PDA in Dogs

What is Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)?

• PDA is the failure of a large blood vessel (ductus arteriosus) to close just after birth.
• In a fetus, this vessel is normal and allows blood to bypass the lungs since the lungs are not used in utero.
• At birth, the vessel should closes within hours, directing blood to flow into the newly inflated lungs.

Who gets this defect?

• PDA is the most frequently seen congenital defect of dogs and is sometimes seen in cats.
• The most commonly affected breeds are Maltese, Poodle, Pomeranian, Keeshond, Bichon Frise, Chihuahua and German Shepherds.
• PDA is more common in females than males in most breeds.

Effects of PDA

• Pets have a greater than 50% mortality rate for patients with a PDA by one year of age if left untreated.
• Heart enlargement that can result in secondary left sided congestive heart failure (fluid in lungs).

How is PDA diagnosed?

• A continuous ‘machinery’ murmur is heard by the veterinarian.
• Referral to a board certified veterinary cardiologist such as those of CVCA for accurate definitive diagnosis via an echocardiogram (ultrasound or sonogram of the heart).

Treatments for PDA in Dogs

• Based on the size of the patient at time of diagnosis and severity of complications, we will recommend one of two procedures:
  • Transvenous Catheterization:
    • In many patients we use non-invasive occlusion of the PDA.
    • A long catheter is placed in a hind leg and passed into the abnormal vessel using fluoroscopic guidance.
    • A device called an Amplatzer ductal occluder is then deployed to stop the abnormal blood flow through the PDA.
  • Surgical Ligation:
    • Smaller dogs and cats require open chest surgery to tie off the vessel itself.
    • The procedure requires surgery in the chest cavity but does not require opening the heart itself.
    • We collaborate with board certified veterinary surgeons who have experience with this procedure to ensure a high success rate and minimize the incidence of complications.

Fortunately, with appropriate diagnosis and correction of PDA in dogs, the vast majority of treated pets will live a full and healthy life. Our veterinarians are board-certified for dog cardiology.

Printer-Friendly Version