CLINICO-BIOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATIONS ON CARDIAC DISEASES IN DOGS
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Date
2011
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COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES-MANNUTHY,THRISSUR
Abstract
Twelve dogs presented with clinical signs suggestive of cardiac problems
and later confirmed of having primary cardiac disease were utilised for detailed
investigations. Signalment, clinical signs, electrocardiography, thoracic
radiography, echocardiography, blood pressure measurement, haematology and
serum biochemistry were studied.
According to the present study, 58.33 per cent cases had mitral valve
insufficiency. The disease was more common in older aged male dogs of small
breeds like Spitz, Dachshunds and non – descript. The main clinical signs
included exercise intolerance, cough, dyspnea, lethargy, anorexia, syncope and
ascites. Thoracic auscultation revealed exaggerated respiratory sounds,
pulmonary crackles and cardiac murmurs. Electrocardiographic and thoracic
radiographic findings were suggestive of left atrial enlargement which was
confirmed by echocardiography. All the cases responded well to the treatment
adopted and L- thyroxine was supplemented in all the cases. The gross and
histopathological examination of the mitral valve confirmed myxomatous
degeneration in one case.
Dilated cardiomyopathy was noted in 25 per cent of the cases. The disease
was more common in middle to older aged male dogs of large breeds like
Dobermans and Dalmatians. The main clinical signs included exercise
intolerance, anorexia, ascites, cough, dyspnea, lethargy and polydipsia. Thoracic
auscultation revealed exaggerated respiratory sounds, pulmonary crackles and
muffled heart sounds. Electrocardiographic and thoracic radiographic findings
were suggestive of chamber enlargement and echocardiography confirmed DCM.
All the cases responded well to the treatment adopted and L- thyroxine was
supplemented in all the cases.
Pericardial effusion was noted in 16.67 per cent of the cases and the affected
animals were a 13 year old Spitz and a five year old non- descript dog. The
clinical signs included anorexia, exercise intolerance, dyspnea, lethargy, syncope
and scrotal edema. Muffled heart and lung sounds could be auscultated in both
dogs. The electrocardiographic and thoracic radiographic findings suggestive of
pericardial effusion was confirmed by echocardiography. Two animals responded
well to the treatment.
Blood pressure measurement revealed no significant difference between the
normal and diseased groups. The haematological studies revealed stress
leukogram especially in DCM dogs. The important findings in the serum
biochemistry included increase in the lipid profile and a significant decrease in the
serum thyroxine (T4) level in dogs with MVI and DCM, mild increase in
creatinine level with mild hyponatremia and hyperkalemia in DCM dogs.
Elevation of CK-MB enzyme was noticed in all animals and those animals which
had CK-MB level above 350 IU/L gave a positive cardiac troponin I test.
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