Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Severe heart sac inflammation from rat poison in a dog
By Bagardi, Mara et al.·Published in Open veterinary journal·2022·Anicura - Clinica veterinaria Orobica, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Acute severe pericarditis secondary to rodenticide intoxication in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A mixed-breed dog was brought to the vet after showing signs of not eating and coughing for a day. X-rays showed an enlarged heart and fluid around it, while tests revealed issues with blood clotting likely due to rodenticide poisoning. The vet started treatment with vitamin K, which helped the dog's condition significantly. A follow-up ultrasound just 12 hours later showed that the fluid and thickening around the heart had completely resolved, indicating a successful recovery.
People also search for: dog coughing and not eating · rodenticide poisoning treatment for dogs · dog heart problems symptoms
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pericardial effusions are well described in dogs; however, their association with rodenticide intoxication in the canine population is not widely described. CASE DESCRIPTION: An adult mixed-breed dog was presented for 1-day history of anorexia and cough. Thoracic radiographs revealed moderate generalized cardiomegaly with globoid-shaped cardiac silhouette and mild bilateral pleural effusion. Echocardiography showed mild tamponating pericardial effusion and diffuse severe thickened pericardium. Compete blood count and blood chemistry at presentation were not specific. A coagulation profile was completed and showed severe prolongation of prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time. Intravenous therapy with vitamin K was started at 5 mg/kg BID and on follow-up echocardiography performed 12 hours later there was evidence of complete regression of the pericardial thickening and pericardial effusion. CONCLUSION: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report describing severe pericardial thickening, constrictive pericarditis, and cardiac tamponade secondary to spontaneous anticoagulant-induced hemopericardium in dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36589411/