Background: Atrial septal defect (ASD) is a rare congenital cardiac disease, and there have been no reports about the treatment of ASD in midget breed dogs.
Case description: A 7-month-old female toy poodle weighing 1.4 kg presented with cardiac enlargement. Echocardiography revealed a secundum-type ASD, right ventricular and atrial enlargement, and pulmonary hypertension. Blood flow through the ASD exhibited left-to-right shunting. The dog underwent ASD closure through a hybrid approach, in conjunction with catheter techniques and thoracotomy. Ten months after treatment, cardiac enlargement and pulmonary hypertension were improved.
Conclusion: Even in midget dog breeds, ASD can be corrected through a hybrid approach.
Keywords: Canine; Cardiology; Catheter; Congestive heart failure; Small breed.