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The neurotransmitter serotonin (5‐hydroxytryptamine, 5‐HT) has recently been suggested to play a role in the development of naturally acquired myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) in dogs.

To investigate the association between serum 5‐HT concentration and MMVD severity in dogs, and to assess potential associations between serum 5‐HT concentrations and dog characteristics, echocardiographic variables, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, presence of macrothrombocytosis, and plateletcrit.

A total of 120 client‐owned dogs.

Dogs were prospectively recruited and were classified by standard echocardiography into healthy (dogs of breeds predisposed to MMVD, but without echocardiographic evidence of the disease), mild, moderate, or severe MMVD groups. Serum 5‐HT concentrations were analyzed using an ELISA.

Dogs with severe MMVD …