SAS Heart Disease

On April 7th, 2010, Zahlman was diagnosed as having Severe SAS with mitral & aortic valve involvement, including early left atrial enlargement (that is what the cardiologist's notes say). The assessment further notes that animals with severe SAS have a poor prognosis, with poor exercise tolerance and early sudden death due to lMom and I are noethal ventricular arrhythmias. Death often occurs before the age of 3 years. Even though we prepared for news of heart disease, the severity of his condition is devastating. 

SAS can lead to heart arrhythmia, heart failure, fainting, or sudden death. SAS can occur together with other heart defects. The dogs that have mild SAS have a heart murmur and usually don't need any treatment. They can lead relatively normal lives. This dog would be unsuitable for breeding. Those with moderate to severe SAS are at risk for exercise intolerance, fainting, heart failure, irregular heart rhythms, heart valve infections, and sudden death. Severe SAS, when diagnosed as a puppy, may have a poor prognosis~the severity increases as a dog matures. Treatment for serious SAS can might include Surgery & cardiac catheterization to dilate or cut out the affected area, but even this may not significantly increase survival, so most cases of SAS are treated with medication. Usually drugs called beta-blockers, such as atenolol are prescribed. They protect the heart muscle and reduce irregular heartbeats. Dogs with severe SAS should still be allowed to enjoy being a puppy, but usually need restricted exercise.