Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with suspected heart metal fragment after shoulder injury
By Elliott, Joshua M & Mayhew, Philipp D·Published in Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)·2011·From the Department of Small Animal Surgery, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Diagnostic challenges and treatment options of a suspected pericardial metallic projectile foreign body in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 3-year-old neutered male Brittany spaniel was brought in after showing signs of decreased activity and not eating well for 10 days. X-rays revealed a metallic object near his heart, and further tests showed fluid around the heart and in his abdomen. To address the situation, the vet performed a surgery to relieve the pressure around the heart, but unfortunately, the foreign object could not be removed. Six months later, the dog was doing well and showed no symptoms.
People also search for: dog decreased activity · Brittany spaniel heart problems · dog surgery for foreign body · dog not eating well · pericardial effusion treatment
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of a suspected pericardial metallic projectile foreign body in a dog with a history of trauma to the left shoulder and to review the literature regarding the management of cardiac and intracardiac foreign bodies. CASE SUMMARY: A 3-year-old male, neutered Brittany spaniel presented with a 10-day history of decreased activity and partial anorexia. Serial thoracic radiographs identified a migrating pericardial metallic projectile foreign body and an echocardiogram diagnosed pericardial effusion and abdominal ultrasound identified the presence of ascites. Concern for a possible effusive-constrictive pericarditis prompted a subphrenic pericardectomy performed via thoracoscopy. The foreign body was not recovered. Six months postsurgery, the dog remained asymptomatic. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: Considering the high rate of complications that develop in human patients where the foreign bodies are not removed, veterinarians should be aware of risks associated with long standing pericardial foreign bodies even when no clinical signs are present. Guidelines from the human literature may be considered for investigation of, and treatment options for, cardiac and intracardiac metallic projectile foreign bodies in dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22316263/