Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Right-sided heart failure in dog caused by heart tumor
By Pérez, J et al.·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·1998·Departamento de Anatomí, Spain·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Right-sided heart failure in a dog with primary cardiac rhabdomyosarcoma.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 7-year-old female German shepherd mixed-breed dog was brought to the vet because she was weak, not eating, and had a swollen belly. The vet found signs of right-sided heart failure, which included fluid buildup in her chest and abdomen, difficulty breathing, and a fast heart rate. Tests showed a mass in the heart, leading to a diagnosis of a cardiac tumor called rhabdomyosarcoma. Unfortunately, the owner chose to euthanize the dog, and a post-mortem examination confirmed the tumor's presence.
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Abstract
A seven-year-old, female German shepherd mixed-breed dog was presented with weakness, inappetence, and a distended abdomen. Right-sided heart failure with pleural, pericardial, and abdominal effusions; dyspnea; and tachycardia were identified. The radiographic and electrocardiographic examinations did not allow a conclusive diagnosis. Echocardiographic findings included a mass in the wall of both the right atrium and right ventricle, partially occupying the right heart cavities. A diagnosis of cardiac tumor was made, and the owner elected euthanasia. The necropsy confirmed a tumor mass located in the right atrium and right ventricle. A definitive diagnosis of primary cardiac rhabdomyosarcoma was based on histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9590448/