Research Communications of the 24th ECVIM-CA Congress

Fifty six dogs with MVD that had not received any heart medication prior to admission, were included in the study. Based on the ISACHC staging system, 22 were assigned to class I (Group A), 18 to class II (Group B) and 16 to class III. Small-breed dogs and miniature Poodles, in particular, were overrepresented. Comorbidities that could affect SBP were ruled out prior to enrollment. SBP was measured using a commercially available veterinary oscillometric device, by applying the proper cuff on the cephalic artery. Dogs were left to acclimate for 10 -15 minutes and measurements were always taken by the same investigator, before any other examination was performed, with the dog sitting on the owner's lap. A total of 5 readings were taken, outlier values were discarded and the mean of the 3 remaining measurements was documented. After initial consultation, treatment was customized according to the clinical stage. SBP was then measured every 2 months, up to 6 months after initial admission. At presentation, all class I dogs had SBP > 140 mm Hg, with only 5/22 having SPB ≥150 mm Hg, whereas all class II dogs had SBP < 140 mm Hg. Of class III dogs, 6 had SBP > 140 mm Hg, and 2 had SBP ≥ 150 mm Hg. A linear mixed effects model was used to assess the temporal variability of the measured parameters between groups.