Dog Aortic Stenosis Screening | Animal Welfare Hub

Subaortic stenosis is a hereditary heart defect in Newfoundlands and Golden Retrievers causing sudden death in young dogs, with breeding screening programs reducing its prevalence.

Key Facts

Subaortic stenosis causes a fibrous ridge below the aortic valve restricting blood flow
Newfoundlands, Golden Retrievers, and Rottweilers have the highest breed prevalence
Mild stenosis may never cause clinical problems while severe stenosis causes sudden death
Young dogs with severe stenosis may die during exercise or excitement without warning
Auscultation detects a characteristic murmur but echocardiography is required for grading
No effective medical treatment exists - surgical options are available only in specialized centers
The OFA Cardiac Database registers dogs screened by board-certified cardiologists
Breeding only dogs with mild or no stenosis gradually reduces population prevalence

Welfare Considerations

Severe subaortic stenosis causes sudden death in apparently healthy young dogs - often during exercise when owners are playing with their pet. The psychological trauma of sudden unexpected death is devastating for owners. Subclinical severe stenosis causes exercise intolerance and episodes of fainting that reduce quality of life before the fatal event. Breeding screening programs that identify and exclude affected dogs prevent future generations from carrying the defect forward. Cardiac screening is one of the clearest examples where veterinary practice and ethical breeding directly protect future dog welfare.

What You Can Do

Ensure breeding Newfoundlands and Golden Retrievers have OFA cardiac clearances
Purchase puppies from breeders who provide cardiac screening documentation for both parents
Request echocardiographic grading if a murmur is detected in a young large breed dog
Restrict exercise appropriately in dogs diagnosed with moderate to severe subaortic stenosis
Support OFA and breed club cardiac health programs