Atrial septal defect in an elderly dog

Abstract

ASDs are most commonly seen in dogs (Guglielmini et al., 2002;Sanders et al., 2005 , MacDonald, 2006. Regardless of type, isolated )ASD usually result in a left-to-right shunting across the defect (Guglielmini et al., 2002). The clinical sings of congenital heart disease occur n ianimals younger than three-year-old and they are rarely seen in aged dogs Kittleson and Kienle, (1998; Guglielmini et al., 2002;Chetboul et al., 2006). Echocardiography is necessary to determine the diagnosis and severity of the shunt (Kittleson and Kienle, 1998). Treatment of small septal defects is not necessary. Medical treatment consists of systemic arterial vasodilation to reduce the severity of the shunt. Paliative medical therapy with diuretics and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors is used for treatment of congestive heart failure. Positive inotropic drugs may be needed if there is myocardial failure, often as a result of severe aortic insufficiency (Kittleson and Kienle, 1998).