Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
When do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels first get heart murmurs
By Swift, S et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2017·College of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Degenerative Valvular Disease in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: Results of the UK Breed Scheme 1991-2010.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCSs) was examined over nearly two decades to see when heart murmurs, often linked to degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD), first appeared. The findings showed that male CKCSs developed murmurs at an average age of 7.8 years, while females showed murmurs at 8.3 years. Interestingly, veterinarians who specialized in cardiology detected these murmurs at a younger age compared to general vets. The study suggests that while breeding guidelines could help detect heart issues earlier, many breeders did not follow these recommendations closely.
People also search for: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel heart murmur · DMVD in CKCS · dog heart disease symptoms · when to check dog for heart problems
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cavalier King Charles spaniels (CKCSs) are predisposed to degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD) and studies have indicated a genetic cause. ANIMALS: A total of 8,860 CKCSs were examined at shows or private clinics from 1991 to 2010. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the effects of a breed scheme for CKCS on the age at which a murmur consistent with DMVD was first detected. METHODS: The presence or absence of a murmur consistent with mitral regurgitation was noted and age a murmur was first detected recorded. RESULTS: A total of 16,887 examinations were performed on 8,860 dogs. The median age dogs developed a murmur were slightly younger in male than female dogs (7.8 versus 8.3 years, 95% confidence interval [CI] 7.4-8.1 versus 8.0-8.4, P < .001) and cardiologists detected murmurs in younger dogs than did general practitioner (GP) veterinary surgeons (7.2 versus 8.6 years, 95% CI 7.0-7.4 versus 8.3-8.7 P < .001). In bitches examined by GP vets during the study, there was a significantly increased age of detection of murmurs over time (8.6-9.2 years, 95% CI 8.3-9.1 and 8.5-10.9, P = .001) but not for male dogs examined by GP vets or dogs of either sex examined by cardiologists. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This study suggests that the age incidence of murmurs associated with DMVD might be increased by application of breeding guidelines based on auscultation alone. This benefit was only seen in a subgroup and compliance of breeders with this voluntary scheme was poor.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28054393/