Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Presumed convulsive syncopes during ventricular arrest due to pacemaker malfunction in a dog.
- Journal:
- The Journal of small animal practice
- Year:
- 2026
- Authors:
- Rodríguez, L V et al.
- Affiliation:
- Hospital Veterinario Puchol · Spain
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 9-year-old Cane Corso experienced unusual episodes of collapsing and losing consciousness about two and a half months after getting a pacemaker. During these episodes, the dog would also urinate and show signs of muscle spasms before waking up. The symptoms were linked to a problem with the pacemaker, which was causing the heart to stop beating for short periods. This situation is important to consider when diagnosing seizures in dogs that might have heart issues or have recently had a pacemaker placed. The treatment focused on addressing the pacemaker malfunction, which was necessary for the dog's recovery.
Abstract
Convulsive syncope is an unusual presentation of syncope in which it manifests with convulsive features, with or without epileptic activity on electroencephalography. This phenomenon has scarcely been reported in veterinary medicine. This report describes the clinical presentation, diagnostic findings and treatment of a 9-year-old Cane Corso, who was presented two and a half months after transvenous pacemaker implantation with episodes of collapse, unconsciousness, urination and opisthotonos, that after some seconds, turned into myoclonic jerks before regaining consciousness. Those episodes were highly suggestive of convulsive syncope and were associated with periods of ventricular arrest due to a pacemaker malfunction. This condition should be considered as a differential diagnosis for epileptic seizures in patients with potential cardiovascular disease and as a possible complication after pacemaker implantation in dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41145298/