Companion Animals

Dog Aortic Stenosis: Cardiac Welfare in Dogs

Subaortic stenosis is the most common congenital heart defect in large breed dogs, potentially causing sudden death and exercise intolerance.

Key Facts

Golden Retrievers, Newfoundlands, and Rottweilers are most commonly affected
Severity ranges from mild murmur to life-threatening outflow obstruction
Severe SAS can cause sudden death during exercise in young dogs
Echocardiography is required for accurate grading and diagnosis
Atenolol reduces symptoms but is not curative; balloon dilation has limited success

Welfare Considerations

Dogs with severe SAS live under constant risk of sudden death and exercise restriction. Even mild cases require ongoing monitoring. Breeding affected dogs perpetuates the condition in future generations. Cardiac screening programs in susceptible breeds are essential for reducing prevalence and improving welfare.

What You Can Do

Have large breed puppies screened by a cardiologist if a murmur is detected
Restrict exercise in dogs with severe SAS as directed by your cardiologist
Support breed health programs that screen for cardiac defects before breeding
Follow up with cardiac echocardiograms as recommended
Learn CPR for dogs in case of cardiac emergency