Pulmonic Stenosis in Dogs

Category: Heart
Inheritance: Multifactorial
Breeds documented: 3
Published sources: 3

Overview

A narrowed valve can restrict blood leaving the right side of the heart on its way to the lungs. In pulmonic stenosis, the valve may be thickened, partly fused or supported by an unusually narrow opening. The defect is present from birth, but its effects vary greatly. Mild cases may cause no problems, while severe narrowing can lead to collapse or heart failure.

Signs to watch for

Tiring easily during exercise
Fainting or collapsing, especially with activity
Poor growth in a puppy
A swollen belly if heart failure develops

Present from birth, although some dogs never develop noticeable signs.

Emergency Go to an emergency vet now if your dog collapses.

Diagnosis and tests

A vet may first detect a heart murmur while listening to the chest. A heart ultrasound, called an echocardiogram, shows the valve and measures blood flow through the narrowed opening. These findings establish the diagnosis, assess severity and help a veterinary cardiologist decide whether treatment is needed.

Breeds with documented risk

3 breeds

By breed size

1 Small
2 Medium

Boykin SpanielMedium · Sporting Group
Standard SchnauzerMedium · Working Group
Parson Russell TerrierSmall · Terrier Group

Inheritance

Multifactorial
Beagle, Bulldog, French Bulldog
Several genes and the environment together set the risk. Diet, growth rate, weight and exercise can all play a part. There is no single DNA test. Screening the parents (for example hip or elbow scores) and choosing from lines with good results lowers the risk, but does not remove it.
As stated by OMIA

We've gathered what published sources say about this condition, so you can talk it through with your vet. It isn't veterinary advice: you and your vet know your dog best.