1Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai, India
2Central Clinical Laboratory, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai, India
3Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai, India
*Corresponding author: KS Saikrishna; E-mail: vetdoc33@gmail.com
Online Published on 18 July, 2023.
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is an acquired myocardial disorder of dogs characterized by dilation of chambers, hypokinesis and reduced contractility. Echocardiography is a standard diagnostic test for DCM however its technical expertise as well as the cost of equipment, limits its use under field conditions. This paper focuses on the clinical, hematobiochemical, radiographic and electrocardiographic changes in fifty-two dogs affected with dilated cardiomyopathy. Among the clinical signs recorded, exercise intolerance, lethargy, dyspnea, ascites, and cough were commonly seen followed by edema and syncope. Cardiomegaly is the characteristic finding seen on lateral thoracic radiograph measured as a significant increase in vertebral heart score, along with pulmonary edema and rarely pleural effusions as a sequel to congestive heart failure. Among the hematobiochemical findings, anemia and neutrophilic leukocytosis were noticed with non-significant increase of ALP, BUN, and creatinine. In the present study common arrythmias recorded were atrial fibrillation while the common morphological change noticed was ST coving indicative of myocardial hypoxia.
• Overt DCM is commonly expressed as exercise intolerance, lethargy, and dyspneainitially with gallop rhythm on cardiac auscultation.
• Increased VHS, pulmonary edema on thoracic radiography.
• Sinus tachycardia and atrial fibrillation on ECG are common.
Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy, Electrocardiography, Hematobiochemical Findings, Vertebral Heart Score
