Page 3100 - Cote clinical veterinary advisor dogs and cats 4th

• Understand the benefit of a second opinion if there is any • Do not give medication that you have at home that has been
uncertainty about your pet’s heart murmur. Skilled examinations prescribed for human use; some of these may interfere with
can identify a patent ductus arteriosus murmur in most cases. treatment and cause even more severe problems.
Specialists trained in veterinary cardiology are called Diplomates WHEN TO CALL YOUR VETERINARIAN
VetBooks.ir of Cardiology) and can be located by referral in most large United • If weakness, loss of appetite, labored breathing, discharge from
of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Specialty
the surgical incision site, or any other symptom that arouses your
States and European cities. Ask your veterinarian to recommend
a specialist if you wish a second opinion. suspicion occurs after your pet undergoes surgical correction
• Give medication exactly as directed by your veterinarian, and if of patent ductus arteriosus.
you are concerned about possible negative effects, discuss them • If you cannot keep a scheduled appointment.
with your veterinarian immediately rather than simply discontinuing • If you are unable to give medication as directed.
the treatment.
• Make sure bandages, chest wraps, and stitched incisions (sutures) SIGNS TO WATCH FOR
stay clean and dry after surgery. If they become wet, are chewed • Watch for signs of advanced, severe patent ductus arteriosus,
at or damaged by the pet, or otherwise seem abnormal, contact which include shortness of breath, coughing, weakness, and
your veterinarian for a recheck to reduce the risk of infection or exercise intolerance.
other problems.
ROUTINE FOLLOW-UP
DON’Ts • After repair (surgery or catheterization) of the patent ductus
• Do not underestimate the seriousness of a heart murmur in arteriosus, an appointment may be scheduled to remove sutures
a puppy or kitten. A heart murmur is the main abnormality and monitor progress. Long-term follow-up appointments may
detected by veterinarians when examining dogs or cats with occasionally be needed if there is any possibility of long-standing
patent ductus arteriosus. Once overt symptoms such as shortness effects (permanent damage) to the heart.
of breath have occurred, some degree of damage to the heart
has occurred.
• Conversely, do not overreact to all heart murmurs in growing pups
and kittens. Your veterinarian will often be able to tell whether
a heart murmur might indicate patent ductus arteriosus (and
warrant tests such as x-rays or an ultrasound scan of the heart
for confirmation) or whether it may be an “innocent” murmur,
which is the term given to heart murmurs that are harmless and
which healthy kittens and puppies outgrow by the age of 16
weeks.
• Do not breed a dog or cat that has been diagnosed with patent
ductus arteriosus.
• Do not postpone visiting your veterinarian if you observe any
symptoms of patent ductus arteriosus. Prompt diagnosis and
treatment can save your dog’s or cat’s life. Practice Stamp or Name & Address

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From Cohn and Côté: Clinical Veterinary Advisor, 4th edition. Copyright © 2020 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.