Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Signs, treatment, and outlook for fluid around a dog's heart
By Shaw, Scott P & Rush, John E·Published in Compendium (Yardley, PA)·2007·Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Canine pericardial effusion: diagnosis,treatment, and prognosis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A dog with pericardial effusion (fluid around the heart) may show signs like muffled heart sounds and swelling in the neck. Vets can diagnose this condition through a physical exam and imaging tests like X-rays and echocardiograms. For emergency treatment, a procedure called pericardiocentesis is performed to remove the excess fluid. In some cases, a surgery called pericardiectomy can help improve the dog's chances of recovery. The overall outlook for the dog depends on what caused the fluid buildup in the first place.
People also search for: dog heart problems symptoms · pericardial effusion treatment for dogs · dog surgery for heart fluid
Abstract
Most cases of pericardial effusion can be diagnosed with a thorough physical examination. Physical examination findings may include muffled heart sounds, pulsus paradoxus, and jugular venous distention. Radiographs may show a globoid cardiac silhouette. Echocardiography is reliable in diagnosing pericardial effusion. Pericardiocentesis is indicated for the emergency treatment of pericardial tamponade. Pericardiectomy may improve survival in some dogs. The prognosis varies greatly, depending on the underlying cause.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17727047/