Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine; Michael E. DeBakey Institute

What is heart disease?

There are both congenital and acquired cardiac diseases in dogs that may be improved or cured with medical or surgical intervention. One of the most common acquired dieases in dogs is chronic degenerative valvular disease (CVD), particularly of the mitral valve. Although the definitive cause of CVD has not been determined, the progression of the disease is well documented. The valve leaflets, responisble for preventing backflow of blood within the ehart, become thickened and nodular. The tissue surrounding and supporting the valve (the annulus) stretches. The valve becomes less flexible, the valve leaflets do net meet, and the valve no longer functions properly. The backflow of blood results in enlargement of the left side of the heart and eventual congestive heart failure. Although larger breeds can be affected, this disease tends to affect smaller dogs more commonly. Mitral valve repair or replacement may help arrest the progression of this disease. This is an open-heart surgery and requires the use of cardiopulmonary bypass and the heart-lung machine. Other cardiac diseases that may be improved with surgery include sub-aortic stenosis, pulmonic stenosis, ventricular and atrial septal defects.

Are there any medications that can treat chronic valvular disease?

Once the disease has progressed to the point where your pet is in congestive heart failure, there are medications that may alleviate the associated symptoms and discomfort (e.g., coughing, difficulty breathing) such as diuretics and angitensin converting enzyme inhibitors. There are not, however, any medications that will alter or delay the progression of the disease.

How can I tell if heart surgery will help my dog?

Your veterinarian is your best resource in helping you to determine whether surgery might be indicated. Your veterinarian can communicate with our team and help decide a likely course of action.

What conditions can be treated by surgery?

Each case is decided individually. Many cardiac conditions exist that are amenable to surgical treatment. They include but are not necessarily limited to valve disease (mitral valve disease is very common in dogs), congenital abnormalities (ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, sub-aortic stenosis, pulmonic stenosis, Tetrology of Fallot, mitral valvular dysplasia, and others). In order to be a candidate the condition has to be known to have a poor outcome without surgery. However, the heart function must still be preserved. Dogs that have reached the end point of a lengthy cardiac disease cycle are not considered as candidates.

Are there certain conditions that are not treated by surgery?

At this time we are not offering a surgical repair for tricuspid dysplasia. This will likely change in the future.

What are my dogs chances of surviving surgery?

The total number of cases performed is still too low to offer any probability of success. We all want a surgical success but any prospective family must understand that there are still great risks involved. Each case is different. A normal healthy young dog could likely undergo and recover from cardiac surgery without complication. One that is older, with cardiac disease or other organ involvment presents a much more difficult challange.

How do I get an appointment for surgery?

All candidates are referred from your veterinarian. They will make the first contact to the team. Frequently, your referring cardiologist or veterinarian can forward copies of pertinent medical information that allows us to make a better determination. A cardiac work-up is then scheduled. If you are travelling from a great distance a work-up will be scheduled with a tenative surgery date. Only after the work-up and consultation with the team is a final decision made for surgery. The final decision will always rest with you, the client..

If my dog has surgery how long of a hospital stay can I expect?

You should plan on two or three days for the work-up and then 7 to 10 days for surgery and recovery. Plan on your pet being in the hospital for a couple of weeks.

Do i have to bring my dog back to A&M for follow-up care?

We would love to take care of the follow-up but it is not imperative. Many times clients are coming a great distance and we can work with a cardiologist in your neighborhood.

If surgery is successful does that mean that my dog is cured?

Your dog, depending on the condition treated, may still be on some cardiac medications. Each case is determined individually. For instance in the case of chronic vavlualr degeneration involving the mitral valve (similar to mitral valve prolapse in humans) a successful repair may well involve tolerating a modest amount of valve leakage. Changing the disease from a rapidly progressive one to a static, manageable situation would be a very acceptable result.

If sugery is not successful or my pet doesn't make it is there a refund?

No, due to the tremendous amount of resources involved in bringing your pet into the operating room and performing surgery there is simply no opportunity for any gurantees or refunds. In order to develop and bring this type of care to the status of a normal standard of care we must continually improve and develop.

What are the costs?

The cost to provide the surgery and aftercare is determined on a case by case basis. One can expect a range of costs from $5000 to as much as $9500. We will make an accurate estimate after the patient is examined by cardiology.

Are there payment terms or options?

Again, due to the nature and expense of the service the hospital requires a deposit of $4500 prior to surgery. Conventional types of credit cards are acceptable.

How do I contact the team?

Dr. David Nelson is the contact point for the team. You can reach him here or by calling the Texas A&M Small Animal Clinic at 979-845-2351.
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What is heart disease? There are both congenital and acquired cardiac diseases in dogs that may be improved or cured with medical or surgical intervention. One of the most common acquired dieases in dogs is chronic degenerative valvular disease (CVD), particularly of the mitral valve. Although the definitive cause of CVD has not been determined, the progression of the disease is well documented. The valve leaflets, responisble for preventing backflow of blood within the ehart, become thickened and nodular. The tissue surrounding and supporting the valve (the annulus) stretches. The valve becomes less flexible, the valve leaflets do net meet, and the valve no longer functions properly. The backflow of blood results in enlargement of the left side of the heart and eventual congestive heart failure. Although larger breeds can be affected, this disease tends to affect smaller dogs more commonly. Mitral valve repair or replacement may help arrest the progression of this disease. This is an open-heart surgery and requires the use of cardiopulmonary bypass and the heart-lung machine. Other cardiac diseases that may be improved with surgery include sub-aortic stenosis, pulmonic stenosis, ventricular and atrial septal defects. Are there any medications that can treat chronic valvular disease? Once the disease has progressed to the point where your pet is in congestive heart failure, there are medications that may alleviate the associated symptoms and discomfort (e.g., coughing, difficulty breathing) such as diuretics and angitensin converting enzyme inhibitors. There are not, however, any medications that will alter or delay the progression of the disease. How can I tell if heart surgery will help my dog? Your veterinarian is your best resource in helping you to determine whether surgery might be indicated. Your veterinarian can communicate with our team and help decide a likely course of action. What conditions can be treated by surgery? Each case is decided individually. Many cardiac conditions exist that are amenable to surgical treatment. They include but are not necessarily limited to valve disease (mitral valve disease is very common in dogs), congenital abnormalities (ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, sub-aortic stenosis, pulmonic stenosis, Tetrology of Fallot, mitral valvular dysplasia, and others). In order to be a candidate the condition has to be known to have a poor outcome without surgery. However, the heart function must still be preserved. Dogs that have reached the end point of a lengthy cardiac disease cycle are not considered as candidates. Are there certain conditions that are not treated by surgery? At this time we are not offering a surgical repair for tricuspid dysplasia. This will likely change in the future. What are my dogs chances of surviving surgery? The total number of cases performed is still too low to offer any probability of success. We all want a surgical success but any prospective family must understand that there are still great risks involved. Each case is different. A normal healthy young dog could likely undergo and recover from cardiac surgery without complication. One that is older, with cardiac disease or other organ involvment presents a much more difficult challange. How do I get an appointment for surgery? All candidates are referred from your veterinarian. They will make the first contact to the team. Frequently, your referring cardiologist or veterinarian can forward copies of pertinent medical information that allows us to make a better determination. A cardiac work-up is then scheduled. If you are travelling from a great distance a work-up will be scheduled with a tenative surgery date. Only after the work-up and consultation with the team is a final decision made for surgery. The final decision will always rest with you, the client.. If my dog has surgery how long of a hospital stay can I expect? You should plan on two or three days for the work-up and then 7 to 10 days for surgery and recovery. Plan on your pet being in the hospital for a couple of weeks. Do i have to bring my dog back to A&M for follow-up care? We would love to take care of the follow-up but it is not imperative. Many times clients are coming a great distance and we can work with a cardiologist in your neighborhood. If surgery is successful does that mean that my dog is cured? Your dog, depending on the condition treated, may still be on some cardiac medications. Each case is determined individually. For instance in the case of chronic vavlualr degeneration involving the mitral valve (similar to mitral valve prolapse in humans) a successful repair may well involve tolerating a modest amount of valve leakage. Changing the disease from a rapidly progressive one to a static, manageable situation would be a very acceptable result. If sugery is not successful or my pet doesn't make it is there a refund? No, due to the tremendous amount of resources involved in bringing your pet into the operating room and performing surgery there is simply no opportunity for any gurantees or refunds. In order to develop and bring this type of care to the status of a normal standard of care we must continually improve and develop. What are the costs? The cost to provide the surgery and aftercare is determined on a case by case basis. One can expect a range of costs from $5000 to as much as $9500. We will make an accurate estimate after the patient is examined by cardiology. Are there payment terms or options? Again, due to the nature and expense of the service the hospital requires a deposit of $4500 prior to surgery. Conventional types of credit cards are acceptable. How do I contact the team? Dr. David Nelson is the contact point for the team. You can reach him here or by calling the Texas A&M Small Animal Clinic at 979-845-2351. ---------------------------------top Home