title: Risk factors for coughing in dogs with naturally acquired myxomatous mitral valve disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cough often is reported as the primary clinical sign of congestive heart failure (CHF) in dogs with chronic degenerative myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). Concurrent airway disease and compression of the left mainstem bronchus by a large left atrium also have been proposed as potential causes of coughing in these patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the association between the presence of coughing and different potential causes of cough, including CHF, abnormal radiographic airway pattern, and cardiomegaly in dogs affected by naturally acquired MMVD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred six client-owned dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis performed on medical records of dogs affected by MMVD that underwent full cardiac evaluation, including echocardiographic examination and thoracic radiography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Univariate analyses showed that CHF is not a predictor of coughing (OR = 1.369; 0.723, 2.594), whereas abnormal radiographic airway pattern (OR = 3.650; 2.051, 6.496) and increased left atrial size observed radiographically (OR = 3.637; 1.904, 6.950) or echocardiographically (OR = 2.553; 1.436, 4.539) were significantly associated with coughing in dogs with MMVD. The same risk factors were significant in multivariate analyses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicates that CHF is not significantly associated with coughing in dogs with MMVD. Instead, abnormal radiographic airway pattern and left atrial enlargement are associated with coughing in these patients. This important finding should be taken into account when considering diagnosis and clinical management of CHF in these dogs.
authors: Specialist Veterinary Cardiology Consultancy Ltd, Biggin Hill, Kent, UK. luca@cardiospecialist.co.uk
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Ferasin
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Crews
authors: D S
authors: DS
authors: Biller
authors: K E
authors: KE
authors: Lamb
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Borgarelli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003371:Cough / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004285:Dogs; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies