
Pulmonary stenosis in dogs is usually asymptomatic and those that show clinical signs from the first year of age.After the persistent arterial duct, pulmonary stenosis is the second most common congenital cardiovascular malformation in dogs.
Being a congenital pathology , It appears at the time of birth and can be associated with other pathologies such as interventricular defects.Keep reading this article from Animals and Pets Online to learn a little more about the anatomy of the heart and pulmonary stenosis in dogs , its symptoms and treatment .
The heart and pulmonary stenosis
The heart is a hollow organ that is formed by four cavities: right atrium, left atrium, right ventricle and left ventricle.In turn, these chambers are connected to each other and to the blood vessels by means of valves.
Then we have the left heart , which is responsible for the oxygenated blood entering through the left atrium to the left ventricle and, through a contraction, go to the general circulation pumping blood throughout the body.
And on the other hand we have the right heart , which is responsible for collecting blood from the rest of the body to lead it to the lungs where it will be purified.
The right ventricle ejects blood into the pulmonary circulation through the pulmonary artery.This blood flow is controlled by the so-called pulmonary valve.
Pulmonary stenosis consists of a narrowing of the ventricular outflow tract right .This narrowing can be located anatomically at the valve level (the most common variant in the dog), subvalvular or supravalvular, however, the clinical consequences in all three cases are the same.
Pulmonary stenosis affects both sexes, predominantly in males and in breeds that have a certain predisposition, such as the beagle, the boxer, the English bulldog, the French bulldog or the schnauzer among others.
Symptoms of pulmonary stenosis in dogs
Young and resting animals can be asymptomatic and in severe cases syncopes (loss of consciousness and body posture) can occur.
Due the narrowing of the valve, there is a greater systolic pressure (of contraction) so that the right ventricle will first dilate and then its walls will concentrically hypertrophy to compensate.
Cardiac output may fall due to reduction of diastolic volume and arrhythmias can be generated.If there is an associated tricuspid dysplasia, there may be right congestive insufficiency, that is, accumulation of fluid in the abdomen.Also prominent jugular pulse can be observed.
Diagnosis of pulmonary stenosis in dogs
Because it is a pathology that can sometimes be asymptomatic, the veterinarian can detect this disease during one of the routine visits of the dog.The tests to be performed are:
- During cardiac auscultation a strong ejection murmur can be heard in the left base that radiates to the right cranial thorax.
- The electrocardiogram may be normal or a pattern of Enlargement of the right ventricle.Ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias can also be observed.
- In thoracic radiographs a normal cardiac silhouette can be observed or a right ventricular cardiomegaly can be seen.
- The definitive diagnosis is given with an echocardiographic study, as well as its classification and severity.
- It must be distinguished from other pathologies such as pulmonary hypoplasia, subaortic stenosis, tetralogy of Fallot, etc.

Treatment and prevention of pulmonary stenosis in dogs
When it is a symptomatic cause , ascites (diuretics), arrhythmias (anti arrhythmic) will be treated improve cardiac output (pimobendan), reduce the volume of heart load and blood pressure (ACEIs), etc.
On the contrary, if it is a dietary cause the use of salt in the dog's diet will be restricted and omega 3 fatty acid supplementation will be needed.
It will also be essential to restrict intense physical exercise .
The dog may also need surgical treatment .There are different techniques such as valvulotomy, balloon catheter dilation, pericardium patch, ventriculoarterial duct implantation with or without, etc.
It is a disease with high mortality that requires a rigorous follow-up by the veterinarian, therefore we recommend strictly following the indications of the professional.In addition, dogs carrying this disease should not be used as breeders, because to its genetic character.
References
- Cardiovascular conditions in small animals.Berenian, Guillermo C.
- Congenital malformations in domestic animals.Joaquin Camon Urgel.
This article is merely informative, at Animals and Pets Online we have no power to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any type of diagnosis.We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian in the event that he presents any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Pulmonary stenosis in dogs-Symptoms and treatment , we recommend that you enter our Cardiovascular Diseases section.
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