Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Third degree heart block and myasthenia gravis in four dogs
By Hackett, T B et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·1995·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Third degree atrioventricular block and acquired myasthenia gravis in four dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Four dogs were diagnosed with a serious heart condition called third degree atrioventricular block along with acquired myasthenia gravis, which can cause weakness and difficulty swallowing. All the dogs also had megaesophagus, a condition where the esophagus is enlarged and doesn't function properly. Two of the dogs had tumors in the chest that were surgically removed, but unfortunately, both died from severe lung infections shortly after surgery. One dog received a pacemaker and medication but also passed away from a lung infection. The fourth dog was treated with steroids and medication, showing some improvement but not returning to normal health.
People also search for: dog heart block treatment · myasthenia gravis in dogs · dog megaesophagus care · dog aspiration pneumonia symptoms · dog pacemaker success rate
Abstract
Third degree atrioventricular block was diagnosed in 4 dogs with acquired myasthenia gravis (serum acetylcholine receptor antibody titer > 0.6 nmol/L). All 4 dogs had megaesophagus. Two dogs also had mediastinal thymomas, which were resected. One dog with thymoma received a permanent pacemaker at the same time that it underwent thymectomy; the other did not develop third degree atrioventricular block until 3 months after thymectomy. Both dogs with thymoma died of severe aspiration pneumonitis within 3 months after surgery. The third dog received a permanent pacemaker and was treated with pyridostigmine bromide, but also died of aspiration pneumonitis 1 month after the pacemaker was implanted. The fourth dog was treated with prednisolone and pyridostigmine bromide and improved, but did not become clinically normal. Because third degree atrioventricular block as well as myasthenia gravis can cause signs of weakness, acquired myasthenia gravis should be considered in dogs with idiopathic cardiac conduction disturbances. Likewise, an ECG should be evaluated in dogs with acquired myasthenia gravis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7768738/