Londyn - Patent Ductus Arteriosus

[ladyjane]

YHR has a new foster pup named Londyn. She was with another rescue that reached out to us because their vet suspected PDA and they could not afford to provide the repair. This 11 week old pup weighs 1.24 pounds...crazy tiny! She is with a foster home that is experienced with these tiny ones so she is in excellent hands.

I have been holding my breath for days now because the last pup we suspected had PDA was little Cowboy who many of you will remember. He ended up with pulmonary stenosis and passed shortly after his diagnosis. It was heartbreaking. Londyn was seen by the cardiologist today for xrays and an echocardiogram and she does have PDA. The surgeon wants to wait for 3-4 weeks for surgery with the hope that perhaps Londyn will put on a bit more weight. They will have to do the more invasive repair because she is too tiny for the catheter that is used for a less invasive repair. Those are done at A&M but they said she will probably never be the correct weight for that. Nevertheless, this is a highly successful surgery in most cases.

I have never had a PDA pup and just wondered if anyone here has?? Any tips on after care? I know her foster family would appreciate any suggestions.

Here are some pics of this cutie pie....

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[MauiGirl]

OH she is precious, and sooo tiny. I have never heard of PDA but will be praying for her successful treatment.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by MauiGirl

OH she is precious, and sooo tiny. I have never heard of PDA but will be praying for her successful treatment.

Oh, it is actually a very common congenital defect. Thankfully, it can be repaired. It is a vessel that is present in the fetus but should close when they are born. It carries the blood around the lungs rather than through them for oxygenation. While they are in the mother and the lungs are forming this is bypassed. After they are born and this vessel does not close, the blood is not circulating properly and the heart has to work harder...if this is not corrected while they are puppies they will go into heart failure and die.

Thanks ... she needs prayers! So scary to me because she is so tiny; but the surgeon did one last week on a 2.5 pound pup. The tech told me she was up and running around right away!

[katy-yorkie]

She's adorable and so tiny...I know nothing about PDA or caring for a pup with PDA but she will be in my prayers. I remember Cowboy, he was tiny as well. Good luck with Londyn, I have fingers and paws crossed that she will be just fine.

[chachi]

Wow she is so very tiny. I hope she is able to put on the weight and have the surgery

[windsantz]

What a sweety. I know she is in good hands. Prayers for Little Miss Londyn.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by katy-yorkie

She's adorable and so tiny...I know nothing about PDA or caring for a pup with PDA but she will be in my prayers. I remember Cowboy, he was tiny as well. Good luck with Londyn, I have fingers and paws crossed that she will be just fine.

Stunted growth is actually one of the signs of PDA. This one is crazy tiny and she certainly does not look her age.

[rubymoon2072]

sending many hopes she puts on the weight needed to have her surgery. shes a pretty lil baby doll and I am sure so thankful to YHR for taking her in to get her the care she needs.

[YazminD]

Linda, I read about Londyn on FB and was just on YHR's site, looking for updates. I don't have any advise but thank you for explaining PDA. I'll be praying that Londyn gains weight and has a very successful surgery. She's a doll baby!

[yorkiemini]

I have had one tiny and one extra small Yorkie (not at the same time). Both were healthy fortunately, but they do require some special care. Kudos to the foster parents and praying for successful surgery!

And there are breeders out there who are trying to breed intentionally for these tints

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by yorkiemini

I have had one tiny and one extra small Yorkie (not at the same time). Both were healthy fortunately, but they do require some special care. Kudos to the foster parents and praying for successful surgery!

And there are breeders out there who are trying to breed intentionally for these tints

WHAT?!?!! They actually breed for heart defects?? Surely you mean that they breed for tinies...but not for defects. That would really be sick.

This breeder knew something was wrong and contacted that rescue. I have no idea who the breeder was. I certainly hope this was not intentional.

[megansmomma]

She's adorable and in good hands

[Wylie's Mom]

Little Londyn is just adorable!!! What a face. I don't have any experience w/ PDA but just wanted to send some puppy love and support.

Did she come from a breeder who was unwilling to fix the PDA ? That would be my guess, given how young she is. If so, how disappointing.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Little Londyn is just adorable!!! What a face. I don't have any experience w/ PDA but just wanted to send some puppy love and support.

Did she come from a breeder who was unwilling to fix the PDA ? That would be my guess, given how young she is. If so, how disappointing.

Yes, the rescue who contacted us got her from a breeder. It really IS very disappointing.

Someone mentioned there is no money in breeding in another thread recently...yes, there is, if they do things like this!

[Rhetts_mama]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Oh, it is actually a very common congenital defect. Thankfully, it can be repaired. It is a vessel that is present in the fetus but should close when they are born. It carries the blood around the lungs rather than through them for oxygenation. While they are in the mother and the lungs are forming this is bypassed. After they are born and this vessel does not close, the blood is not circulating properly and the heart has to work harder...if this is not corrected while they are puppies they will go into heart failure and die.

Thanks ... she needs prayers! So scary to me because she is so tiny; but the surgeon did one last week on a 2.5 pound pup. The tech told me she was up and running around right away!

Excellent explanation of a PDA

I'm surprised that they cath the pups to close the PDA. We've had a trial run of the docs using this technique in our babies, but they are reserving it for the ones who are too unstable (for reasons other than the PDA) for surgery. The surgical option you are talking about, is that a laparoscopic placement of a clip? Do they ever use Indocin or Ibuprofen to try and close them the way they will try with preemies?

I know it's easy to be angry at the breeder. But another way of looking at it might be that she did what she could to save the pup's life. She could have taken the easy route and just had her PTS.

BTW, Londyn can come stay with me any time.