Veterinary Clinical Medicine-I (General and Systemic)

PATENT DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS

• Congenital heart defect. Ductus arteriosis in fetal circulation bypasses pulmonary circulation; connects between pulmonary artery and aorta. At birth, constricts, pressure changes, closes becoming ligamentum arteriosum.
•  Usually left to right. Continuous washing machine murmur, loudest at aortic valve, often with precordial thrill. Bounding femoral pulses. Asymptomatic or left side heart failure signs (cough, tachypnea, exercise intolerance, weight loss). To manage ligate the duct or coils inserted through femoral arterial catheter (less invasive).
• Right to left shunting, lethargy, exercise intolerance, collapse, blue butt syndrome (hind cyanosis, normal front). No continuous murmur.
• Ligation is contraindicated. Control the polycythemia. Long term prognosis is poor.