Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Breathing problems in two young Jack Russell dogs
By Ma, D et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary cardiology : the official journal of the European Society of Veterinary Cardiology·2025·Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Australia·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Congenital isolated left ventricular non-compaction in two juvenile dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Two young Jack Russell terrier mix dogs, one 5 months old and the other 10 months old, were brought to the vet for breathing problems. One dog was coughing and weak, while the other was in distress. Tests showed that both had severe enlargement of the left atrium of the heart, indicating a serious heart condition called congenital isolated left ventricular non-compaction. Unfortunately, both dogs worsened and had to be humanely euthanized.
People also search for: dog breathing problems · Jack Russell heart disease · puppy respiratory distress treatment
Abstract
Two juvenile (five- and 10-month-old), male, neutered, Jack Russel terrier cross dogs, each presented primarily for respiratory signs of varying severity, were included in the study. The first presented for coughing and weakness, and the other presented in respiratory distress. A cardiac murmur was absent in both. Imaging findings were strikingly similar for both dogs. Thoracic radiography revealed severe, disproportionate left atrial dilation with otherwise normal cardiac silhouette shape and size. Echocardiography revealed severe left ventricular mural thickening with hypertrabeculation and marked left atrial enlargement consistent with a diagnosis of congenital, isolated left ventricular non-compaction. Both dogs deteriorated clinically and were humanely euthanised without necropsy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39733763/