Ventricular septal defect in an Abyssinian cat

Ventricular septal defect in an Abyssinian cat

A 2-month-old female Abyssinian cat was presented with a severe ascites, cyanosis, and exercise intolerance. Diagnostic studies revealed V/VI holosystolic murmur, sinus tachycardia, generalized cardiomegaly with marked left atrial enlargement and shunt flow between left and right ventricles. Doppler study showed bi-directional shunts in rest and right-to-left shunt after exercise. Based on clinical signs and diagnostic findings, the cat was diagnosed as a reversed ventricular septal defect. The cat was treated with furosemide, nitroglycerine, dobutamine and oxygen supplement. Despite initial improvement of clinical signs after initiation of medical treatment, the cat died of sudden cardiac arrest. Necropsy revealed a perimembranous ventricular septal defect.