A membranous ventricular septal defect in a six month old mixed breed dog

Parker is a 6 month old female intact mixed breed dog who presented to Cornell University Hospital for Animals (CUHA) Cardiology Service on July 9, 2008 with a three month history of a grade 4/6 heart murmur. Parker was first seen at the rDVM on April 15, 2008 for vaccinations when the heart murmur was first detected. Parker was rechecked by the rDVM on May 8, 2008. At this time the murmur showed no improvement and Parker was referred to Cornell for cardiac evaluation. On presentation Parker was bright, alert, and responsive. Her vital parameters were within normal limits (HR=150bpm, RR=panting). Parker's femoral pulses were strong and synchronous and her capillary refill time (CRT) was less than 2 seconds. On cardiac auscultation, a grade 4/6 left systolic basilar murmur and a grade 5/6 right systolic basilar murmur with a palpable thrill were detected. The remainder of her physical examination was unremarkable. An EKG was performed, and was within normal limits. On echocardiography, Parker's left ventricle and atria were enlarged. Turbulent flow was detected in the right ventricle indicating a membranous ventricular septal defect (VSD). One of the aortic valves was also seen to drag into the VSD at diastole, causing mild aortic insufficiency. Parker's defect was small, with only minimal flow and minimal chamber enlargement. Due to the nature of Parker's condition, no treatment was recommended at this time. However, it is important that she is monitored closely with regular cardiac recheck examinations. Currently, Parker is enjoying life at home with her owner