Retrospective echocardiographic survey of canine cardiac conditions in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Abstract

Canine cardiac diseases are routinely diagnosed in veterinary practices across Malaysia. The prevalence and distribution of cardiac diseases in dogs are yet to be documented despite the availability of expertise and imaging modalities in Malaysia’s various small animal practices. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and distribution of cardiac diseases in dogs in Malaysia using a representative clinic with large caseloads. A three-year retrospective study (2015-2017) was conducted using patient records of 264 dogs from Animal Medical Centre (AMC), Kuala Lumpur. Data involving cardiac conditions and their diagnosis were retrieved and analyzed. Data were present-ed descriptively in percentages and relationships analyzed using chi-square analysis. Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) accounted for 65.68% of the cardiac conditions affecting dogs and was the most diagnosed condition using Doppler ultrasonography. Generally, age and breed were strongly associated (p<0.001) with cardiac diseases in dogs. Age and breed play important roles in the occurrence of cardiac diseases in dogs in Malaysia. As the dogs grew older, they tended to show clinical signs (p<0.001) of cardiac diseases. Therefore, adequate precautionary measures, including regular check-ups, strategic exercise, and the dietary regime, are needed to detect cardiac diseases, especially in geriatric dogs.