Aortic Stenosis

The following article was written by Rachel Peeples.

Aortic Stenosis is a condition in which the valve that allows blood to flow out of the heart to the body is abnormally narrow.  Because it is narrow the blood has to flow faster and with more force.  This creates two problems:  (a) the left ventricle (the chamber of the heart that pumps the blood out to the body) has to work harder and can become larger than normal; if the stenosis (or narrowing) is extreme the left ventricle may not be able to pump blood hard enough to deliver enough to the body resulting in fainting, exercise intolerance, left-sided heart failure, and possibly death  and (b) dilation of the aorta (the vessel into which the blood flows from the valve).

It is proven that this condition is a genetic one in Newfoundlands. Since the Labrador's foundation includes the Newfoundland it is supposed that it is also genetic condition in the Labrador although this has not been proven. Recommendations are to definitely NOT breed the affected dog and consider strongly not breeding the parents to one another again.  The incidence in Labradors is not high enough to warrant recommendation to never breed the parents to any other dog or to not breed siblings. 

Severity of clinical disease is entirely dependent on the degree of stenosis.  Severe stenosis will lead to failure of the heart to deliver blood and oxygen to the body resulting in fainting, exercise intolerance, organ disease, and eventually death.   Mild to moderate stenosis is often not associated with any clinical disease and the dog can live a relatively normal life although intense exercise is not recommended for these dogs.  Thus, if this pup has only mild to moderate stenosis which is probable if it is healthy, well-growing puppy without any clinical disease and the stenosis was detected via auscultation with a murmur the only sign, then it can very well go on to live a normal albeit exercise limited life without any treatment.  Owners of this pup should be advised, though, that the heart is predisposed to developing dysfunction and possible failure later in life due to the abnormal stress placed upon it.

There are surgical procedures being done at several of the vet schools.  These range from actual heart surgery to alter the anatomy to doing balloon dilation via the aorta to enlarge the aortic valve.  If euthanasia is the option decided upon, please consider donating the puppy to one of these vet schools (University of Pennsylvania, University of Tennessee, and Colorado State University) so they can try a  procedure.  If it works, they will most probably put the puppy up for adoption.  If it does not work then the puppy's death will not have been in vain. 

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