Atrial Septal Defects (ASD) in Labradoodles

We want to introduce you to a serious disease that can be a concern to pet parents – Atrial Septal Defect (ASD). When a Labradoodle suffers from Atrial Septal Defect, it means that its heart isn’t working efficiently due to tears or holes in the cardiac muscle wall.  Due to high blood pressure exerted by the blood returning to the heart from the body circulation, the blood tends to flow from the right atrium to the left atrium. This causes a decrease in the circulating oxygen in the body, and ASD prevents blood in the heart from being pushed into the lungs. Depending on the size and location of the hole, small defects may not result in any visible symptoms, while larger defects will cause an imbalance in blood pressure within the heart.

There is good news: most dogs diagnosed with ASD usually live normal lives. However, there are dogs that have a larger defect die from secondary heart issues.

The only way to find out if your Labradoodle has an Atrial Septal Defect is for a veterinarian to detect a significant heart murmur while performing a thorough physical examination. There are symptoms of the disease, such as poor exercise tolerance and/or mucus membranes or tongue with a bluish tinge, swelling of the abdomen, breathing difficulties, collapse or even death.

ASD is also prone to show up on routine x-rays. A chest x-ray will show a right-side heart enlargement. As well, an echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart) can reveal abnormal physical changes in the heart and blood flowing though from the heart to the lungs.

Depending on the size of the defect and the existence of other heart abnormalities, the treatment regimen for ASD will vary. A puppy may be diagnosed with the condition, but no treatment is recommended until clinical signs start to show. In moderate to severely affected dogs, heart medications are prescribed to promote normal functioning of the heart and respiratory congestion relief. A special heart-friendly diet is also often prescribed, along with the recommendation of restricting your Labradoodle level of physical activity.

Atrial Septal Defect is most often managed with drugs, but when a dog suffers from multiple heart problems, surgery may be needed.

ASD is a hereditary condition, so dogs should be screened before breeding as to prevent affected animals from passing on the defect to its offspring.

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