Aortic Stenosis in Dogs

What is Aortic stenosis?

Aortic stenosis is a disease of dogs characterized by ventricular outlet obstruction on the left side of the heart. Aortic stenosis is a congenital disease and is especially common in Newfoundland dogs. Aortic stenosis is also quite common in Boxers, Bulldogs, English Bull Terriers, German Shepherd, German short-haired pointer, Golden Retriever, Rottweiler, and Samoyed. In Britain, 50% of the reported cases today found in Boxers.

In dogs with aortic stenosis, the outlet is located between the aorta (the main artery of the body) and left ventricular far narrower than it should be. This narrowing can occur in three different places, at the same level as the aortic valve (called stenosis, aortic valve), the aortic valve (supravalvular aortic stenosis), or in the ventricle, aortic valve (aortic stenosis Subvalvular). Subvalvular aortic stenosis is the most common form of remote aortic stenosis in dogs and more than 90% of the diagnosis of cases of this type. Supravalvular aortic stenosis is very rare, but can occur in pregnant prostitute who gets supplementation of vitamin D.

Symptoms of aortic stenosis in dogs

Many dogs with aortic stenosis will not show symptoms at all and when checked by a veterinarian, the only sign of trouble will be a voice in the form of abnormal heart systolic murmurs. In dogs suffering from aortic stenosis, the voice will be more hard on the left side of the chest on the right side, at the base of the heart.

In dogs that do show symptoms of aortic stenosis, two of the most common symptoms observed are fainting and exercise intolerance. Dogs become weak, lethargic, and may have adverse levels of growth. In some dogs, sudden death occurs without warning. Aortic stenosis can be fatal if cardiac output became so disturbed resulting in the left side failed hot. Death from aortic stenosis but rarely.

Aortic stenosis prognosis

In order to provide you with a pretty accurate prognosis, the veterinarian will measure the pressure gradient stenosis on your dog. This can be done with Doppler or direct catheterisation. In dogs with a murmur 5/6 class and the pressure difference of more than 100 mm Hg, guarded prognosis and life expectancy is estimated to be no more than 3-4 years. A normal life expectancy of a dog with the possibility to murmurs 2/6 and differential pressure less than 50mmHg.

Aortic stenosis medicine for dogs

A large dog, aortic stenosis, mild enough to not require treatment. If the dog starts showing serious symptoms, your vet can give medication in order to increase cardiac output while controlling every abnormal heart rhythms. Two of the most commonly used treatments are beta blockers (b-blockers) or calcium channel blockers propanolol is one example of a beta blocker that can be used to treat aortic stenosis in dogs. 0.25-0.5mg/kg normal dose tid propranolol. Procainamide can be given to dogs suffering disritmia ventricle.