Associated Risk Factors, Staging, and Median Survival Time of Dogs with Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease

Abstract

Reports on degenerative mitral valve disease in dogs in Malaysia are limited. This retrospective cohort study investigated the association between gender, age group, and breed size with respect to the risk of degenerative mitral valve disease. The median survival time of the dogs in stages B2, C, and D and levels of owners’ compliance were also estimated. Canine case records at University Veterinary Hospital, University Putra Malaysia from July 2013 to July 2021 were reviewed. Owners were contacted to ascertain their compliance with the treatments and the current status (deceased/alive) of their pet dog. The risk factors were analyzed through a logistic regression model and median survival time was determined through the Kaplan–Meier estimator curve. In this study, 306 out of 753 (40.6%) dogs with heart disease had degenerative mitral valve disease. Following an adjustment to the age group, small breed size was the only significant risk factor (p < .001). Dogs in B2 had the longest median survival time (p < .001), while compliance to treatment was associated with longer median survival time in dogs in Stages C (p=.015) and D (p=.001). The findings of this study may help in motivating owners to pursue long-term treatment and management of dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease.