Clinical and imaging characteristics of patent ductus arteriosus in Standard poodles and their crossbreeds

Abstract

Introduction/Objectives

Standard poodle (SP)/Standard poodle crossbred (SP-C) dogs have gained popularity with limited literature representation. The study objective was to report clinical, imaging, and procedural data in SP/SP-C dogs with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

Animals

Breeds included SP (12/30), Goldendoodle (9/30), Labradoodle (7/30), and Bernedoodle (2/30). At presentation, dogs were 0.6 years old (0.2–6.0) and weighed 14.8 kg (3.1–25.6). Nine had concurrent congenital heart disease. Thirteen required diuretic therapy.

Materials and Methods

A multi-institutional retrospective study including 30 client-owned SP/SP-C dogs was conducted. Data are reported as median and range.

Results

Intra-operative imaging was performed with angiography (n = 28) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) (n = 20), with discrepancies in morphology classification identified in six dogs in which both modalities were performed. Pulmonary ostium diameter measured by TEE, ampulla diameter 4 mm above the ostium measured by TEE (TEE-Amp4), ampulla diameter at the level of the aorta measured by TEE, and ampulla length were measured. Pulmonary ostium diameter measured by TEE was 4.1 mm (1.4–8.1), measuring 42% (35–66%) of the TEE-Amp4. Closure methods included the use of an Amplatz canine duct occluder (ACDO) device (27/30) and surgical ligation (3/30). The median ACDO size was 7 mm (3–12). Immediately after ACDO occlusion, TEE-Amp4 and ampulla diameter at the level of the aorta measured by TEE had a median increase of 21% (0–148) and 16% (4–59), respectively. Complications occurred in four dogs (intra-operative atrial fibrillation [2/30], device embolization following ampulla dilation with subsequent ligation [1/30], and postoperative death following PDA rupture with partial ligation [1/30]).

Study Limitations

Potential errors in breed identification and imaging could affect results.

Conclusions

Standard poodle and crossbred dogs can have large or unusually shaped PDAs, with TEE imaging able to provide anatomic information and intra-operative monitoring.