The diagnosis of Chronic Valvular Disease (CVD) relies on history, clinical findings and some subsidiary exams, mainly the echodopplercardiography, considered as a new diagnostic method in veterinary medicine. The aim of this study was to analyze several characteristics of CVD, contributing to the diagnosis and prognosis of this disorder, considered as the most common cardiac disease in dogs. Seventy dogs affected by CVD were submitted to physical examination, and to electrocardiographic, radiographic, and echocardiographic exams. The results ratified that the mitral valve lesion alone was much more frequent than both atrioventricular valves. The comparison between clinical, radiographic, electrocardiographic and Doppler echocardiographic aspects allowed to conclude that the last one is the most useful diagnostic method, with a good association between regurgitation severity and functional class of cardiac failure. Studying the correlation between murmur intensity and regurgitation severity, it was observed that the first one increases with the second. Concerning about the electrocardiography, normal results were found in many cases, even those classified as important regurgitation on Doppler echocardiogram. On the hand, the radiographic exam seemed to be very sensible, mainly in cases of important valvular regurgitation.

The present study was supported by FAPESP