33(3):1127-1140
4. O’Grady MR, Minors SL, O’Sullivan ML, Horne R. Effect of pimobendan on case fatality rate in Doberman pinschers with congestive heart failure caused by dilated cardiomyopathy. J Vet Intern Med. 2008;22(4):897–904.
5. Sisson D. Valvular heart disease in dogs. Proceedings from the WSAVA 2002 Congress; October 3–6, 2002; Granada, Spain. http://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspxmeta=&pId=11147&id=3846146. Accessed November 28, 2016.