German Shorthaired Pointer With a Small Atrial Septal Defect
I've been told that puppies, while still in their mother have an opening between the chambers of the heart and for some reason sometimes it doesn't close. If this is true, how can it be prevented?
The second part of my question is, what is taking place in her heart? She had been in field training at the time the echo was done but by not understanding this condition and fearing heart failure, I brought her home.
I have never noticed any kind of symptoms that are associated with heart problems even during very vigorous activities such as hunting.
An atrial septal defect (ASD) is a hole between the two upper chambers of the heart. The wall between the upper chambers forms before birth, and sometimes it doesn't form completely, leaving a hole. Heart screening of parents is usually done by listening with a stethoscope, and ASDs often cause no murmur, which is how parents can pass screening. Screening lowers the risk but can't rule out every defect, and there's no way to prevent it in an individual puppy.
A small ASD often lets only a little blood cross and may never cause problems. Many dogs with small defects live normal, active lives. Ask the cardiologist how much blood is crossing the hole, whether the right side of the heart is enlarged, and how often to recheck. Ask too whether she can safely return to field training; many dogs with small ASDs can. Most cardiologists will advise against breeding her.
See heart murmurs in dogs for more on congenital heart defects.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
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