Congenital heart disease (CHD) covers structural defects of the heart and great vessels present from birth. It is uncommon in dogs, with an estimated prevalence below 1% (0.13% in a study of more than 76,000 mixed-breed dogs), but it is a leading reason for a murmur in a puppy and several defects are curable if found early.
Key facts
Congenital heart abnormalities at a glance- Species and system: dog; cardiovascular (PRAA also affects the esophagus).
- Most common defects: patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), pulmonic stenosis (PS) and subaortic stenosis (SAS); then ventricular septal defect (VSD). The order varies between populations.
- Classic presentation: murmur found at the first puppy visit; continuous left basilar murmur with bounding pulses means PDA until proven otherwise.
- Diagnosis: echocardiography with Doppler is the definitive test for all intracardiac defects.
- Genetics: many defects are inherited; affected dogs should not be bred.
- Not zoonotic, not reportable.
What's inside
17 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
- Pulmonic stenosis (PS)
- Subaortic stenosis (SAS)
- Ventricular septal defect (VSD)
- Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)
- Persistent right aortic arch (PRAA)
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management summary
- Prevention and breeding advice
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 4 tables, 2 figures, 3 self-test questions and 21 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.