87 (5) pg 271-276

Title: 
Patent ductus arteriosus and pulmonic stenosis in a Labrador retriever
Author(s): 
S. VESTER, S. PIL, V. LIEKENS, B. VAN GOETHEM, A. BINETTI, J. SAUNDERS, P. SMETS
Abstract: 

A three-month-old, female, entire, Labrador retriever was presented after being referred becauseof a suspected congenital heart disorder. The dog did not show any symptoms, but on clinical examination,there was a loud continuous heart murmur with a thrill present (grade 5 out of 6), located atthe left heart base. Echocardiographic examination revealed the presence of a patent ductus arteriosus(PDA) and pulmonic stenosis (PS). One and a half month after initial presentation, the PDA was surgicallyclosed. The PS was treated with the ß-blocker atenolol and followed up to evaluate the responseto therapy and the potential need for a balloon valvuloplasty. This case demonstrates the necessity ofa qualitative and complete echocardiographic evaluation in young dogs with a heart murmur. Even ifthe cause of the heart murmur can easily be identified, in the present case patent ductus arteriosus, it isimportant to screen for additional abnormalities, as in this case pulmonic stenosis.

Full text: 
pp 271-276
Case report(s)