Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Right atrium enlargement in dog with muscle and heart inflammation
By Warman, S et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2008·Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Dilatation of the right atrium in a dog with polymyositis and myocarditis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 9-year-old female golden retriever was brought in for weakness and diagnosed with immune-mediated polymyositis, a condition where the immune system attacks the muscles. Despite treatment with a steroid medication called prednisolone, she did not improve and was ultimately euthanized. A post-mortem examination revealed that her heart's right atrium was enlarged, which is a condition that can occur alongside polymyositis. This case highlights a rare connection between muscle inflammation and heart problems in dogs.
People also search for: dog weakness treatment · golden retriever heart problems · polymyositis in dogs · dog euthanasia decision
Abstract
A nine-year-old, female, neutered golden retriever was referred for investigation of weakness. Immune-mediated polymyositis with mixed mononuclear cell inflammation and fibrosis was diagnosed in muscle biopsy specimens from several sites. A soft tissue opacity was noted radiographically cranial to the cardiac silhouette. The dog failed to respond to treatment with prednisolone and was euthanased. At post-mortem examination, the structure observed radiographically was showed to be an enlarged right atrium. Histopathological examination of samples collected at post-mortem confirmed polymyositis. Additionally, mononuclear cell infiltrations and fibrosis were observed in areas of endocardium and/or myocardium in the walls of all four cardiac chambers. Myocarditis has not been reported previously in canine polymyositis but is well recognised in people. Enlargement of the right atrium has also been reported in association with polymyositis and myocarditis in people.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18373536/