Specialist in Veterinary Cardiology, Dr. Samantha Gomart indicated that pulmonic stenosis is a congenital heart disease (present from birth) which causes narrowing of the heart’s pulmonic valve, which connects the right side of the heart to the lungs. As a result of this narrowing, the right side of the heart has to work harder to eject blood.
Often, dogs with pulmonic stenosis don’t show any signs early in life and the condition is first suspected when a heart murmur is detected during a routine veterinary exam. To confirm the diagnosis and see how serious it is, your vet will recommend an ultrasound of the heart (called an echocardiogram). Based on the results, the disease is classified as mild, moderate, or severe.
Dogs with mild disease usually do not develop any problems associated with the pulmonic stenosis and may live a normal lifespan. However, dogs with moderate to severe disease may experience exercise intolerance or episodes of collapse. They are at increased risk of eventually developing right-sided congestive heart failure (characterised by fluid collecting around the lungs and in the abdomen, causing breathing difficulties and a pot-bellied appearance). They can also sometimes develop abnormal heart rhythms and, in some cases, sudden death.
Depending on the morphology of the valve and the surrounding vessels, different surgical options are available.
Balloon valvuloplasty is the treatment used for valvular pulmonic stenosis. It consists of trying to reduce the obstruction of the malformed valve via a minimally invasive procedure under general anaesthesia. This treatment involves passing specialised catheters guided through a vein into the heart and using balloon inflation to open up the restricted valve leaflets and try to restore normal blood flow. The balloon is then retrieved from the heart. In some cases, a pulmonic stent is placed across the pulmonic valve and left in place to improve the blood flow. This procedure is safe and successful in most dogs. When the procedure is successful, the severity of the pulmonic stenosis decreases, and the pressure on the right side of the heart reduces.
At Harvest Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital, we’re proud to offer balloon valvuloplasty and pulmonic stent placement as part of our advanced heart care services. Our experienced cardiology team will guide you through every step—from diagnosis to treatment and recovery—ensuring your dog gets the best possible care.
