Penelope

Three  year old, Penelope came into our care in May of 2023. When we began her vetting she was diagnosed with a 4/5 grade heart murmur. She then had a cardiologist consultation and was diagnosed with Arrhythmia: VPCs Subaortic stenosis (severe) Subaortic stenosis (SAS) is a heritable heart disease. It results in the formation of a muscular or fibrous narrowing just below the aortic valve. There is a fibromuscular ridge of tissue just below the aortic valve leaflets resulting in severe sub-aortic stenosis. The left ventricle is moderately hypertrophied with normal indices of systolic function. The aortic valve leaflets demonstrate mid-systolic closure and there is evidence of dilation of the ascending aorta. Mild aortic insufficiency is also present .Penelope was prescribed  Atenolol. This is a beta-blocker used to reduce heart rate, cardiac oxygen demand, and also serves as an anti-arrhythmic drug. Sadly Penelope can pass away at anytime. .
Dogs with this condition are not expected to live past three years of age and she is now three and a half years old.