Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Weakness and fainting from atrial heart disease in a Labrador dog
By Bomassi, E et al.·Published in Schweizer Archiv fur Tierheilkunde·2017·Centre Hospitalier Vé, France·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Atrial cardiomyopathy in an adult Labrador retriever dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 7-year-old male Labrador retriever was brought to the vet after showing signs of weakness and fainting for 10 days. The vet found a slow heart rate and a heart murmur, and tests showed significant enlargement of the heart's chambers. Despite medical treatment, the dog's condition worsened, leading to the implantation of a pacemaker, which kept him stable for 18 months. Unfortunately, he later developed a serious stomach condition and was euthanized, with further examination revealing atrial cardiomyopathy (a heart muscle disease).
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Abstract
A 7-year-old castrated male Labrador retriever was examined for a 10-day history of weakness and syncope. Physical examination revealed bradycardia and a grade III/VI left apical systolic heart murmur. Electrocardiography demonstrated bradycardia, absence of P waves and an atrio-ventricular nodal escape rhythm. Echocardiography revealed marked biatrial enlargement. Thoracic radiographs showed no evidence of pulmonary edema. Routine plasma biochemistry and electrolytes, basal serum cortisol, total thyroxin concentration, and complete blood count were within normal limits. Serum cardiac troponin I concentration was moderately increased. Serological examinations for antibodies against vector-borne diseases were negative. A pacemaker was implanted one month after the initial presentation due to worsening of the dog's clinical condition despite medical treatment. The dog remained asymptomatic for 18 months but was then re-presented with a gastric dilatation volvulus and subsequently euthanized. Necropsy and histology of the heart yielded a diagnosis of atrial cardiomyopathy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29128861/