When Is Treatment Recommended?
To gauge when treatment of heart disease should begin, it helps to understand the 4 basic stages of heart disease in dogs:
The latest guidelines from veterinary experts recommend that treatment for mitral valve disease begin at Stage C, when signs of heart failure are visible.1
It’s important that you bring your dog to a veterinarian for screening if it is at risk. The earlier your veterinarian identifies signs of heart failure, the sooner he or she can initiate treatment and give your dog a chance to live a longer and more enjoyable life.2,3
1. Atkins C, Ettinger S, Fox P, et al. Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of canine chronic valvular heart disease. J Vet Intern Med 2009; 23:1142-1150. 2. Data on file. Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals (Pty) Ltd, Animal Health Division. 3. Data on file. Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals (Pty) Ltd, Animal Health Division.
