Bear, a two‑year‑old domestic cat from Warrington, had been suffering from sickness episodes and after visiting his local vets, a loud heart murmur was identified.
Concerned, his owner agreed for him to have some initial diagnostics performed by a cardiologist - including an ultrasound - this revealed changes in his heart consistent with a congenital condition called Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA).
Recognising the seriousness of the finding, Bear’s initial cardiologist referred him urgently to Chestergates Veterinary Specialists for advanced cardiology assessment.
A PDA is a rare birth defect in cats in which a small foetal blood vessel fails to close after birth. When it remains open, it causes excess blood flow to the heart and lungs, eventually leading to heart enlargement and in severe cases, heart failure. In most cats, the condition is discovered when a characteristic heart murmur is heard during a routine examination - even in pets that appear outwardly healthy.
On arrival at Chestergates, Bear underwent detailed diagnostic testing, including echocardiography, performed by the hospital’s specialist cardiology team. Although he was not yet in heart failure, his heart was already beginning to show the strain of the PDA - making prompt treatment crucial.
Traditionally, PDAs in cats are corrected through open‑chest surgery, a complex and invasive procedure. However, Bear was offered a cutting‑edge, minimally invasive alternative made possible by the skill and expertise of the Chestergates cardiology and anaesthesia teams. Using a small catheter placed through the jugular vein in his neck, clinicians were able to guide a tiny device - called an Amplatzer Vascular Plug II (AVP II) - directly into the PDA in his heart to seal it.
Because Bear weighed 4.9kg, he was an ideal candidate for this advanced approach, which can be performed in animals as small as 1.5kg. Remarkably, the entire procedure was conducted through a single catheter, avoiding the need for open surgery and allowing for an exceptionally quick and comfortable recovery.
The procedure was led by Liz Bode, EBVS® European Specialist in Small Animal Cardiology, RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Cardiology and Clinical Director at Chestergates, supported by the hospital’s highly skilled anaesthesia team. Placement of the device was successful, as confirmed by real‑time imaging.
Bear recovered smoothly overnight under close monitoring and nursing care. A repeat heart scan the following morning showed his heart had already begun returning to a more normal size - a strong indicator that his long‑term risk of heart failure is now extremely low. He was discharged home less than 24 hours after the procedure with nothing more than a 3mm surgical wound on his neck.
“This technique has only been reported in three cats worldwide,” said Liz Bode. “We are delighted that we were able to offer Bear a minimally invasive option and even more thrilled with how well he has recovered.”
Bear’s owner Jane Pearson said: “The expertise of the vets at Chester gates saved Bear’s life through the intricate surgery through his jugular vein which made such a difference to his recovery and risk of infection. They did all this whilst being so kind and caring and always keeping us up to date with Bear’s progress. Bear is now a happy and healthy 3-year-old cat with a normal life expectancy. Bear is such a character and makes us laugh every day. We are so lucky to have him.”
Chestergates Veterinary Specialists, based in Chester, has a 21-year history. With state-of-the-art facilities and employing some of Europe’s leading veterinary specialists, Chestergates offers a wide range of specialist-led services including orthopaedics, dermatology, cardiology, soft tissue surgery, anaesthesia and analgesia, ophthalmology, internal medicine, diagnostic imaging and neurology and neurosurgery. For more information visit: www.chestergates.org.uk.
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