After all, heart disease is nothing that anyone looks forward to. But many pets face serious challenges from heart disease. Heart disease is the third leading cause of death in pets today! Misty developed heart valve disease many years ago, before he became a patient of ours. The thickenings along the valve caused a leak and the leak caused a reduced efficiency in the blood flow through Misty's circulatory system. ( for an overview of normal heart function click here)

Early diagnosis and proper treatment kept Misty feeling great even though the valves remain diseased. Frequent doctor examinations and periodic testing helped us manage his disease for over five years. 

There was no sweeter, gentler dog than Misty . And there are no dogs more loved than Misty was by his Mom and Dad. Their devotion to the high level care required to manage this type of disease was first-class. Our practice was truly privileged to count them as one of our clients. 

I think Misty was one of the luckiest dogs I have ever known.

There is more to Misty's story. Ask me the next time you see me!