Patent ductus arteriosis (PDA) is the second most common congenital heart defect of dogs.  The ductus arteriosis is a blood vessel that connects the aorta and the pulmonary artery in a fetus.  Shortly after birth this blood vessel should close.  When the ductus arteriosis is “patent,” this means it remains open after birth.  This “leak” causes the left ventricle to have to work harder to circulate the blood to the circulatory system.  If the condition is caught early and treated with closure of the PDA most puppies with this condition can live a normal life.

Heart murmur, breathing difficulties, coughing, exercise intolerance, lethargy, a bluish cast to the normally pink mucous membranes or cyanosis.  Sometimes the earliest physical sign is weakness or even collapse of the hindquarters during exercise.

Most experienced veterinarians can diagnose a heart murmur simply by listening with a stethoscope.  Since other birth defects also cause heart murmurs, the diagnosis should be confirmed with radiographs (X rays), electrocardiograph (EKG/ECG), and echocardiogram with doppler (cardiac ultrasound).

The conventional treatment is an operation done shortly after diagnosis. The PDA is closed with surgical suture or using special catheterization techniques.
 

For more information on heart disease, or if you are concerned about whether your dog has a heart condition, contact your veterinarian.

http://www.mirage‑samoyeds.com/heart.htm

http://petplace.netscape.com/articles/artShow.asp?artID=224

http://www.erinrac.netfirms.com/articles/heart.html

http://www.vin.com/proceedings/Proceedings.plx?CID=WSAVA2002&PID=2526&Category=408

http://www.offa.org/clinics.html