Companion Animals

Dog Aortic Stenosis Welfare

Aortic stenosis is a common congenital heart disease in certain dog breeds causing exercise intolerance, syncope and sudden death, with welfare management centring on monitoring and medication.

Key Facts

Aortic stenosis affects Boxers, Newfoundlands, Golden Retrievers and other large breeds
Severity ranges from mild subclinical disease to life-threatening obstruction
Exercise restriction is recommended in moderate-to-severe disease to reduce cardiac demand
Atenolol medication reduces arrhythmia risk in severe cases
Breeding affected dogs perpetuates the condition; heart screening is recommended before breeding

Welfare Considerations

Aortic stenosis welfare management requires accurate severity assessment and appropriate exercise restriction to prevent sudden death. Breed health screening reduces transmission to future generations.

What You Can Do

Screen dogs from predisposed breeds with echocardiography before significant exercise programmes
Follow exercise restriction guidance strictly for dogs with moderate-to-severe aortic stenosis
Avoid breeding dogs with detectable aortic stenosis to reduce prevalence in affected breeds