Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is the most common cause of canine heart disease accounting for approximately 75% of all canine heart disease. Asymptomatic dogs with sufficient cardiomegaly 2nd to MMVD (Stage B2) benefit from pimobendan treatment. Echocardiography is the gold standard test for diagnosis and staging preclinical MMVD but may not be available in all practices and in some cases may be cost prohibitive. Thoracic radiographs alone or in combination with other clinical information can be used to discriminate between Stage B1 and B2 MMVD when echocardiography is not available.
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