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

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.