Medical device and healthcare company Abbott arranged to have their canine and kid patients treated for patent ductus arteriosus meet in Los Angeles
Credit: Abbott
NEED TO KNOW
• Children and puppies with a congenital heart defect known as PDA celebrated successful treatments at a special playdate in Los Angeles.
• Both groups received minimally invasive occluder devices to treat patent ductus arteriosus, avoiding open-heart surgery.
• Medical device company Abbott hopes the event inspires others facing similar diagnoses to trust in the life-changing treatment options.
A group of children and pups all had something to celebrate on a recent playdate in Los Angeles.
The adorable occasion took place in late February to mark the successful treatment of patent ductus arteriosus in all the participants, both kids and dogs.
Patent ductus arteriosus, or PDA, is a congenital heart defect, common in humans and canines, that occurs when a temporary fetal blood vessel fails to close after birth, leaving a hole in the heart that can allow too much blood to flow to the lungs.
Depending on the size of the hole and if it closes on its own, PDA can lead to serious health issues if left untreated, including kidney failure, damage to the intestines, bleeding in the brain, altered nutrition and growth, chronic lung disease, and death, according to Abbott, a medical devices and healthcare company.
The children and puppies at the playdate all required treatment for their PDA. The children and their families opted to use the Abbott Amplatzer Piccolo Occluder, the only occluder approved for treating PDA in premature infants. The occluder is a device smaller than a pea that is guided to the heart and placed inside it via a catheter inserted into a blood vessel in the groin.
Credit: Abbott
The dogs at the playdate all received the Amplatz Canine Ductal Occluder, which works similarly to the occluder device used in humans.
Once placed, the occluder seals the hole left by PDA. The treatment is a less invasive option than open-heart surgery and requires less recovery. After recently helping numerous children and pups get their occluders, Abbott arranged the February playdate so the kids and dogs could enjoy a gentle play session with others who understand life with PDA and the joys of now having a healthier heart.
"The only option was to get the Abbott Piccolo device placed or have open-heart surgery, and the fact that it was kind of a quick procedure and it was the only minimally invasive option, it was the best option for her," Teana Wiggins, who attended the playdate with her 2-year-old daughter Leila Wiggins, tells PEOPLE.
Leila received her Abbott device after she was born early with a PDA that required her to be intubated and on machines to help her breathe. Seeing her daughter running and playing with dogs today — the family also has their own pup, a chiweenie named Lexi — after not being able to breathe on her own at birth is a stunning gift for Teana, Leila, and their entire family.
Credit: Abbott
"I went through such a traumatic experience with my daughter's heart condition, and knowing these puppies have the same kind of thing, and have also benefited from the Abbott device, is so cool to see," Teana says of the Abbott-arranged playdate, adding, "To see how far Leila has come and these puppies have come fromgetting this procedure is really amazing."
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Leila's favorite part of the fun-filled day was laughing and playing catch with the puppies and kids "just like her."
Teana hopes that the joyous event reaches other families dealing with a PDA diagnosis, so they can see what life looks like after treatment.
Credit: Abbott
"Trust the process. It's been great on my end, so just trust the process. It really works, and it really helps," the mom shares.
The playdate was also a proud day for Abbott, which got to see the life-changing power of their devices in action.
"We celebrated both inspiring children and resilient puppies who share a similar journey with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), or a hole in their hearts," Brent Tippen, the director of public affairs at Abbott, said in a statement. "The energetic playdate honored the playful nature of living life to the fullest, and Abbott is honored to be a part of their treatment and in bringing together the unique intersection between puppy and child."
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