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Abstract

Although canine cardiac diseases are an important health problem worldwide, limited records document their prevalence in Egypt. Cardiac diseases may be of acquired or congenital origin. A prospective study was designed to report the prevalence of cardiac diseases in a population of client-owned dogs. Clinical, radiographic, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, and laboratory examinations were used to diagnose cardiac diseases. Cases were categorized according to the type of cardiac affection and the distribution. Demographic and biochemical data were statistically analyzed and expressed as mean and standard deviation (SD). The study population consisted of twenty different breeds, with the Griffon (n=20) and German shepherd dogs (GSDs) (n=14) the most affected groups. The male population (61.1%) was predominant in the affected breeds. The myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) (48.6%) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) (16.7%) formed a considerable population of the acquired affections. In conclusion, acquired cardiac affections showed only minor differences from previous geographical surveys. MMVD and DCM represent the most acquired cardiac diseases in the canine population.