References

”Did You Know?” References

11% of dogs have heart disease.
Buchanan JW. Causes and prevalence of cardiovascular disease. Curr Vet Ther. 1992;XI:646.

Owners rate quality of life as the most important factor in treating dogs with CHF.
Oyama M et al. Perceptions and priorities of owners of dogs with heart disease regarding quality versus quantity of life for their pets. JAVMA. 2008;233:104–108.

Approximately 3.2 million dogs in the US have some form of acquired heart disease.
http://www.avma.org/careforanimals/animatedjourneys/pethealth/canine.asp, accessed August 20, 2008.

About 75% of dogs over the age of 16 have valvular disease.
Guglielmini C. Cardiovascular diseases in the ageing dog: Diagnostic and therapeutic problems. Veterinary Research Communications. 2003;27(Suppl. 1):555–560.

In dogs, congenital defects of the heart account for less than 1% of hospital admissions.
del Palacio JF. Congenital heart diseases: Part 1. Abstract at WSAVA 2003.

Valvular disease affects about 10% of dogs between 5 and 8 years of age, 20 to 25% of dogs between 9 and 12 years of age, and 30 to 35% of dogs over 13 years of age.
Sisson D. Valvular Heart Disease in Dogs. Abstract at WSAVA 2002.

Site References

1. Buchanan JW. Causes and prevalence of cardiovascular disease. Curr Vet Ther. 1992;XI:646.

2. Edmonton MH. School of veterinary medicine offers cardiology services. (LSU Today) 2002;18(40).

3. Rush JE. Chronic Valvular Heart Disease in Dogs. Proceedings from: 26th Annual Waltham Diets/OSU Symposium for the Treatment of Small Animal Cardiology, October 19–20, 2002.

4. Sisson D. Valvular heart disease in dogs. Abstract at WSAVA 2002.

5. Ware WA. Cardiovascular Disease in Small Animal Medicine. Ames, IO: Blackwell Publishing Professional, 2007.