title: Ventricular septal defects in cattle: a retrospective study of 25 cases.
abstract: Clinical and complementary examination, pathological findings, and outcome were reviewed for 25 heifers diagnosed with ventricular septal defect (VSD). Age at presentation ranged from 36 h to 21 mo. The most common reasons for consultation were chronic respiratory problems (11 cases; 44%) or assessment of heart murmur (5 cases; 20%). A pansystolic murmur on the right thoracic side was audible in 20 cases (80%). Pneumonia that interfered with adequate cardiac auscultation was found in 15 calves (60%). Echocardiography was useful in establishing the final diagnosis of VSD (sensitivity of 94%). Prognosis was poor: only 10 calves were discharged and no heifer out of the 6 cases for which follow-up information was available had a productive life in the herd. Inadequate reproductive performance was owners' most common complaint (4 of 6 heifers).
authors.affiliation: Département des sciences cliniques, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte C.P. 5000, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec. buccin33@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Sébastien
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Buczinski
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fecteau
authors.forename: Rocky
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: DiFruscia
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006345:Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011379:Prognosis; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000662:veterinary; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate