Newfie in Oz
New member
Just wondering is any of you have ever owned a Newfie/other dog that had this condition, how'd you deal with it, what was the out come, etc...?
Have any of you ever owned a Newf with aortic stenosis?
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ardeagold
New member
Yes...a Golden. She had moderate SAS (Sub Aortic Stenosis). She lived a normal, active, busy life. She was on Beta Blockers and never had a problem of being tired or lacking energy.
One day, last September, Haley seemed droopy. I took her temp and it was 105! We went to the Vet and started on a regimen of antibiotics. Obviously she had an infection which is NOT good in a dog with SAS.
The antibiotics would work for a few days, then stop. Another antibiotic was tried. Combo antibiotics were tried. IV antibiotics were tried, but nothing got rid of the infection.
It had gone to her heart, and damaged it even further. There was nothing that could be done, and on September 25th 2005, three days short of her 1st birthday, Haley went to the Rainbow Bridge.
Now...I know that many dogs can and do live a good, long life with SAS. Activity did not hurt her...or tire her....she enjoyed the life of a normal, active, playful pup. We let her live her life fully...knowing she may not be with us long. But, in her case, if she had not gotten an infection, I feel that she could well be with us today. However, perhaps not. Many SAS dogs die via heart attack...suddenly, with no warning.
We didn't have her on prophylaxis antibiotics (daily)...we weren't told to do that...but with humans who have murmurs, it used to be the norm. It isn't anymore. However, for any type of dental procedure, or exposure to strep, antibiotics are taken, to prevent endocarditis (infection of the heart).
If you have a dog with SAS, ask about prophylaxis antibiotics, and if the cardiolgist believes they're warranted.
The severity of the murmer also makes a difference. Mild SAS dogs very often live long lives with no treatment at all. Moderate SAS dogs can live with it for years...and take a Beta Blocker daily to help (dosage is increased as weight increases). Severe SAS dogs probably won't live long at all. The heart would be extremely weak.
I hope this helps. Do you have a dog with SAS? Is he/she being seen by a cardiologist?
Oh...the parents are clear of SAS. They're 4.5 and 4 yrs old, no murmers. Obviously though, they're carriers. That's something that you cannot tell through today's technology, unfortunately. Maybe someday........
If there's anything I can help you with, please PM me.
[ 02-23-2006, 10:38 PM: Message edited by: Ardeagold ]
One day, last September, Haley seemed droopy. I took her temp and it was 105! We went to the Vet and started on a regimen of antibiotics. Obviously she had an infection which is NOT good in a dog with SAS.
The antibiotics would work for a few days, then stop. Another antibiotic was tried. Combo antibiotics were tried. IV antibiotics were tried, but nothing got rid of the infection.
It had gone to her heart, and damaged it even further. There was nothing that could be done, and on September 25th 2005, three days short of her 1st birthday, Haley went to the Rainbow Bridge.
Now...I know that many dogs can and do live a good, long life with SAS. Activity did not hurt her...or tire her....she enjoyed the life of a normal, active, playful pup. We let her live her life fully...knowing she may not be with us long. But, in her case, if she had not gotten an infection, I feel that she could well be with us today. However, perhaps not. Many SAS dogs die via heart attack...suddenly, with no warning.
We didn't have her on prophylaxis antibiotics (daily)...we weren't told to do that...but with humans who have murmurs, it used to be the norm. It isn't anymore. However, for any type of dental procedure, or exposure to strep, antibiotics are taken, to prevent endocarditis (infection of the heart).
If you have a dog with SAS, ask about prophylaxis antibiotics, and if the cardiolgist believes they're warranted.
The severity of the murmer also makes a difference. Mild SAS dogs very often live long lives with no treatment at all. Moderate SAS dogs can live with it for years...and take a Beta Blocker daily to help (dosage is increased as weight increases). Severe SAS dogs probably won't live long at all. The heart would be extremely weak.
I hope this helps. Do you have a dog with SAS? Is he/she being seen by a cardiologist?
Oh...the parents are clear of SAS. They're 4.5 and 4 yrs old, no murmers. Obviously though, they're carriers. That's something that you cannot tell through today's technology, unfortunately. Maybe someday........
If there's anything I can help you with, please PM me.
[ 02-23-2006, 10:38 PM: Message edited by: Ardeagold ]
Newfie in Oz
New member
Thanks for all the information I appreciate it.
Yes, my boy unfortunately has AS, his case is moderate, he is 20 months old and he currently suffers no symptoms what so ever (which we are very pleased with and pray every day that it remains that way). He isn't on any medication at all right now as the vet has advised us that beta-blockers aren't necessary at this point and that there would be no benefit putting him on this medication at present.
His condition hasn't changed since he was diagnosed as a puppy. Our vet has informed us that at this point it's unlikely that the severity of his condition will change and that it will most likely remain the way it is now.
We worry about him getting worse or suddenly popping off constantly, but like you, we let him do what he wants and if it happens it happens, at least he was happy.
Do you believe it possible, or do you personally know of anyone who's had a dog with moderate AS that's lived a normal, full life? Do you think there's a chance? Vets seem rather reluctant to say either way (I can see why though I suppose). I guess I'm just looking for some hope at least that its possible.
He was supposed to be vet checked and healthy when we got him (which obviously wasn't the case), but what can you do I guess, once I got him home that was it for me, even though he was diagnosed immediately and I knew his life might be a short one, there was still no way I would have given him back. It just annoys me because someone sold us a dog they knew was unhealthy and would very likely die early, I think it’s a very cruel thing to do to someone.
Anyway, thanks again for the info,
Glen
Yes, my boy unfortunately has AS, his case is moderate, he is 20 months old and he currently suffers no symptoms what so ever (which we are very pleased with and pray every day that it remains that way). He isn't on any medication at all right now as the vet has advised us that beta-blockers aren't necessary at this point and that there would be no benefit putting him on this medication at present.
His condition hasn't changed since he was diagnosed as a puppy. Our vet has informed us that at this point it's unlikely that the severity of his condition will change and that it will most likely remain the way it is now.
We worry about him getting worse or suddenly popping off constantly, but like you, we let him do what he wants and if it happens it happens, at least he was happy.
Do you believe it possible, or do you personally know of anyone who's had a dog with moderate AS that's lived a normal, full life? Do you think there's a chance? Vets seem rather reluctant to say either way (I can see why though I suppose). I guess I'm just looking for some hope at least that its possible.
He was supposed to be vet checked and healthy when we got him (which obviously wasn't the case), but what can you do I guess, once I got him home that was it for me, even though he was diagnosed immediately and I knew his life might be a short one, there was still no way I would have given him back. It just annoys me because someone sold us a dog they knew was unhealthy and would very likely die early, I think it’s a very cruel thing to do to someone.
Anyway, thanks again for the info,
Glen
ardeagold
New member
To tell the truth, it's entirely possible that he presented with no murmur and sounded perfectly healthy during the Vet check. It sometimes depends on when the Vet check was done. If it was done before 8 weeks, the murmur might not have been heard, as they appear after 8 weeks of age. In fact, it could have been done later than that, and never heard.
SAS is tricky and misunderstood by many people. Even a cardiologist can clear a dog at the ages of eight weeks to a year, via ascultation, and the dog can end up with a SAS murmur at a later age (3, 4, 5 or older). This is why it's recommended by the AKC (via the parent breed clubs) that ALL breeds with the potential for the heritibility of SAS or other heart problems have a heart check every two years. A Heart clearance is only good on the date it's done. It's subject to change.
A cleared dog may not be clear at all. The only way to determine if a puppy/dog is truly clear is to have a Doppler done, but the expense is great, so ascultation is the preferred method, unless there's a problem.
Mild SAS can go undetected for years. The murmur, although there, is so soft, that it can be and is, too frequently missed. It's definitely a shock to the owners when a dog who has been "clear" for ages, suddenly presents with an obviously loud murmer, and it's SAS! Or, when a puppy (like yours) has SAS and the parents don't.
It's really a mess when litters have been born to that dog or bitch, who presents with SAS at a later age.
Prior to that, the breeder may have had no way of knowing if it hadn't obviously presented in the dog's line. It could have been there, but never known ... because the dogs in the line that actually were affected with SAS died early from other causes (such as an accident, infection, etc.), or the deaths were misdiagnosed.
Most importantly, the sire and dam of the litter might well be 100% clear of murmurs for life, never affected at all. But they would have to both be carriers, if they're parents of a SAS puppy.
There's absolutely no way to know who's a carrier, until the unthinkable happens. That's why the sooner there's a DNA test for SAS, the better. Then there wouldn't be matings of two carrier dogs without knowledge. Affected dogs would be diagnosed early. Clear dogs would be absolute.
Yes, I know of dogs with moderate murmurs who live a long time...many years, in fact. But, no doctor will guarantee that. They just can't predict what will happen.
Keep that hope alive. And enjoy your boy every day. He doesn't know he's sick, so do your very best to not make him an invalid. I wish him the very best, LONG life!!
[ 02-24-2006, 01:31 AM: Message edited by: Ardeagold ]