Persistent Truncus Arteriosus in a Dog

Abstract

A 5-week-old male mixed terrier with persistent truncus arteriosus had a grade IV cardiac murmur. Cardiovascular anomalies noted at necropsy included ventricular septal defect in addition to complete persistent truncus arteriosus. The latter originated from the right ventricle and served as an aorta, also providing aortic branches that included a modified bronchial artery. This malformation closely resembled type IV persistent truncus arteriosus in humans, however, anatomically it should be classified as type I because of a patent small hypoplastic pulmonary artery.