How can I help my dog with MVD?
There is no cure for MVD, but fortunately, most dogs can be managed with the following:
- Monitoring. If your dog has mild MVD, they are unlikely to need medication to begin with, but they will need to be monitored at home and have regular vet checks.
- Medication.
- Lifestyle.
How long do Cavaliers live with MVD?
Once the MVD has been diagnosed, the average life of the dog is one to three years compared with other breeds that can be expected to live three to five years more. Initially, drug treatment such as diuretics help, but as the condition worsens, drugs are not as useful.
What can I feed my dog with mitral valve disease?
When a pet is in Stage B, Hill’s K/D or an equivalent diet is generally recommended. This is a prescription diet that can only be purchased at a veterinary hospital. Over the counter dog and cat foods contain much more sodium than is safe for a pet with heart disease.
How Long Can dogs live with MVD?
Once congestive heart failure develops, patients may live for 12-18 months with a good quality of life if appropriately medicated. Recommendations: If your dog is showing symptoms that may be consistent with MVD or develops a new heart murmur, discuss these with your primary care veterinarian.
How long do most Cavaliers live?
9-14 years
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a generally healthy breed with an average lifespan of 9-14 years.
How Long Can dogs live with mitral valve disease?
The rate of disease progression varies, but it most often takes years before clinical signs of CHF develop. After CHF develops, dogs are expected to continue to have an excellent quality of life with treatment, and most survive for an additional 12-18 months, although their survival time varies widely.
What kind of heart disease does a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel have?
About 10% of all dogs suffer from some form of heart disease. Mitral valve disease is the most common heart disorder in older dogs of all breeds. However, in the cavalier King Charles spaniel, the prevalence of MVD is about 20 times that of other breeds. Also in cavaliers, the onset of the disease typically is much earlier in the life of the dog.
How old does a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel have to be to have MVD?
Specifically, the statistics show that more than half of all cavaliers aged five years have murmurs, and it is the very rare cavalier at age ten years which does not have, at the very least, a low grade MVD murmur.
What’s the best way to get a King Charles Cavalier?
The best way to ensure you’re getting a healthy teacup King Charles Cavalier is by getting a mixed breed and asking the breeder for the parent dogs’ genetic histories and health records. You can also get the dog screened for certain health issues.
How to take care of a King Charles Spaniel?
Taking care of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel requires knowing the breed’s unique physical attributes, temperament, tendencies, and health concerns so that you can provide the best care for your Cavalier. The Cavaliers have very sensitive eyes. They can develop a range of eye conditions if not properly taken care of.
Are there any advantages to feeding a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?
There are advantages and disadvantages to feeding cavaliers home-prepared meals. The advantages include being able to feed the best foods and supplements for the particular health needs of the dogs. For example, nearly all CKCSs may be expected to develop mitral valve disease (MVD).
About 10% of all dogs suffer from some form of heart disease. Mitral valve disease is the most common heart disorder in older dogs of all breeds. However, in the cavalier King Charles spaniel, the prevalence of MVD is about 20 times that of other breeds. Also in cavaliers, the onset of the disease typically is much earlier in the life of the dog.
What kind of dog food does a King Charles Spaniel eat?
Royal Canin Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Adult dry dog food is designed to meet the nutritional needs of purebred Cavaliers 10 months and older Exclusive kibble shape helps Cavalier King Charles Spaniels easily pick up and chew their food Promotes heart health with taurine, EPA and DHA from fish oil, and L-carnitine for healthy cardiac function
Specifically, the statistics show that more than half of all cavaliers aged five years have murmurs, and it is the very rare cavalier at age ten years which does not have, at the very least, a low grade MVD murmur.