&geometry(309x90) "VSOS"){kind=logo}
Mitral Valve Repair Surgery At VSOS
Mitral valve repair surgery is an advanced treatment option for some dogs with mitral valve disease. At VSOS, we carefully assess each patient to determine whether this procedure is likely to offer meaningful benefit. The goal is not just to manage symptoms, but to reduce the leak within the valve itself and ease the strain on the heart.
Mitral valve repair is not suitable for every dog. However, for carefully selected patients, it may offer an opportunity to treat the leaking valve itself, rather than relying only on medication to manage the effects of the disease.
What is Mitral Regurgitation?
The mitral valve helps blood move through the heart in the correct direction. When it does not close properly, some blood leaks backwards into the left atrium. This is called mitral regurgitation.
As the leak worsens, it increases pressure and strain on the heart. In more severe cases, this can lead to congestive heart failure, where fluid builds up in the lungs.
Signs of congestive heart failure may include coughing, reduced energy, difficulty exercising, rapid or laboured breathing, and episodes of weakness, fainting or collapse. These signs require prompt veterinary assessment.
What is Mitral Valve Repair Surgery?
Mitral valve repair is considered the gold standard treatment for mitral valve disease in human medicine. In veterinary medicine, it is still a highly specialised procedure and only available in a small number of centres worldwide.
Most dogs with mitral valve disease are managed with medication. Medication can be very helpful for controlling symptoms and supporting heart function, but it does not repair the leaking valve itself.
Mitral valve repair surgery aims to address the underlying problem by physically reducing the leak within the valve. The goal is to improve how the valve closes, reduce the backward flow of blood and ease the ongoing strain placed on the heart.
The goal of surgery is to improve how the valve closes, reduce the backward flow of blood, and ease the ongoing stress placed on the heart.
The procedure involves two main components:
Mitral annuloplasty, which reduces and supports the ring surrounding the valve.
Artificial chordal replacement, which replaces damaged or stretched cords that help the valve close correctly.
Because the surgery is performed directly on the heart, the heart must be temporarily stopped during the procedure. A cardiopulmonary bypass machine is used to circulate and oxygenate the blood while the repair is carried out.
Dr Julie Kavanagh explains mitral valve repair
Veterinary cardiologist Dr Julie Kavanagh explains why medication remains important for dogs with mitral valve disease, how surgery differs from medical management, and what a successful repair may mean for an eligible patient.
Learn more:
Mitral Valve Repair Surgery: Our Results
VSOS has spent more than six years developing and refining its mitral valve repair programme, bringing together highly experienced Australian and international veterinary specialists to perform this complex surgery. Results as at 6 November 2026.
25
Surgeries performed at VSOS
96%
Patients discharged from hospital
100%
Survival to hospital discharge for Dr Kano's 19 VSOS patients
Of the 25 dogs that have undergone mitral valve repair surgery at VSOS, 24 survived to hospital discharge. Sadly, one patient passed away during surgery.
Internationally recognised surgeon Dr Nobu Kano has performed 19 of these procedures at VSOS, with all 19 patients surviving to hospital discharge.
These results reflect the hospital's experience, careful patient selection and collaborative approach to specialist care. As with any complex heart surgery, risks remain, and every patient's circumstances are individually assessed.
Meet the Team Behind the Surgery
Every mitral valve repair at VSOS brings together approximately 25 highly skilled professionals, including surgeons, cardiologists, anaesthetists, critical care specialists and veterinary nurses.
The programme is supported by Dr Nobu Kano, a specialist surgeon from Japan, who collaborates with the VSOS team to perform these procedures and help develop the expertise of the Australian surgical team.
Why consider surgery?
For the right patient, mitral valve repair offers the possibility of much more than symptom control alone.
If the leak in the valve can be significantly reduced, the heart no longer has to work as hard to compensate. In suitable cases, this may improve quality of life, reduce the progression of heart failure, and provide a much better long-term outlook.
While every case is different, the purpose of surgery is to give selected dogs the best possible chance of longer-term improvement by treating the actual valve problem, rather than only managing its consequences.
Is my dog a suitable candidate for mitral valve repair?
Mitral valve repair is not appropriate for every dog. Suitability depends on the nature and severity of the valve disease, the dog’s overall health and whether the potential benefits of surgery are considered to outweigh the risks.
Assessment may include:
A thorough physical examination.
Comprehensive blood tests.
Urinalysis.
An electrocardiogram, or ECG.
Chest X-rays.
An echocardiogram.
An abdominal ultrasound.
Some of these investigations may be completed by your regular veterinarian or by the VSOS cardiology team.
These investigations help our cardiology and surgical teams assess the severity of the valve disease, identify any other health concerns and determine whether the potential benefits of surgery outweigh the risks for your dog.
What if my dog isn't suitable for open-heart surgery?
Not every dog with mitral valve disease is a suitable candidate for open-heart surgery. Depending on the stage of disease and individual circumstances, other treatments may be considered, including medication or selected interventional procedures.
The VSOS cardiology team can discuss the available options and help you understand which approach may be appropriate for your dog.
What happens during the assessment?
Our assessment process is designed to provide you with clear answers and an appropriate plan for your dog.
We begin by reviewing your dog’s medical history and any test results provided by your regular veterinarian. From there, we recommend the most appropriate investigations to better understand your dog’s heart condition and general health.
Where possible, tests are performed promptly. In many cases, we can discuss the findings with you on the same day. Our aim is to ensure you understand your dog’s condition, whether surgery may be appropriate and what the available next steps involve.
Your regular veterinarian remains an important part of your dog’s care. Our team will communicate our findings and recommendations to help provide continuity throughout the referral and treatment process.
How much does mitral valve repair surgery cost?
Mitral valve repair is a highly specialised procedure involving a large multidisciplinary team, advanced equipment and collaboration with international surgical specialists.
The current capped price for open-heart mitral valve repair surgery at
VSOS is $70,000.
Our team can explain what is included in this cost, the assessment process and whether surgery may be an appropriate option for your dog.
Mitral Valve Repair Surgery in Dogs FAQ
Request a Mitral Valve Assessment
If you would like your dog to be considered for assessment, please complete the expression-of-interest form below. Providing existing medical records and echocardiogram reports will help our team review your dog’s circumstances.
Submitting the form does not confirm that your dog is suitable for surgery. Our team will contact you after reviewing the information provided.
