Breed:
Age: 12
Diagnosis: Stage C
Surgery Date: August 7, 2018
Hometown: Northern California
Owner: Ethan Chorin
Primary Vet: Dr. Anne Reed, All Paws Holistic Veterinary Clinic
Cardiologist: Dr. Catherine Gunther-Harrington, UC Davis Small Animal Clinic
MVR Surgical Team: Dr. Masami Uechi, Jasmine Cardiovascular Medical Center

By the time we arrived in Japan, he was in very bad shape, after having gone into CHF briefly the month before. I had kicked myself for not starting the quarantine process as soon as he was diagnosed, as the disease initially seemed to be moving slowly. But it progressed rapidly in between two checkups, one of which I delayed.

Breed: Dachshund/Bichon Frise
Age: 11
Diagnosis Stage C
Surgery Date: March 31st, 2018
Hometown: Seattle WA
Owner: Ashley
Primary Vet: Dr. Darla Rewers, Ancient Arts Holistic Veterinary Services
Cardiologist: Dr. Mark Harmon Blue Pearl
Surgical Team: Dr. Masami Uechi, Jasmine Cardiovascular Medical Center

Milo was diagnosed with MVD July 2016. I was told he didn’t need any medication; this was just part of the aging process and his heart was just reflective of his age of 10 plus years. I was told to bring him back in a year. Milo returned to Blue Pearl in August 2017 and the previous Dr. had retired and Milo was assigned to Dr. Mark Harmon. After reviewing his Eco, I was told Milo had advanced stage B2 MVD and probably had

Breed: Cock-A-Poo
Age: 10
Diagnosis Stage at Surgery: D
Surgery Date: December 10th, 2018
Hometown: East Meadow, NY
Owner: Amy & Rich Sinensky
Primary Vet: Dr. Marc Wallach, University Animal Hospital
Cardiologist: Dr. Joshua Morgenstern, VMCLI
Surgical Team: RVC, Drs. Dan Brockman & Poppy Bristow

Tiger was diagnosed in March 2018 with a grade IV heart murmur, MVD stage C and severe Pulmonary Hypertension. She was nine years and a half years old. Her only symptom at the time was a persistent cough. She was a very happy and active dog. Our primary Veterinarian, Dr. Wallach informed us in December of 2017 that Tiger probably had a year to live with medication.

Breed: Long Hair Chihuahua
Age: 12
Diagnosis: Stage C
Surgery Date: December 3rd, 2018
Hometown: Wilmington, NC
Owner: Jessica Ward
Primary Vet: Dr. Peter Dugan, Coastal Carolina Animal Hospital
Cardiologist: Anna McManamey, DVM, North Carolina State University Veterinary Hospital
Surgical Team: RVC, Drs. Dan Brockman & Poppy Bristow

Samson was diagnosed with MVD at stage B2 in late July 2018. He had a heart murmur that had escalated from a grade 1/2 murmur to a 4/5 during the first half of 2018. He had been on a low dose of Enalapril to help his blood pressure ever since the mild murmur had started one year prior. He was prescribed Vetmedin by Dr. Dugan and I requested a referral to cardiology.

Breed: Yorkshire Terrier
Age: 10 years old
Diagnosis: Stage C
Surgery Date: August 14th, 2018
Hometown: Albany, NY
Owner: Whitney and Chris Sober
Cardiologist: Upstate Veterinary Specialties , Dr. Cassidy D. Sedacca
Surgical Team: Dr. Masami Uechi, Jasmine Cardiovascular Medical Center

In late October of 2017 I brought Chloe for her yearly checkup and they detected a slight heart murmur, they said it was about a grade 2. and that it wasn't a huge concern at that time and would keep an eye on it every 6 months. Shortly after her checkup and vaccinations Chloe started coughing, they treated her for possible kennel cough. A few weeks later I noticed extreme labored breathing, rates in the 60s and took her straight to the animal hospital

Breed: Maltese
Age: 9 years old
Diagnosis: Stage C Surgery Date: October 15th, 2018
Hometown: Newmarket, Ontario Canada Owner: Candice Grant/Peter Maier Cardiologist: Toronto Veterinary Emergency Hospital, Dr. Jonathan. Lichtenberger Surgical Team: RVC, Drs. Dan Brockman & Poppy Bristow

Sophie had to be rushed to the ER Vet four times between April 2018 and September 2018. The fourth time (September of 2018), Sophie collapsed at home and had to be revived using CPR before being rushed to the ER Vet Hospital. Sophie was scheduled for surgery in Japan in January of 2019. We were very worried that she wouldn’t make it

Breed: Yorkshire Terrier
Age: 10 years old
Diagnosis: Stage C
Surgery Date: January 29, 2018
Hometown: New York, NY
Owner: LiLi L
Cardiologist: Dr. George Kramer, ACVS
Surgical Team: France, Drs. Masami Uechi, Sabine & Jean Hugues Bozon

ToTo is a 10 year old Yorkshire Terrier from New York, NY. ToTo had a totally clean bill of health until a low grade murmur was detected in July of 2016. X-rays and echocardiogram at the time did not conclude treatment, just a follow up one year later. During pre-check for teeth cleaning three weeks ago, March 2017, blood work came back with slightly elevated enzymes in the liver; and x-ray showed a much more enlarged heart than last summer.

Breed: Miniature Australian Shepherd
Age: 11 years old
Diagnosis: Stage D Surgery Date: July 25th, 2018
Hometown: Portland, OR Owner: Stefani Murray Instagram: @kodawoof
Cardiologist: Dr. Gary Wood at Cardiology Northwest
Surgical Team: Dr. Masami Uechi, Jasmine Cardiovascular Medical Center

Koda’s symptoms came on suddenly and rapidly. He had his yearly check up with his primary care veterinarian in April 2017 with no noticeable murmur whatsoever. Yet in late October 2017 he began coughing consistently, so I took him to be seen by his primary care veterinarian and was referred to a cardiologist immediately.

Breed: Mini Schnauzer mix
Age: 12 years old
Diagnosis: Stage C Surgery Date: February 1, 2018
Hometown: Tampa, FL Owner: Julieanne & Bill Schmidt
Cardiologist: Dr. Simon Swift, UFL Primary Vet: Hyde Park Veterinary Clinic
Surgical Team: France, Drs. Masami Uechi, Sabine & Jean Hugues Bozon

In July 2014 a level 2 murmur was detected during a routine visit at UF prior to his third dental cleaning and an echocardiogram confirmed Mitral Valve Disease. His murmur progressed to level 5 and in September 2017 he developed an exercise intolerance. He was taken to his primary care vet and and an x-ray confirmed the worst - congestive heart failure. Dutch went on Lasix for the fluid in his lungs, enalapril and pimobendan.

Breed: Maltese
Age: 8
Diagnosis: Stage D
Surgery Date: April 16, 2018
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Owner: Sandy Nam Cardiologist : Dr. Timothy Hodge, UC Veterinary Medical Center, San Diego
Surgical Team: Dr. Masami Uechi & Team at, Jasmine Cardiovascular Medical Center

In January of 2017 I took Simba in for his annual health check-up and the vet noticed a slightly enlarged heart. I was advised to take him to the cardiologist where I was told everything was fine and that he didn’t need to be on medication at the time. Approximately 1 month after his second cardiologist visit on August 11, 2017, Simba went into congestive heart failure (CHF). A month later, he had another episode and I cried every night reading about this terrible disease.

Breed: Shih Tzu
Age: 7
Diagnosis Stage: C
Surgery Date: June 30th, 2018
Hometown: Milford, NH
Owner: Nat and Sandy Ambrose
Primary Veterinarian: Dr. Cheryl Donnell, Milford Veterinary Hospital
Cardiologist: Dr. Ivan Sosa Samper, Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital
Surgical Team: France, Drs. Masami Uechi, Sabine & Jean Hugues Bozon

Bailey is a rescue dog that we adopted in Virginia in 2012. We fell in love with him the second we saw him. His diagnosis with MVD was devastating to us and we wanted to do anything we could to help him. During his annual check up in 2015 he was diagnosed with a heart murmur. Our vet said it was nothing to be concerned with at that time. He was fine until April of 2017 when we found out he had Mitral Valve Disease and his murmur was upgraded to Stage B2. We took him to a cardiologist and he was started on heart medication to try and slow down the disease.

Breed: Chinese Crested Hairless
Age: 8 years old
Diagnosis: Stage C
Surgery Date: April 19, 2018
Hometown: Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
Owner: Anonymous
Instagram @keishakess
Cardiologist: Niek Beijerink, Richard Woolley
Primary Vet: Advanced VetCare
Surgical Team: Dr. Masami Uechi & Team at, Jasmine Cardiovascular Medical Center

Keisha first presented a stage 2 murmur in April 2017. No treatment was recommended at the time. On 17th December 2017 she was given diagnosis of MVD with CHF and placed on furosemide and spironolactone. Her ultrasound showed very enlarged heart (size of a Doberman) and damaged mitral valve, ruptured chords. After several CHF episodes, surgical options were researched and Jasmine vets in Japan referred Keisha to Niek Beijerink at University of Sydney. Keisha had surgery at University of Sydney with Dr. Uechi on April 19, 2018.

Breed: Maltese
Age: 9
Diagnosis Stage: C
Surgery Date: July 23rd, 2018
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Owner: Kate Lim
Primary Veterinarian: Dr. Shannon Leggieri, Claremont Veterinary Hospital
Cardiologist: Dr. Satoko Nishimura & Dr. Kate Woodruff
Surgical Team: Dr. Masami Uechi, Jasmine Cardiovascular Medical Center

In early December 2017 Dot went into congestive heart failure after 3 years of a mild heart murmur. I found out because he started lifting his nose in the air and refused to lay down. My family and I were all devastated and immediately went to UC Davis's cardiology hospital. We heard about the mitral valve repair surgery for dogs but weren't sure if it was reliable. We were so lucky because we met Dr. Nishimura who knew Dr. Uechi and guided us through the process and introduced me to the Mighty Hearts Project.

Breed: American Eskimo
Age: 8 Diagnosis
Stage: C
Surgery Date: June 4th, 2018
Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska
Owner: Sarah Ballard
Primary Veterinarian: Dr. Alison Capitan, College Village Animal Clinic
Cardiologist: Dr. Dawn Webber, Arctic Echoes Veterinary Cardiology
Surgical Team: Dr. Masami Uechi, Jasmine Cardiovascular Medical Center

During a weekend in September 2017 I noticed Pedey was coughing more and seemed lethargic. I took him to the vet the next day. They performed a chest x-ray and found his heart to be severely enlarged. I thought it looked like a football it was so big. I was able to get him to a cardiologist the following day and he was diagnosed with mitral valve disease and congestive heart failure. He had a grade 4-5/6 left apical systolic murmur and his left atrium and ventricle were both severely enlarged.

Breed: Long coat Chihuahua
Age: 12
Diagnosis Stage: C/D
Surgery Date: July 7th, 2018
Hometown: Osaka, Japan
Owner: Angélique Nakayama
Cardiologist: Dr. Yoshiro Fujisawa, Hyogo Pet Medical Center
Surgical Team: Dr. Masami Uechi, Jasmine Cardiovascular Medical Center

Tiara is a 12-year-old Chihuahua. She was diagnosed with MVD on Nov. 2016. Our primary care vet prescribed Apinac 12.5mg for the first half year. In May of 2017, Tiara’s murmur started to get worse, so Dr. Fujisawa added Vetmedin for her. But just after 2 months, she started to cough, and was having difficulties breathing. We brought her to the hospital and they did all the cardiology examinations.

Breed: Cavalier/Bichon mix
Age: 10
Diagnosis: Stage B2+ Surgery Date: July 16th, 2018
Hometown: Voorhees, NJ Owner: Danielle Wentz
Primary Care Vet: Dr. Justin Praslicka, Cedarbrooke Animal Hospital
Cardiologist : Dr. Megan Poad, UPenn Ryan’s Animal Hospital
MVR Surgical Team: Dr. Masami Uechi & Team at, Jasmine Cardiovascular Medical Center

When first learning of Charlie’s diagnosis in July of 2017 I was absolutely devastated. He has been my best friend and constant companion these last 9 years and we have grown inseparable. After many sleepless nights I had stumbled upon the Mighty Hearts page and just like that everything changed! For the first time, since Charlie’s diagnosis, I experienced HOPE!

In March 2017 we discovered that Charlie had a heart murmur when we went to our vets for his annual vaccination and checkup. Following heart scans shortly after we were given the distressing news that Charlie had MVD and that other than managing the disease there was nothing that could be done and we would lose him within 18 months or so. After much research I discovered that surgery may be a possibility and learned about the amazing work of Dr. Masami Uechi. I also discovered that Dr. Dan Brockman at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in the UK

Breed: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Age: 9
Diagnosis: Stage D
Surgery Date: March 12, 2018
Hometown: Rogers, Arkansas
Owner: Cory and Ashley Brown
Primary Vet: Leeth Harper, DVM, Village Pet Hospital
Cardiologist : Ryan Baumwart, DVM, DACVIM-Cardiology
MVR Surgical Team: Dr. Masami Uechi & Team at, Jasmine Cardiovascular Medical Center

Riggs was diagnosed at the age of 5 with the common early onset heart murmur seen in many cavaliers. He was maintained on only Enalapril for 3 years and had echos done every 6 months. He had slowly been having an increase in his heart size but nothing dramatic or that warranted further medication. At the age of 8, Riggs started coughing and having increased respiratory rates. It took several attempts and different veterinarians and specialists to find the right medication combination at that time to help him.

Breed: Corgi/Chihuahua mix
Age: 9
Diagnosis: Stage B2
Surgery Date: May 29, 2018
Hometown: NYC
Owner: Marnie Briskin
Cardiologist : Dr. Risa Roland, Metropolitan Veterinary Associates
MVR Surgical Team: Dr. Masami Uechi & Team at, Jasmine Cardiovascular Medical Center

Stella was first diagnosed in November 2016 with a heart murmur by her vet during a routine check up. It was recommended that I take her for an echo just in case. After the echo she was diagnosed with chronic valve disease, so I took her to a cardiologist. At that time she had no symptoms and was not in need of medication. I was told to bring her back every 6 months for re-evaluation. Fortunately, when my cardiologist explained what the disease was and I asked if there was a surgical option, she had heard about the Dr. Uechi and said she would investigate what their protocols where and see if they would look at Stella’s records.

Breed: Miniature Labradoodle
Age: 8 years old
Diagnosis: Stage D
Surgery Date: March 26, 2018
Hometown: Cambridge, MA
Owner: Anonymous
Cardiologist : Dr. Ivan Sosa-Samper
Primary Vet: Porter Square Vet, Adam Parker
MVR Surgical Team: RVC, Dr. Dan Brockman

Rusty was first diagnosed with heart murmur grade 3/6 in August of 2016 while traveling and seeing a vet for an unrelated health issue. We were told at the time that heart murmurs are common and that it was unlikely it would progress to anything more serious. In January 2018, Rusty suddenly and with no warning whatsoever started coughing repeatedly. After a quick visit to the ER, he was misdiagnosed with kennel cough and given antibiotics. Two days later with his cough getting much worse, he finally got imaged and was diagnosed with MVD Stage B2 and CHF. We were (once again) traveling at the time and were advised that he may not even survive.