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==Introduction==
* Tends to affects middle-aged and older dogs.
* Primarily occurs in the mitral valve.
* Results in slowly developing heart failure
* The valves become swollen and misshapen
** The heart cannot pump blood effectively to the circulation from the left ventricle.
*** Blood passes back into the left atrium, compromising the filling from the pulmonary vein.
**** Leads to back pressure on the pulmonary capillaries.
***** [[Oedema|Oedema]] forms in the lungs, and can be heard as moist sounds on auscultation.
***** Reduces the oxygenation of blood leading to exercise intolerance.
*** Failure of the left side eventually compromises the function of the right side.
**** There is pooling of blood in the venous system i.e. in the [[Liver - Anatomy & Physiology|liver]].
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