Canine congenital aortic stenosis: A review of the literature and commentary

Congenital aortic stenosis usually affects the subvalvular region, and occurs mainly in Newfoundland, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, and Boxer dogs. The disorder is inherited as a dominant trait with variable penetrance in Newfoundland dogs.

The prevalence of subaortic stenosis-like heart murmurs in Golden Retriever dogs appears to be very much greater than previously suspected.

Most cases of aortic stenosis represent mild lesions, are detected as incidental findings, and result in no loss of longevity or quality of life. Moderate or severe stenosis may result in exertional weakness, syncope, or sudden death. Signs of congestive heart failure are rare unless mitral valve insufficiency is present.

Generally, electrocardiography and radiography are unrevealing in this disorder. Doppler echocardiography may be the best diagnostic tool to detect even mild cases of aortic stenosis.

At present, therapy is limited due to the technical expertise and expense required. The prognosis depends on the severity of the lesion.

     

Persistence of salmonella enteritidis in poultry units and poultry food

1. Studies on the survival of Salmonella enteritidis in poultry units and food were carried out over a two‐year period.

2. The organism persisted for at least one year in an empty trial house at the laboratory in which naturally‐infected broiler breeder birds had previously been housed. A similar survival period was seen in a building which had housed an infected layer breeder flock, although infection was not detected in a subsequent pullet flock.

3. Salmonella enteritidis was also frequently found surviving outside poultry houses in small pockets of litter and fan dust which had been left after cleansing and disinfection of the site. On some poultry units S. enteritidis was also found in wild bird droppings.

4. Salmonella contamination appeared to persist preferentially in association with dust particles swept from the floor and in food troughs and S. enteritidis survived at least 26 months in artificially contaminated poultry food.