Sinopsis

Chronic valvular disease (CVD) is the most common heart disease seen in veterinary practice. Three of every four dogs with heart disease seen in practice have CVD; one in every four elderly dogs has it. This clear and simple visual guide provides all the tools that a primary care veterinary practitioner needs to treat this disease successfully.

Índice

1. Read me first
Mitral valve anatomy
Aetiology of chronic valvular disease
What is chronic valvular disease?
What is congestive heart failure?
Summary

2. At the clinic
Prevalence and risk factors of chronic valvular disease
History
Physical examination

3. Diagnosis
Thoracic radiography
Electrocardiography
Echocardiography
Cardiac biomarkers
Six simple ways to differentiate CVD from respiratory disease

4. General aspects of patient treatment and clinical management
Treatment
CVD treatment strategy
Summary of the most commonly used drugs in CVD-induced CHF treatment

5. Treatment of CVD-induced CHF at each disease stage
Treatment of asymptomatic CVD patients
Treatment of patients with advanced CVD-induced CHF

6. Client education
How does the heart work?
What is the mitral valve?
What happens if the mitral valve does not close properly?
What is chronic valvular disease?
Could my dog have CVD?
What are the clinical signs of CVD?
How is CVD diagnosed?
Is CVD treatable?
How long can my dog live with CVD?
What should I do if my dog is diagnosed with CVD?

Appendix I. Table of doses

References