Companion Animal Welfare

Dog Congenital Heart Disease Monitoring

Early detection and monitoring of congenital heart conditions in dogs for welfare optimisation.

Key Facts

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and aortic stenosis are among the most common congenital heart defects in dogs
PDA causes heart failure if uncorrected, but surgical correction in puppies is curative in most cases
Aortic stenosis predisposes to sudden cardiac death - exercise restriction and monitoring are critical management tools
Breed predispositions to specific defects guide targeted screening programmes

Welfare Considerations

Congenital heart disease in dogs causes welfare harm that ranges from sudden, devastating events (sudden death in aortic stenosis) to progressive deterioration. Early detection through puppy health screening enables both curative intervention (PDA) and appropriate management to maximise welfare throughout life.

What You Can Do

Ensure your new puppy has a thorough cardiac auscultation by a vet in the first weeks of life
Pursue echocardiography if a murmur is detected to determine type and severity
Follow breed-specific cardiac screening protocols for predisposed breeds such as Cavaliers and Boxers