Veterinary Research Forum
Vet Res Forum

Diagnostic imaging of ventricular septal defect in an Iranian Shall lamb

Document Type : Clinical Report

Authors

Javad Abbasi 1, 2
Mohammadreza Mokhber Dezfouli 3, 2
Alireza Vajhi 4, 2
Sirous Sadeghian Chaleshtori 3, 2
Peyman Dehghan Rahimabadi 5
Mohammad Reza Esmailinejad 6
Omid Zehtabvar 7
Mohammad Nouri 8, 2

1 Department of Animal and Poultry Health and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

2 Institute of Biomedical Research, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

4 Department of Surgery and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

5 Department of Clinical Sciences, Ka.C., Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran

6 Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran

7 Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

8 Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

https://doi.org/10.30466/vrf.2025.2046929.4564
Abstract
Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a common congenital anomaly in large animals, but it is rarely documented in small ruminants. This report described a case involving a three-month-old male lamb of the Iranian Shall breed that was presented to a Veterinary Hospital of University of Tehran with nasal discharge and growth retardation. Clinical examination revealed a heart rate of 120 beats per min, a respiratory rate of 50 breaths per min, pale mucous membranes and a low-grade pansystolic murmur that was auscultated bilaterally in the thoracic region. Echocardio-graphy revealed a 10.00 mm defect between the right and left ventricles, located in the supraventricular region behind the aortic valve, along with evidence of left-to-right shunting. Imaging studies including echocardiography and radiography indicated increased cardiac volume particularly in the right ventricle. These findings were corroborated by necropsy. This case study aimed to elucidate the imaging findings associated with Ventricular septal defect in an Iranian Shall lamb.

Keywords

CT-Scan
Echocardiography
Lamb
Radiography
Ventricular septal defect

Subjects

1.     Buczinski S, Fecteau G, DiFruscia R. Ventricular septal defects in cattle: a retrospective study of 25 cases. Can Vet J 2006; 47(3): 246-252
2.     Mitchell KJ, Schwarzwald CC. Echocardiography for the assessment of congenital heart defects in calves. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract 2016; 32(1): 37-54.
3.     Peretti JC, Costella L, Cortese CC, et al. Ventricular septal defect in sheep - case report. Braz J Dev 2022; 8(5): 39984-39991.
4.     Yadegari M, Babamohamadi K, Goodarzi M. A case report of ventricular septal defect in a calf. Bulg J Vet Med 2012; 15(4): 283-286.
5.     Constable PD, Hinchcliff KW, Done SH, et al. Veterinary medicine - a textbook of the diseases of cattle, horses, sheep, pigs and goats. 11th ed. Missouri, USA: Elsevier, Saunders Ltd. 2017; 704-706.
6.     Sanders SP. Diagnostic imaging of ventricular septal defect. Prog Pediatr Cardiol 2001; 14(2): 133-151.
7.     Maxie MG. Jubb, Kennedy and Palmar’s pathology of domestic animals. 6th ed. Missouri, USA: Elsevier, Saunders Ltd. 2015; 17-1
8.     Changwe GJ, Zhang H, Li H, et al. Anaemia in solitary acyanotic ventricular septal defect in comorbid with pneumonia or pulmonary hypertension: a retro-spective study of 75 paediatric cases [version 2; peer review: 2 approved with reservations]. F1000Research 2019; 8: 101. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.17907.2.
9.     Ulian CMV, Lourenço MLG, Inamassu LR, et al. Echocardiographic parameters and vertebral heart size (VHS) in lambs during the neonatal period. Pesq Vet Bras 2018; 38(9): 1869-1877.
Veterinary Research Forum
Volume 16, Issue 12
December 2025
Pages 713-717

  • Receive Date 06 January 2025
  • Revise Date 21 April 2025
  • Accept Date 14 May 2025

Home

Guide for Authors

Submit Manuscript

Reviewers

Contact Us