Cardiac valvular and vascular disease in Bull Terriers

Vet Pathol. 2009 Nov;46(6):1149-55. doi: 10.1354/vp.06-VP-0230-O-FL. Epub 2009 Jul 15.

Abstract

The hearts of 27 Bull Terriers and 6 control dogs were evaluated. Heart murmurs were auscultated in 14 (52%) Bull Terriers. At necropsy, 25 Bull Terriers (93%) had myxomatous degeneration of the mitral valve or abnormalities of the left ventricular outflow tract. Small vessel arteriosclerosis in the myocardium and fibrosis of cardiac conduction tissue were common histologic findings in Bull Terriers with clinical cardiac disease. These lesions were also detected in dogs without clinical evidence of cardiac disease and only mild murmurs or structural valvular disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Coronary Artery Disease / diagnosis
  • Coronary Artery Disease / pathology
  • Coronary Artery Disease / veterinary*
  • Death, Sudden / veterinary
  • Dog Diseases / diagnosis
  • Dog Diseases / pathology*
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Heart Valve Diseases / diagnosis
  • Heart Valve Diseases / pathology
  • Heart Valve Diseases / veterinary*
  • Male