Enlarged left atrium

[gladblock]

Hi:

I just learned that the terrible coughing that our dog has been experiencing is from an enlarged left atrium and that he has a "class 3" murmur also.  His lungs have been filling with fluid too.  We learned from the specialist that did the echocardiogram that this is treatable with medication.  I can't seem to find any information about the cause or treatment recommendations for this ailment -  I am a "needs to know" "parent"!

Any help or info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
G

[Cleveland Clinic]

Please address this issue with the dog's vet.  However, indeed, as in humans, this most likely represent severe mitral regurgitation that at this point needs to be treated with afterload reduction and diuretics.

[erijon]

Did you really mean to post a question about a dog on the Cardiology / Heart Disease Expert forum? There is a forum for pet questions, this forum is for prople that need advice from a cardiologist. Don't get me wrong, I have two toy poodles that are my world and mean everything to me and since my kids married and moved out they have replaced them as the "kids" in the family, I just don't think you'll get the answers you're looking for here. You should try the pet forum under the forum icon. I don't want to speak for the doctors, but I don't know if they will feel qualified to answer such a question

Good luck!