Animal Emergency Critical Care Congenital Defects

• Portosystemic shunts – a vessel that causes blood to bypass the liver. These can be diagnosed with bloodwork, identified with surgery, confirmed with an intra-operative x-ray study, and treated by using an Ameroid Constrictor Ring, which allows the shunt to close slowly to minimize complications.
• Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) – a vessel between the aorta (the main artery of the heart) and pulmonary artery (supplying the lungs) that can cause reduced growth, damage to the heart, and often death within a year due to heart failure. This can be surgically closed and potentially give a patient a normal life.