Go Pets America
Showcase Ads	Animal Care Jobs
Advertise	Pet Friendly Award
Blogs	Animals
Garden	Pet Supplies

Pulmonic Stenosis, Pulmonary Stenosis

Information on pulmonic or pulmonary stenosis (PS) - a congenital heart disease of certain breeds of dogs, including Boxer, Beagle, English Bulldogs, Samoyeds, Fox Terriers, Jack Russell Terriers and Chihuahuas. Learn about its signs, diagnosis and possible treatment.

Pulmonic Stenosis (PS) is an abnormal narrowing of the right ventricular outflow tract or stricture of the pulmonary, or lung artery. This abnormality leads to the enlargement of the right ventricle of the heart (a chamber of the heart which receives blood from a corresponding atrium and from which blood is forced into the arteries) and the increase of the heart blood pressure. The condition occurs mainly in English Bulldogs, Beagles, Samoyeds, Fox Terriers, Boxers, Jack Russell Terriers and Chihuahuas, but also has been reported in other breeds.

SIGNS in severely affected dogs include exercise intolerance, slow growth, labored breathing, accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, a bluish or purplish discoloration (as of skin) due to lack of oxygenation of the blood (cyanosis), weakness, fainting and collapsing, and sudden death. Health checks usually reveals heart murmur. The blood test may reveal an abnormal increase in the number of circulating red blood cells (polycythemia). Some dogs may have no clinical signs of the disease. The disease is usually detected during evaluation after a previously detected heart murmur.

TREATMENT involves surgical correction of the stenosis - plastic surgery performed on a heart valve (valvuloplasty) or balloon valvuloplasty (an alternative to surgery procedure in which a narrowed heart valve is stretched open using a procedure that does not require open heart surgery). The balloon valvuloplasty usually decreases the pressure in the heart and increases exercises tolerance but it has limitations.

Dog breeds that are predisposed to pulmonic stenosis

References:
1. US National Labrary of Medicine

Go Pets America recommends seeking the advice of your local veterinarian for the most appropriate vaccination program and for the diagnosis and treatment of your pet's health problems. For vaccination requirements please contact your state and local licensing authorities.