Studies on some Cardiac Diseases in Dogs

Abstract

This study was applied on 92 client-owned dogs having cardiac diseases based on clinical, electrocardiographic, radiographic, echocardiographic and laboratory examination. Twenty two different breeds were presented which included mainly Griffon (n= 20) and GSDs (n= 16). Dogs were of different sexes (59 males and 33 females), ages and weights. While there are limited records documenting the existence of canine cardiac diseases in Egypt, the current study has provided preliminary data about the existence and distribution of acquired and congenital cardiac diseases in client-owned dogs. MMVD, DCM, secondary cardiomyopathy (DCM-like phenotype), HTn-CM, myocarditis, PE, pericardial tumors and heart-base tumor constituted the acquired affections in the presented dogs. Among the congenital affections, PDA, PS, TVD, MVD, ASD and VSD were detected. The presence of male predominance strongly suggests genetic predisposition. The MMVD was the most detected cardiac disease (48.6 %, 35/ 72), primarily in small breed of dogs. B1 stage was the most detected among MMVD dogs (82.85%, 29/35). MMVD dogs showed echocardiographic evidence of thickened mitral leaflets along with LAD with/without LVD. Furthermore, the radiographic evidence of CHF (pulmonary edema/ congestion) was vital to distinguish MMVD-C from other stages. ECG examination showed patterns of chamber enlargement in 14% of the MMVD cases, while intermittent 1st AVB and AF were incidental findings.