MyEmbrace Login 
Summary
Should the heart fail to form properly in an animal embryo, a break in the wall separating two of the chambers of the heart may remain open. In the case of atrial septal defects (ASDs), the resulting "hole in the heart" occurs between the right and left atriums, both of which are instrumental in pumping blood into the lungs and the rest of the body, respectively.
In atrial septal defects, the blood tends to get "shunted" from the right side to the left as a result of the relatively high pressures built up in the blood that returns from the rest of the body after the oxygen has been depleted from it. That means that blood often does not get properly pushed into the lungs, leading to inadequate oxygen in the blood and an excess of non-oxygenated blood backing up in the rest of the body.
Thankfully, most pets affected by this condition are not severely affected, which allows some to enjoy normal lifespans and many others to live almost-normal lives free of most symptoms. Others are not so fortunate and may suffer severe forms, but currently, these are considered in the minority for this rare condition that primarily affects dogs.
The current thinking is that dogs most severely challenged by ASD are those with other heart defects that likely developed in tandem with the defect itself.
Symptoms and Identification
Dogs with symptoms of ASD are often identified by the significant heart murmur their veterinarian detects on physical examination. Others may offer no such obvious signs and will display evidence of possible heart problems either through exercise intolerance (sluggishness or tiring easily during exercise) and/or cyanosis (noted by a blue tinge to the tongue or mucous membranes). Those most insignificantly affected by ASD will have their problems picked up incidentally on routine X-rays.
After these dogs have been flagged as possible sufferers of the problem, diagnosis is best achieved through simple chest X-rays (which almost always demonstrate an enlargement in the right side of the heart) and echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart) with doppler (demonstrating the flow of blood) to elucidate the abnormal change in the dimensions of the heart and the blood flow through it.
Affected Breeds
Any breed of cat or dog may be affected but, in dogs, it is most prevalent among Boxers, Doberman Pinschers, Old English Sheepdogs and Samoyeds .
Treatment
Treatment for ASD varies according to the size of the defects and the presence of other heart abnormalities. No treatment until symptoms are noted is the typical approach for this condition, though medical management through heart drugs may be necessary in moderately to severely affected dogs.
Severely affected dogs (usually those with multiple heart problems) have been treated surgically, but most of these patients have done very poorly, leading veterinarians to believe that even the most terribly affected are best left managed through drugs.
Veterinary Cost
Unfortunately, most animals with ASD require expensive echocardiograms (heart ultrasounds) on a fairly regular basis (which can cost up to $500-$600 in some hospitals). Luckily, however, the cost of cardiac drugs, if necessary, are usually not insurmountable.
Prevention
Preventing ASD is a hereditary concern. Therefore, preventing reproduction in any affected pet is considered critical. First degree relatives (littermates and parents) must be screened prior to breeding while screening dogs and cats from highly affected breeds prior to breeding is strongly recommended.
References
BONAGURA, J. D. and LEHMKUHL, L. B. (1999) Congenital heart disease. In Textbook of Canine and Feline Cardiology, 2nd edn. Eds P. R. Fox, D. Sisson and N. S. Moise. W. B. Saunders, Philadelphia. pp 471-535
BONAGURA, J. D. and MILLER, M. W.(1998) Doppler echocardiography II. Color Doppler imaging. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice28, 1361-1389
BONAGURA, J. D., MILLER, M. W. and DARKE, P. G. G.(1998) Doppler echocardiography I. Pulsed wave and continuous-wave examinations. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice28, 1325-1359
BONAGURA, J. D., O'GRADY, M. R. and HERRING, D. S.(1985) Echocardiography. Principles of interpretation. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice15, 1177-1194
BOON, J. A. (1998) Congenital heart disease. In: Manual of Veterinary Echocardiography. Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore. pp 383-485 phy. Journal of the South African Veterinary Association63, 43-48
KITTLESON, M. D. (1998) Septal defects. In: Small Animal Cardiovascular Medicine. Eds M. D. Kittleson and R. D. Kienle. Mosby, St Louis. pp 231-239
KORNREICH, B. G. and MOISE, N. S. (1997) Right atrioventricular valve malformation in dogs and cats: an electrocardiographic survey with emphasis on splintered QRS complexes. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine11, 226-230