Vitamin D levels in Dogs with Chronic Valvular Heart Disease | VETgirl Veterinary Continuing Education Podcasts

This was a cross-sectional study, and 43 dogs with CVHD were categorized according to the ACVIM Consensus Statement into specific stages (e.g., B1, B2, C, or D). The dogs in stage C and D were combined as one heart failure group. Stage B1 had 14 dogs, B2 had 17 dogs, and the heart failure C/D group had 12 dogs overall. Several of these dogs were on medications at the time of diagnosis. In the B1 group, 2 dogs were on ACEI; in the B2 group, 7 dogs were on ACEI, while 2 dogs were on spironolactone; and in the C/D group, a wide variety of CHF medications were used including ACEI, pimobendan, loop diuretics, spironolactone, digoxin, nitrates, and beta-blockers. All of these dogs had an echocardiogram performed and serum samples drawn on the same day. Serum BUN, creatinine, phosphorus, and total calcium were measured in addition to 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations. Exclusion criteria included any systemic disease that might impact vitamin D metabolism, or any other form of documented heart disease.