Disease Description: An abnormality (usually a hole) in the wall between the two chambers of the heart.
Inherit Mode: In the English bulldog and keeshond, inheritance is autosomal recessive, with variable expression.This means that either one of the parents can pass along the gene to its offspring; one normal parent and one parent with the genetic defect that causes VSD is enough to transmit the condition to offspring, usually to varying degrees. That means that a dog with a small, insignificant VSD may produce puppies with a similarly small VSD, a large and severe VSD, or sometimes no VSD at all (a type of carrier state where the problem may then arise in subsequent generations).
Disease Symptom: The extent to which a dog will be affected by this defect depends on the size and location of the VSD inside the heart. Many dogs with VSDs have small defects that may not cause any problems and are entirely compatible with a normal lifespan. Interestingly with VSD, the dogs with the smallest, least harmful defects are often the dogs with the loudest -not softest- heart murmurs. This means that having a loud heart murmur turn up during a veterinary exam, when the heart is checked (ausculted) using a stethoscope, is not automatically a serious problem. Rather, a heart murmur should be investigated further to determine whether a VSD is present (see below), and if so, how severe the condition is. With larger VSDs, the circulation is disrupted in a way that forces the heart to work much harder. In some individuals this can be tolerated without causing symptoms for a long time (months to years) but in others, life-threatening symptoms are possible even at an early age. Signs or symptoms associated with this disorder may develop within months or years, depending on the size of the defect, and they include shortness of breath and exercise intolerance. Rarely, collapse and cardiac arrest may occur in a dog with a VSD, especially if the defect is large and the dog is physically overactive. A veterinarian can monitor the condition of the VSD and the heart in an affected dog and recommend treatment, or consultation with a veterinary cardiologist, as required. Treatment may include medications to support the heart and to reduce congestion in the lungs, a special diet, and exercise restriction, but unlike in humans, repair of the defect is rarely performed because it would usually require open-heart surgery. Among puppies with large VSDs, it is probable that many die early, before 8 weeks of age or before they are examined by a veterinarian. For this reason, stillborn puppies or pups that die very young (before weaning) should be autopsied, because the assumption of "fading puppy" or "runt of the litter" as the cause of death often misses the point: the cause of death may have been a severe heart malformation like a large VSD, and knowing whether or not this is the case can be vital for future breeding decisions.
Disease Cause: -
Disease Diagnose: Often, as with most heart defects, the first indication of a problem is when the veterinarian hears a heart murmur during a puppy's routine physical examination. Sometimes there is exercise intolerance or respiratory difficulty, but this is usually in an older dog or a young pup with a large defect. It is important to note that normal healthy puppies without VSDs may sometimes have heart murmurs too, for a few weeks as they are growing up. Therefore, if a veterinarian identifies a heart murmur, the best course of action may be to wait 2-3 weeks and recheck (because "innocent" murmurs that puppies outgrow should be gone after 2-3 weeks, whereas the murmur of a VSD would persist) or simply to have tests to confirm whether a VSD is present. Diagnostic tests that are very helpful in this regard include thoracic radiographs (chest x-rays) and a cardiac ulstrosund (sonogram of the heart, echocardiogram). If a VSD is identified, then the degree of severity and impact can be pinpointed, and the long-term implications discussed. A VSD may produce no strain on the heart at all (many people have VSDs and live normal lives with them) whereas other VSDs may become life-shortening, depending on the extent of the defect identified with tests.
Treat Method: Overt symptoms caused by VSDs are treated when and if they develop. Treatments include medications to support the heart and to reduce pulmonary congestion, a special diet if medications are being given, and exercise restriction. None of these forms of treatment is useful (and some may be detrimental) if overt symptoms/signs referable to the VSD have not yet occurred. Two surgical options exist but are used very seldom. Where a large VSD has been identified, but before right-to-left shunting has developed, pulmonary artery banding can be done to decrease the blood flow across the defect, thereby reducing the circulatory overload on the lungs and the left heart.Another procedure involves actual repair of the defect, via open-heart surgery. This procedure is performed in fewer than 10 veterinary centers worldwide and carries a high risk; a veterinarian can help determine whether an individual dog is a suitable candidate for either of these procedures.
Breeder Advice: Affected pups and their parents (assumed to be carriers) should not be bred. Siblings that appear normal after careful physical examination may be used for breeding with caution. Their offspring should be carefully examined and, if affected, the breeding of the parents should be discontinued.
Disease Description Source: Link
Disease Name | Other Name | Mode of inheritance | Link ID | Possible OMIM ID | Gene |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ventricular septal defect | - | Multifactorial | - |
iDog Breed Number | Breed Name | Personality | Height | Weight | Breed Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
CB25 | Bearded Collie | Bouncy, charismatic, friendly; smart, but also stubborn and independent | 53.3-55.9 cm (male), 50.8-53.3 cm (female) | 20.4-24.9 kg | United Kingdom (Scotland) |
CB45 | Borzoi(Russian wolfhound) | Loyal, affectionate, regally dignified; a charming but independent-minded canine nobleman | 71.1 cm & up (male), 66 cm & up (female) | 34-47.6 kg (male), 27.2-38.6 kg (female) | Russia |
CB54 | Brittany | Bright, upbeat, fun-loving at home; a tireless, enthusiastic worker afield | 44.5-52.1 cm | 13.6-18.1 kg | France |
CB58 | English Bulldog | Calm, courageous, and friendly; dignified but amusing. | 35.6-38.1 cm | 22.7 kg (male), 18.1 kg (female) | United Kingdom (England) |
CB97 | English Springer Spaniel | Friendly, playful, obedient at home; hardworking and steady in the field | 50.8 cm (male), 48.3 cm (female) | 22.7 kg (male), 18.1 kg (female) | United Kingdom (England) |
CB141 | Keeshond | Outgoing, lively, friendly to all; a lover, not a fighter | 45.7 cm (male), 43.2 cm (female) | 15.9-20.4 kg | Netherlands, Germany |
CB142 | Irish Blue Terrier | Smart and alert; people oriented, with a dash of Irish humor in his heart | 45.7-49.5 cm (male), 44.5-48.3 cm (female) | 15-18.1 kg (male), females weigh slightly less than males | Ireland |
CB166 | Newfoundland | Sweet, patient, devoted; Newfs are famously good companions | 71.1 cm (male), 66 cm (female) | 59-68 kg (male), 45.4-54.4 kg (female) | Canada |
CB167 | Norfolk Terrier | Alert, fearless, fun-loving, and more sociable than the usual terrier | 22.9-25.4 cm | 5-5.4 kg | United Kingdom |
CB220 | Siberian Husky | Friendly, gentle, dignified; alert, but not aggressive. | 53.3-61 cm (male), 50.8-55.9 cm (female) | 20-27.2 kg (male), 15.9-23.1 kg (female) | Russia |
CB268 | Miniature Poodle | Intelligent, Eager-to-please , Charming companion | 25-38 cm | 4.5-6.8kg | France&Germany |
CB270 | Toy Poodle | Intelligent, eager to please, quick to learn and an affectionate, loyal pet. | under 25 cm |
2020 |
Brambilla,P.G.,Polli,M.,Pradelli,D.,Papa,M.,Rizzi,R.,Bagardi,M.,Bussadori,C.: :
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2017 |
Belanger,J.M.,Bellumori,T.P.,Bannasch,D.L.,Famula,T.R.,Oberbauer,A.M.: :
Correlation of neuter status and expression of heritable disorders. Canine Genet Epidemiol 4:6, 2017. Pubmed reference: 28560045 . DOI: 10.1186/s40575-017-0044-6 . |
2015 |
Schrope,D.P.: :
Prevalence of congenital heart disease in 76,301 mixed-breed dogs and 57,025 mixed-breed cats. J Vet Cardiol 17:192-202, 2015. Pubmed reference: 26363941 . DOI: 10.1016/j.jvc.2015.06.001 . |
2013 |
Bellumori,T.P.,Famula,T.R.,Bannasch,D.L.,Belanger,J.M.,Oberbauer,A.M.: :
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2011 |
O'Sullivan ML. :
Ventricular septal defect Cote E, ed. Clinical Veterinary Advisor: Dogs and , 2nd ed (St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby, 2011) pp. 1168-1169 |
2011 |
Oliveira,P.,Domenech,O.,Silva,J.,Vannini,S.,Bussadori,R.,Bussadori,C.: :
Retrospective Review of Congenital Heart Disease in 976 Dogs. J Vet Intern Med :, 2011. Pubmed reference: 21418326 . DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2011.0711.x . |
2010 |
Oyama MA, Sisson DD, Thomas WP, Bonagura JD. :
Congenital heart disease Ettinger SJ, Feldman EC, eds. Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 7th ed (St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders, 2010) pp. 1250-1298 |
2009 |
Diez-Prieto,I.,García-Rodríguez,B.,Ríos-Granja,A.,Cano-Rábano,M.,Peña-Penabad,M.,García,C.P.: :
Cardiac conotruncal malformations in a family of beagle dogs. J Small Anim Pract 50:597-603, 2009. Pubmed reference: 19814768 . DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2009.00815.x . |
2005 |
Shimizu,M.,Tanaka,R.,Hirao,H.,Kobayashi,M.,Shimamura,S.,Maruo,K.,Yamane,Y.: :
Percutaneous transcatheter coil embolization of a ventricular septal defect in a dog. J Am Vet Med Assoc 226:69-72, 52-3, 2005. Pubmed reference: 15646575 . |
2003 |
Baumgartner,C.,Glaus,TM.: :
[Congenital cardiac diseases in dogs: a retrospective analysis]. Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd 145:527-33, 535-6, 2003. Pubmed reference: 14639823 . |
2003 |
Rausch,W.P.,Keene,B.W.: :
Spontaneous resolution of an isolated ventricular septal defect in a dog Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 223:219-20, 197, 2003. Pubmed reference: 12875450 . |
1999 |
Gehlen,H.,Stadler,P.,Deegen,E.: :
Colour doppler technique and heart catheterization for haemodynamic evaluation of a ventricular septal defect - Case report Pferdeheilkunde 15:313-+, 1999. |
1999 |
Gehlen,H.,Stadler,P.,Deegen,E.: :
Colour doppler technique and heart catheterization for haemodynamic evaluation of a ventricular septal defect - Case report Pferdeheilkunde 15:233-+, 1999. |
1998 |
Vollmar,A.,Huttig,A.: :
Ventricular septal defect associated with aortic regurgitation in six dogs [German] Kleintierpraxis 43:911-+, 1998. |
1995 |
Hunt,G.B.,Pearson,M.R.B.,Bellenger,C.R.,Malik,R.: :
Ventricular septal defect repair in a small dog using cross-circulation Australian Veterinary Journal 72:379-382, 1995. Pubmed reference: 8599570 . |
1995 |
Skarda,R.T.,Bednarski,R.M.,Muir,W.W.,Hubbell,J.A.E.,Mason,D.E.: :
Sedation and anesthesia in dogs and cats with cardiovascular disease Schweizer Archiv Fur Tierheilkunde 137:312-321, 1995. Pubmed reference: 7569846 . |
1993 |
Hagen,A.,Keene,B.: :
Presentation of a Ventricular Septum Defect in a Dog by Color- Doppler-Echocardiography, by Angiography and by Selective Oxymetry Schweizer Archiv Fur Tierheilkunde 135:268-271, 1993. Pubmed reference: 8211054 . |
1985 |
Matsuoka,S.,Miyauchi,Y.,Nakatsu,T.,Yuasa,Y.,Ueda,H.,Miyao,M.: :
Effect of respiratory acidosis on ventricular shunt flow and hemodynamics in dogs with ventricular septal defect. Jpn Circ J 49:499-506, 1985. Pubmed reference: 3927033 . |
1977 |
Eyster,G.E.,Whipple,R.D.,Anderson,L.K.,Evans,A.T.,O'Handley,P.: :
Pulmonary artery banding for ventricular septal defect in dogs and cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc 170:434-8, 1977. Pubmed reference: 557030 . |
1974 |
Patterson,D.F.,Pyle,R.L.,Mierop,L.van,Melbin,J.,Olson,M.: :
Hereditary defects of the conotruncal septum in Keeshond dogs: pathologic and genetic studies American Journal of Cardiology 34:187-205, 1974. Pubmed reference: 4843154 . |
1973 |
Mulvihill,J.J.,Priester,W.A.: :
Congenital heart disease in dogs: epidemiologic similarities to man. Teratology 7:73-7, 1973. Pubmed reference: 4693746 . DOI: 10.1002/tera.1420070111 . |
1972 |
[Noauthorslisted]: :
Correction of a ventricular septal defect in a dog. J Am Vet Med Assoc 161:507-12, 1972. Pubmed reference: 5052217 . |