Echocardiographic evaluation of cardiac disorders in dogs

Abstract

Dogs presented with the signs suggestive of cardiac disorders were included in the present study. Based on the tests conduted, which included clinical examination, electrocardiography, radiography, echocardiography and haemato - biochemical assays, cardiac disorders were confirmed in twelve cases. According to the present study, 41.67 percent cases had mitral valve insufficiency. The mean age of diseased dogs was 6.2 years and 60 percent were male dogs. Breed wise, Spitz were more affected (40 percent) followed by Labradors, Dachshunds and Rottweilers. The main clinical signs included weakness, lethargy, cough, tachypnoea, cold extremities, cachexia and syncope. Upon echocardiographic evaluation, the common finding in all the patients of this group was the deformed or thickened mitral valve, left atrial and left ventricular dilatation and hyperdynamic systolic function. The mean values of the haematological parameters (Hb, VPRC and TEC) were within the normal range, where as the serum biochemical values revealed elevated levels of LDH and CPK – MB. Pericardial effusion was noted in 16.67 percent of the cases and the affected animals were seven year old Spitz and four year old Labrador. The main clinical signs were lethargy and syncope. Echocardiography revealed anechoic areas surrounding the ventricles in both dogs. Haematology was insignificant, but the enzyme values were above the normal range. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was seen in a six year old male Spitz with the presenting complaints of mild dyspnoea, lethargy and difficulty to climb stairs. M – mode echocardiogram revealed increased thickness of the left ventricular posterior wall (LVPW = 5.9 mm). Hematology was unrewarding in the diagnosis of the disease. The enzyme values were above the normal. Dilated cardiomyopathy was noted in 33.33 percent of the total dogs with cardiac disorders and all of them were males. The mean age of the affected animals was 4.5 years and the major breed in which DCM occurred in the present study was Boxer. Salient clinical signs included abdominal distension, ascites and oedema of various body parts, syncope and weight loss. Atrial tachycardia was an important ECG finding in the affected dogs. Two dimensional four – chamber view revealed left ventricular enlargement as well as marked dilation of all the chambers in a few cases. The mean values of EF and FS were 42 percent and 21 percent respectively. The hematological parameters were towards the lower limit and the enzyme values were elevated.