The ductus arteriosus is a major blood vessel located between the aorta and the pulmonary artery. The aorta is the main artery of the heart, and the pulmonary artery supplies blood to the lungs. When your dog was a fetus, the ductus arteriosus was open to allow passage of blood between the aorta and the pulmonary artery while bypassing the developing lungs. After birth, the blood vessel should close. With patent ductus arteriosus, the blood vessel does not close. This allows too much blood to be carried away from the lungs.

Difficulty breathing and lack of energy are the symptoms of patent ductus arteriosus.

It is not known what causes this condition.

A physical examination along with x-rays, an EKG and an ultrasound of your dog’s heart will be used to diagnosis this condition.

The ductus arteriosis can be surgically closed using a myriad of procedures.

There is no prevention for patent ductus arteriosus.

No, you cannot get this condition from your dog.