Companion Animals

Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Dogs: 2025 Welfare and Surgical Update

Current surgical options for PDA correction and how welfare outcomes have improved.

Key Facts

PDA is the most common congenital heart defect in dogs
Left-to-right shunting causes volume overload and progressive heart failure
Surgical ligation or catheter-based closure is curative in most cases
Timing of intervention matters — early correction before cardiac remodelling improves welfare

Welfare Considerations

PDA causes progressive welfare compromise through cardiac volume overload, heart failure development, and exercise intolerance. Early surgical or catheter-based closure corrects the defect and prevents irreversible cardiac changes. Welfare outcomes for dogs corrected before clinical heart failure are excellent — normal life expectancy in most cases. Welfare-focused management identifies PDA early through murmur screening and acts promptly.

What You Can Do

Have puppies examined by a vet at 8 weeks — PDA murmurs are often detected at first check
Pursue specialist referral promptly for any puppy with PDA — early correction improves outcomes
Ask your vet about catheter-based occlusion as a less invasive alternative to open surgery