Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with rare diaphragm twitching linked to heartbeat for 1.5 years
By Marques, Grégoire Bernardo et al.·Published in The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne·2023·Service de mé, France·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Idiopathic synchronous diaphragmatic flutter in a 2-year-old Jack Russell terrier dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 2-year-old neutered male Jack Russell terrier was brought to the vet because he had been experiencing persistent, involuntary contractions in his abdomen for the past 1.5 years. Tests, including heart monitoring and X-rays, showed that these contractions were happening in sync with his heartbeat, a condition known as synchronous diaphragmatic flutter. Despite thorough examinations, no underlying cause was found. This condition is rare but can look like serious heart or breathing issues. The dog’s condition was monitored, and he continued to live with this unusual but manageable issue.
People also search for: Jack Russell terrier abdominal contractions · dog heart problems symptoms · synchronous diaphragmatic flutter treatment
Abstract
A 2-year-old neutered male Jack Russell terrier dog was presented for persistent, involuntary, bilateral contractions of the hypochondriac regions of the abdominal wall that had been present for 1.5 y. Electrocardiography and fluoroscopic evaluation revealed that the contractions were synchronous with the heartbeat, consistent with a synchronous diaphragmatic flutter. Thoracic radiographs, echocardiography, and serum electrolytes did not identify an underlying cause. This case report describes a rare presentation of idiopathic, long-lasting, synchronous diaphragmatic flutter in a dog. Key clinical message: Synchronous diaphragmatic flutter is a rare condition characterized by contractions of the diaphragm that are synchronous with the heartbeat; this condition can mimic a serious cardiac or respiratory condition.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37780469/