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Patent ductus arteriosus in Murrah buffalos
R Ecco1, M V Snel-Oliveira, R M Barros
1Clinical and Surgery Department, Veterinary School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais-UFMG, PO Box 567, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. ecco@vet.ufmg.br
Veterinary Pathology
|July 1, 2008
Summary
This study reports two cases of patent ductus arteriosus in Murrah buffalo calves, a congenital heart defect not previously documented in this species. The findings suggest a potential hereditary basis for this cardiac anomaly in buffalo.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Cardiology
- Animal Pathology
- Comparative Medicine
Background:
- Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a congenital heart defect where the ductus arteriosus fails to close after birth.
- While PDA is recognized in various animal species, its occurrence in Murrah buffaloes has not been previously reported.
Observation:
- Two cases of PDA were identified in Murrah buffalo calves (a heifer and a bull calf).
- Clinical signs included exercise intolerance, dyspnea, and tachycardia.
- Necropsy revealed congestive heart failure, enlarged heart, patent ductus arteriosus with a pulmonary artery aneurysm, and cardiac hypertrophy.
Findings:
- Histopathology confirmed eccentric cardiac hypertrophy and diffuse subendocardial fibrosis in both ventricles.
- The patent ductus arteriosus measured 0.8 cm in length and 0.4 cm in caliber.
- Aneurysm of the proximal pulmonary artery was noted, measuring approximately 50 mm in length.
Implications:
- This is the first documented report of patent ductus arteriosus in Murrah buffaloes.
- The shared sire of the affected calves suggests a possible hereditary component to this cardiac anomaly in buffalo.
- Understanding congenital heart defects in buffalo is crucial for herd health management and genetic improvement programs.
