Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with heart infection and rare Gerbode defect causing heart block
By Peddle, Gordon D et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary cardiology : the official journal of the European Society of Veterinary Cardiology·2008·Department of Clinical Studies, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Gerbode type defect and third degree atrioventricular block in association with bacterial endocarditis in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 12-year-old dog was brought in with serious heart issues, including a rare heart defect and a complete heart block, likely caused by a bacterial infection affecting the heart valves. The dog had symptoms like weakness and possibly fainting due to the heart's inability to function properly. The veterinarian diagnosed the condition and treated the infection, but the prognosis for recovery was uncertain due to the complexity of the heart issues. Unfortunately, the outcome for this dog was not detailed, but such cases often require ongoing management and monitoring.
People also search for: dog heart problems · bacterial endocarditis treatment in dogs · geriatric dog heart defect symptoms
Abstract
Gerbode type defects are rare left ventricular outflow tract-right atrial communications in people that may be congenital or acquired; they have been reported only once previously in dogs. Acquired forms in humans have been reported secondary to bacterial endocarditis, trauma, and valve replacement surgery, among other causes. We report a case of left ventricular outflow tract to right atrium and right ventricle communications (Gerbode type defect) in association with aortic and tricuspid valve bacterial endocarditis in a geriatric dog. The dog also developed third degree atrioventricular block and had underlying subaortic stenosis. The authors hypothesize that the Gerbode type defect in this case was acquired secondary to invasion and destruction of the membranous interventricular septum due to bacterial endocarditis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19010115/