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What heart condition in a dog is characterized by a systolic ejection-type murmur heard between the 2nd and 5th intercostal spaces?
Aortic stenosis
Pulmonic stenosis
Tricuspid dysplasia
Mitral dysplasia
The correct answer is: Aortic stenosis
A systolic ejection-type murmur that occurs between the 2nd and 5th intercostal spaces is commonly associated with aortic stenosis in dogs. This condition involves a narrowing at or near the aortic valve, which obstructs blood flow out of the left ventricle during systole. The characteristic murmur is produced when blood is forced through the narrowed opening, creating turbulence that results in a sound that can be heard during the contraction of the heart. The location of the murmur is particularly important; it is often heard best over the left side of the thorax in the specified intercostal spaces, corresponding to the area where the aorta is closest to the chest wall. In contrast, other heart conditions such as pulmonic stenosis would typically produce a similar type of murmur, but it would be more pronounced over the right side of the thorax due to obstruction at the pulmonary valve. Tricuspid and mitral dysplasia usually present with different types of heart murmurs, often associated with regurgitation rather than ejection-type murmurs. Thus, understanding the location and type of murmur is essential for diagnosing conditions like aortic stenosis correctly.