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Aortic stenosis (AS) is known to be an inherited disorder in some larger breeds of dog e.g. Newfoundland, Golden Retriever, Boxer and Rottweiler. It is a genetic defect causing a partial obstruction of blood flow from the left ventricle of the heart ... (through the aortic valve) ... and into the aorta. This means that the heart has to work harder to pump an adequate supply of oxygenated blood around the body.
This congenital heart defect may be mild and not affect the quality or longevity of the dog's life ... or it may be severe and result in symptoms, such as exercise intolerance and syncope (fainting). It is also one of the causes of sudden death.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to predict the severity of the defect from one generation to the next ... in other words, breeding from a dog with mild aortic stenosis could produce offspring with severe aortic stenosis.
Our own Glen, Breege, was diagnosed with SUPRAVALVULAR AORTIC STENOSIS in September 2002, at the age of 2 years and 8 months. To our knowledge, she is the first Glen to have been given a diagnosis of aortic stenosis, following investigations for a heart murmur.
She went to the vet for her annual check-up and was found to have a heart murmur. As we had intended breeding from her in 2003, we arranged a referral to a veterinary cardiologist, for a definitive diagnosis. Breege was found to have a Grade 2-3/6 murmur and ultrasound studies revealed a defect just above the aortic valve.
Prior to her appointment with the cardiologist, I tried to find out as much as I could about Breege's "family history", and whether there were any known heart problems in Glens. I was told that three male Glens had collapsed and died ... suddenly and unexpectedly ... in late middle age (8 - 10 years of age). One of these dogs was Breege's sire. As far as I am aware, none of these dogs had been diagnosed with a heart problem. However, since cause of death was not definitively ascertained i.e. no post mortems were carried out ... and we know that AS is one of the causes of sudden death ... we are erring on the side of caution and conducting a breed survey to find out whether there are any more Glens, who may have aortic stenosis.
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Please ask your vet to have a thorough listen to your Glen's heart, at his/her next visit to the surgery, to ascertain whether or not a heart murmur is present. Please let your vet know that you are participating in a breed survey, following the recent diagnosis of AORTIC STENOSIS in a Glen. |
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If your Glen does not have a heart murmur ... great! |
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However, if your Glen does have a heart murmur, you will need to discuss with your vet what further action, if any, should be taken. |
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PLEASE NOTE: For the purposes of this survey, we are asking that all Glens, from the age of one year old and upwards, have their hearts checked. A DATABASE HAS BEEN SET UP TO MONITOR THE RESULTS. When you submit your Glen's heart check findings, please include all his/her details ... Please also state either: |
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MANY THANKS FOR YOUR HELP! |
Please e-mail me at with the results of your Glen's heart check.
If you can, please also inform your breeder and/or your country's Breed Club secretary of your vet's findings.
If you would like any further information about aortic stenosis, there are some useful links at the bottom of this page ... or please feel free to me.
Thank you very much for your help.
Alison Seall, West Sussex, UK
October 2002
Updated Aug 2003
SOME USEFUL LINKS:
(Please click on your browser's "Back" button to return here)
Breege's pedigree
Definition of aortic stenosis
Recommendations for the control of aortic stenosis in Boxers
Information sheet for new Boxer owners
"The Genetic Gamble"
Questions and answers about aortic stenosis
