Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with sudden swollen belly and heart rhythm problem
By Möhr, A J & Kirberger, R M·Published in Journal of the South African Veterinary Association·2000·Department of Companion Animal Medicine·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
An 8-month-old female Labrador retriever was brought to the vet for sudden swelling in her belly and difficulty breathing. The vet found signs of heart problems, including an enlarged right side of the heart and fluid buildup in her abdomen. Despite treatment that initially helped manage her symptoms, her condition worsened into severe heart failure, leading to her being euthanized after four months. This case highlights a rare heart condition called arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which can affect young dogs and cause serious heart issues.
People also search for: dog sudden belly swelling · Labrador heart failure symptoms · arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy in dogs
Abstract
An 8-month-old Labrador retriever bitch was evaluated for sudden-onset, progressive abdominal distension. Physical examination revealed an exaggerated inspiratory effort, severe ascites, bilateral jugular vein distension, and hypokinetic femoral arterial pulses. Thoracic auscultation detected tachycardia with muffled heart sounds, without audible cardiac murmurs. Thoracic radiographs identified severe right ventricular enlargement and pleural effusion. The electrocardiogram was consistent with incomplete right bundle branch block or right ventricular enlargement. Echocardiography demonstrated severe right ventricular and atrial dilation, secondary tricuspid regurgitation, and thinning and hypocontractility of the right ventricular myocardium. Left heart chamber sizes were slightly decreased, with normal left ventricular contractility. A diagnosis of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy was reached, based on the characteristic clinical, electrocardiographic, radiographic and echocardiographic findings, and the exclusion of other causes of isolated right ventricular failure. Treatment effected good control of clinical signs, until acutely decompensated congestive right heart failure led to euthanasia after 4 months. Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy is a well-described clinical entity in humans, and has previously been documented in 3 male dogs. The condition is characterised by progressive fibro-adipose replacement of right ventricular myocardium, while the left ventricle usually remains unaffected. It should be considered a differential diagnosis in any young dog presented with isolated right heart failure, syncope, or unexplained ventricular tachyarrhythmias. This article reports the 1st case of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy in a female dog, and highlights its echocardiographic features.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11030367/