The Royal Veterinary College’s world-leading Queen Mother Hospital for Animals has launched a new treatment option for dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease, called trans-catheter edge-to-edge repair. The RVC is the first centre worldwide to offer TEER, open-heart surgery and medical treatment for the disease in dogs.
DMVD is the most common heart disease in dogs. The condition sees the mitral valve thicken and become leaky, causing blood to flow backwards into the heart's left atrium. This condition, most frequent in smaller, older dogs, leads to the heart chambers enlarging and eventually can cause heart failure. However, while incurable, it can be managed with medication and treatment to extend life.
TEER is a relatively new procedure aimed at helping manage the disease. It has only been available since 2020 in Asia and 2021 in the USA. Now that more dogs have undergone TEER, the industry has more information on how well it works and its risks. About 95% of dogs have been found to recover well after the procedure and have less valve leakage, meaning many dogs reduce or stop their heart medications afterwards. In total, for dogs who already had heart failure, 80% were still alive two years after undergoing TEER.
Therefore, the Cardiology Service at the QMHA has been working in collaboration with Bristol Veterinary Specialists to launch this new treatment option in the UK. The procedure is undertaken using specialist equipment, including echo machines at the hospital. It is a minimally invasive surgery that allows surgeons to repair the mitral valve on a beating heart. Dogs are up and walking the day after and are usually discharged within two days.
TEER is now offered at the RVC’s QMHA alongside open-heart surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass, which is still considered the most effective therapy for dogs with advanced DMVD. A joint evaluation by the cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery services will be conducted to ensure all treatment options are carefully considered for each individual patient.
TEER may be recommended for patients unsuitable for open-heart surgery, those seeking a less invasive approach, or when financial limitations preclude surgical intervention. Dogs may be a suitable candidate for TEER if they have severe mitral regurgitation caused by DVMD, heart enlargement or a history of congestive heart failure.
Dr Joshua Hannabuss, Lecturer in Veterinary Cardiology and Co-Head of Cardiology at the RVC’s QMHA, said: "It's truly exciting to offer an additional treatment option for dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease. I believe we’re entering a new era where minimally invasive therapies will become more accessible for managing this condition. With a clearer understanding of the safety, benefits and potential risks of TEER, we feel that now is the right time to introduce this therapy to the UK, and we remain committed to improving the quality and longevity of life for dogs affected by this disease."
