Unilateral atrial ectopic rhythm in a golden retriever

Background: Atrial ectopic rhythm is a type of supraventricular arrhythmia, originating in two distinct points in the atrialregion. In the electrocardiographic (ECG) tracing, it is represented by independent depolarizations of sinus P waves andectopic P waves. The occurrence of this disorder is rare, and the diagnosis criteria are the presence of the described waveswithin the basal rhythm. In humans, there have been reports related to severe heart failure with an unfavorable prognosis.The present report aimed to describe the clinical case of a dog with unilateral atrial ectopic rhythm without any underlying cardiac disorder.Case: A 8-year-old male golden retriever was brought to a veterinary clinic for a preoperative evaluation for lipoma removalin the right forelimb. On clinical examination, the owner stated that the patient was active, with no signs of easy fatigueor cough. The canine displayed normophagy, normodipsia, normoquezia, and normouria. On physical examination, hedemonstrated a lymphatic temperament with tachypnea. The temperature and capillary filling time were within the normalrange, with a normokinetic pulse. Cardiac auscultation revealed a mild grade I/VI murmur in mitral focus and an 80-bpmheart rate. Respiratory auscultation revealed the presence of harshy lung sounds. The cough reflex was positive; the Piparotetest, negative. The blood test showed no noticeable changes in blood count and serum biochemistry. Systemic systolicblood pressure was 120 mmHg. On radiographic examination, no evidence of heart or lung abnormalities were identified.After the clinical evaluation, an ECG examination was performed; a unilateral atrial ectopic rhythm was observed withdifferent frequencies between atrial and ventricular rhythm and with P (164°) and P waves (80°). On echocardiographic...

Unilateral atrial ectopic rhythm in a golden retriever

Background: Atrial ectopic rhythm is a type of supraventricular arrhythmia, originating in two distinct points in the atrialregion. In the electrocardiographic (ECG) tracing, it is represented by independent depolarizations of sinus P waves andectopic P waves. The occurrence of this disorder is rare, and the diagnosis criteria are the presence of the described waveswithin the basal rhythm. In humans, there have been reports related to severe heart failure with an unfavorable prognosis.The present report aimed to describe the clinical case of a dog with unilateral atrial ectopic rhythm without any underlying cardiac disorder.Case: A 8-year-old male golden retriever was brought to a veterinary clinic for a preoperative evaluation for lipoma removalin the right forelimb. On clinical examination, the owner stated that the patient was active, with no signs of easy fatigueor cough. The canine displayed normophagy, normodipsia, normoquezia, and normouria. On physical examination, hedemonstrated a lymphatic temperament with tachypnea. The temperature and capillary filling time were within the normalrange, with a normokinetic pulse. Cardiac auscultation revealed a mild grade I/VI murmur in mitral focus and an 80-bpmheart rate. Respiratory auscultation revealed the presence of harshy lung sounds. The cough reflex was positive; the Piparotetest, negative. The blood test showed no noticeable changes in blood count and serum biochemistry. Systemic systolicblood pressure was 120 mmHg. On radiographic examination, no evidence of heart or lung abnormalities were identified.After the clinical evaluation, an ECG examination was performed; a unilateral atrial ectopic rhythm was observed withdifferent frequencies between atrial and ventricular rhythm and with P (164°) and P waves (80°). On echocardiographic...(AU)

Electrocardiographic, echocardiographic and heart biomarker parameters in sheep experimentally poisoned by Palicourea marcgravii (Rubiaceae) / Parâmetros eletrocardiográficos, ecocardiográficos e de biomarcadores cardíacos em ovinos intoxicados experimentalmente por Palicourea marcgravii (Rubiaceae)

The present study aimed to identify and describe cardiac alterations in sheep experimentally poisoned with Palicourea marcgravii through analysis of serum cardiac biomarkers (serum troponin I and creatine kinase - CK-MB) and electro and echocardiographic assessments to contribute to a better understanding of the poisoning pathophysiology. P. marcgravii is the main plant within a group of 22 species that cause sudden death in Brazil; its toxic principle is sodium monofluoroacetate. Eight healthy crossbreed male sheep, aged between five and twelve months, weighing 14 to 27kg, were evaluated. The animals received 1g kg-1 of P. marcgravii plants orally. The sheep were evaluated before administering the plant (T0) through electro and echocardiography and blood collection to assess cardiac biomarkers (CK-MB and cTnI). Collections and analyses were repeated every four hours until the animal's death. During the study, there was the presence of extravasation of serum troponin I carried out in a qualitative test, with positive values at time T4, and the serum CK-MB biomarker had a peak at T4 and slightly decreased at T8. The electro and echocardiographic examinations showed that the cause of death in these animals was due to acute heart failure characterized by arrhythmias, tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation, drop in cardiac output, left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction by the progressive decrease in the LV ejection fraction (EF), decrease in LV fractional shortening (FS), and decrease in aortic flow velocity and aortic flow gradient. This study seems to be the first to evaluate cardiac alterations in sheep poisoned by P. marcgravii through cardiac biomarkers and electro and echocardiographic exams.

O presente estudo objetivou identificar e descrever as alterações cardíacas de ovinos intoxicados experimentalmente por Palicourea marcgravii através das análises de biomarcadores cardíacos séricos (troponina I sérica e a creatinoquinase - MB) e das avaliações eletro e ecocardiográficas contribuindo para o melhor entendimento da fisiopatologia da intoxicação. Palicourea marcgravii é a principal planta dentro de um grupo de 22 espécies que causam "morte súbita" no Brasil e seu princípio tóxico é o monofluoracetato de sódio. Foram utilizados oito ovinos saudáveis machos, sem raça definida, com idades entre cinco e doze meses e peso de 14 a 27kg. Os animais receberam 1g/kg de Palicourea marcgravii por via oral. Os ovinos foram avaliados momentos antes da administração da planta (T0) através de eletro e ecocardiograma e coleta de sangue para avaliação dos biomarcadores cardíacos (CK-MB e cTnI). As análises e coletas foram repetidas a cada quatro horas até o óbito do animal. Durante o estudo observou-se extravasamento de troponina I sérica realizada em teste qualitativo, com valores positivos já em T4, assim como o biomarcador CK-MB sérico teve seu pico de aumento em T4 e em T8 houve uma leve redução. Aos exames eletro e ecocardiográfico foi possível determinar que a causa do óbito nestes animais ocorreu devido à insuficiência cardíaca aguda caracterizada por arritmias, taquicardia/fibrilação ventricular, queda no débito cardíaco, disfunção sistólica do ventrículo esquerdo (VE) pela diminuição progressiva da fração de ejeção (EF) do VE, diminuição na fração de encurtamento (FS) do VE, diminuição da velocidade do fluxo aórtico e do gradiente do fluxo aórtico. Este é o primeiro estudo que avalia as alterações cardiológicas de ovinos intoxicados por P. marcgravii através de biomarcadores cardíacos e exames eletro e ecocardiográficos.

Prognostic value of coupling interval, prematurity index and heart rate variability in Boxer dogs / Valor prognóstico do intervalo de acoplamento, índice de prematuridade e variabilidade da frequência cardíaca em cães da raça Boxer

Boxer dogs with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) can experience sudden cardiac death regardless of presence/absence of clinical signs. The aims of this retrospective study were two-fold: 1) to investigate the coupling interval (CI) and prematurity index (PI) of ventricular arrhythmias (VA), and the heart rate variability (HRV) in Boxers, and 2) to evaluate their impact on overall survival time. The first 24-hour Holter 36 client-owned Boxer dogs meeting inclusion/exclusion criteria were evaluated for the number, morphology, site of origin, complexity, CI and PI, of ventricular premature complexes (VPCs), and time domain HRV. The effect on survival was assessed, considering the presence/absence of ventricular tachycardia (VT), and syncope. All-cause mortality was considered as the end-point, with median survival times being obtained by Kaplan-Meier analyses and compared by log-rank test. Polymorphic VPCs were more common in symptomatic dogs than asymptomatic. VPCs in dogs with VT were less premature, due to the influence of heart rate on PI despite comparable CI. The PI and mean heart rate (HRme) were significantly different between VT and non-VT dogs but did not discriminate adequately between groups as standalone tests. Median survival time was shorter in Boxer dogs with VT (463 vs 1645 days, HR: 4.31, P=0.03). The HRV parameters, SDNN and SDANN, were both associated with prognosis. The CI and PI were not demonstrated to be prognostic surrogates in Boxer dogs with VA. HRme≥112bpm is 100% sensitive but only 46% specific for detecting VT in Boxers on the 24-hour Holter. Presence of VT, SDNN≤245ms, or SDANN≤134ms at the time of the first 24-hour Holter was associated with a shorter survival.(AU)

Cães da raça Boxer com cardiomiopatia arritmogênica do ventrículo direito (CAVD) podem apresentar morte súbita independentemente da presença/ausência de sinais clínicos. Os objetivos desse estudo retrospectivo foram: 1) investigar o intervalo de acoplamento (IA) e o índice de prematuridade (IP) das arritmias ventriculares e a variabilidade da frequência cardíaca (VFC) em Boxers, e 2) avaliar o impacto de tais características sob o tempo de sobrevida global. O primeiro Holter de 24 horas de 36 Boxers selecionados para os critérios de inclusão/exclusão foram avaliados para o número, morfologia, local de origem, complexidade, IA e IP dos complexos ventriculares prematuros (CVPs) e da VFC no domínio do tempo. O efeito na sobrevida foi avaliado, considerado a presença/ausência de taquicardia ventricular (TV), e síncope. O desfecho final foi a mortalidade global, com o tempo de sobrevida mediano sendo obtido pela análise de Kaplan-Meier e comparado pelo teste de log-rank. CVPs polimórficos foram mais comuns em cães sintomáticos. Os CVPs em Boxers com TV foram menos prematuros, devido à influência da frequência cardíaca (FC) sobre o IP, apesar de IA comparáveis. O IP e a FC média diferiram entre os cães com TV e os sem, mas não discriminam adequadamente os grupos como variáveis isoladas. A sobrevida global foi menor nos cães com TV (463 dias vs 1645 dias, HR=4,31, P=0,03). Os parâmetros da VFC, SDNN e SDANN, foram associados ao prognóstico. O IA e o IP não possuem valor prognóstico em Boxers com arritmias ventriculares. A FC média ≥112bpm é 100% sensível, mas apenas 46% específica para detectar Boxers com TV no Holter de 24 horas. A presença de TV, SDNN≤245ms, ou SDANN≤134ms no momento do primeiro Holter de 24 horas estão associados a menor sobrevida global no Boxer.(AU)

Prognostic value of coupling interval, prematurity index and heart rate variability in Boxer dogs / Valor prognóstico do intervalo de acoplamento, índice de prematuridade e variabilidade da frequência cardíaca em cães da raça Boxer

Boxer dogs with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) can experience sudden cardiac death regardless of presence/absence of clinical signs. The aims of this retrospective study were two-fold: 1) to investigate the coupling interval (CI) and prematurity index (PI) of ventricular arrhythmias (VA), and the heart rate variability (HRV) in Boxers, and 2) to evaluate their impact on overall survival time. The first 24-hour Holter 36 client-owned Boxer dogs meeting inclusion/exclusion criteria were evaluated for the number, morphology, site of origin, complexity, CI and PI, of ventricular premature complexes (VPCs), and time domain HRV. The effect on survival was assessed, considering the presence/absence of ventricular tachycardia (VT), and syncope. All-cause mortality was considered as the end-point, with median survival times being obtained by Kaplan-Meier analyses and compared by log-rank test. Polymorphic VPCs were more common in symptomatic dogs than asymptomatic. VPCs in dogs with VT were less premature, due to the influence of heart rate on PI despite comparable CI. The PI and mean heart rate (HRme) were significantly different between VT and non-VT dogs but did not discriminate adequately between groups as standalone tests. Median survival time was shorter in Boxer dogs with VT (463 vs 1645 days, HR: 4.31, P=0.03). The HRV parameters, SDNN and SDANN, were both associated with prognosis. The CI and PI were not demonstrated to be prognostic surrogates in Boxer dogs with VA. HRme≥112bpm is 100% sensitive but only 46% specific for detecting VT in Boxers on the 24-hour Holter. Presence of VT, SDNN≤245ms, or SDANN≤134ms at the time of the first 24-hour Holter was associated with a shorter survival.(AU)

Cães da raça Boxer com cardiomiopatia arritmogênica do ventrículo direito (CAVD) podem apresentar morte súbita independentemente da presença/ausência de sinais clínicos. Os objetivos desse estudo retrospectivo foram: 1) investigar o intervalo de acoplamento (IA) e o índice de prematuridade (IP) das arritmias ventriculares e a variabilidade da frequência cardíaca (VFC) em Boxers, e 2) avaliar o impacto de tais características sob o tempo de sobrevida global. O primeiro Holter de 24 horas de 36 Boxers selecionados para os critérios de inclusão/exclusão foram avaliados para o número, morfologia, local de origem, complexidade, IA e IP dos complexos ventriculares prematuros (CVPs) e da VFC no domínio do tempo. O efeito na sobrevida foi avaliado, considerado a presença/ausência de taquicardia ventricular (TV), e síncope. O desfecho final foi a mortalidade global, com o tempo de sobrevida mediano sendo obtido pela análise de Kaplan-Meier e comparado pelo teste de log-rank. CVPs polimórficos foram mais comuns em cães sintomáticos. Os CVPs em Boxers com TV foram menos prematuros, devido à influência da frequência cardíaca (FC) sobre o IP, apesar de IA comparáveis. O IP e a FC média diferiram entre os cães com TV e os sem, mas não discriminam adequadamente os grupos como variáveis isoladas. A sobrevida global foi menor nos cães com TV (463 dias vs 1645 dias, HR=4,31, P=0,03). Os parâmetros da VFC, SDNN e SDANN, foram associados ao prognóstico. O IA e o IP não possuem valor prognóstico em Boxers com arritmias ventriculares. A FC média ≥112bpm é 100% sensível, mas apenas 46% específica para detectar Boxers com TV no Holter de 24 horas. A presença de TV, SDNN≤245ms, ou SDANN≤134ms no momento do primeiro Holter de 24 horas estão associados a menor sobrevida global no Boxer.(AU)

Prognostic value of coupling interval, prematurity index and heart rate variability in Boxer dogs

ABSTRACT: Boxer dogs with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) can experience sudden cardiac death regardless of presence/absence of clinical signs. The aims of this retrospective study were two-fold: 1) to investigate the coupling interval (CI) and prematurity index (PI) of ventricular arrhythmias (VA), and the heart rate variability (HRV) in Boxers, and 2) to evaluate their impact on overall survival time. The first 24-hour Holter 36 client-owned Boxer dogs meeting inclusion/exclusion criteria were evaluated for the number, morphology, site of origin, complexity, CI and PI, of ventricular premature complexes (VPCs), and time domain HRV. The effect on survival was assessed, considering the presence/absence of ventricular tachycardia (VT), and syncope. All-cause mortality was considered as the end-point, with median survival times being obtained by Kaplan-Meier analyses and compared by log-rank test. Polymorphic VPCs were more common in symptomatic dogs than asymptomatic. VPCs in dogs with VT were less premature, due to the influence of heart rate on PI despite comparable CI. The PI and mean heart rate (HRme) were significantly different between VT and non-VT dogs but did not discriminate adequately between groups as standalone tests. Median survival time was shorter in Boxer dogs with VT (463 vs 1645 days, HR: 4.31, P=0.03). The HRV parameters, SDNN and SDANN, were both associated with prognosis. The CI and PI were not demonstrated to be prognostic surrogates in Boxer dogs with VA. HRme112bpm is 100% sensitive but only 46% specific for detecting VT in Boxers on the 24-hour Holter. Presence of VT, SDNN245ms, or SDANN134ms at the time of the first 24-hour Holter was associated with a shorter survival.

RESUMO: Cães da raça Boxer com cardiomiopatia arritmogênica do ventrículo direito (CAVD) podem apresentar morte súbita independentemente da presença/ausência de sinais clínicos. Os objetivos desse estudo retrospectivo foram: 1) investigar o intervalo de acoplamento (IA) e o índice de prematuridade (IP) das arritmias ventriculares e a variabilidade da frequência cardíaca (VFC) em Boxers, e 2) avaliar o impacto de tais características sob o tempo de sobrevida global. O primeiro Holter de 24 horas de 36 Boxers selecionados para os critérios de inclusão/exclusão foram avaliados para o número, morfologia, local de origem, complexidade, IA e IP dos complexos ventriculares prematuros (CVPs) e da VFC no domínio do tempo. O efeito na sobrevida foi avaliado, considerado a presença/ausência de taquicardia ventricular (TV), e síncope. O desfecho final foi a mortalidade global, com o tempo de sobrevida mediano sendo obtido pela análise de Kaplan-Meier e comparado pelo teste de log-rank. CVPs polimórficos foram mais comuns em cães sintomáticos. Os CVPs em Boxers com TV foram menos prematuros, devido à influência da frequência cardíaca (FC) sobre o IP, apesar de IA comparáveis. O IP e a FC média diferiram entre os cães com TV e os sem, mas não discriminam adequadamente os grupos como variáveis isoladas. A sobrevida global foi menor nos cães com TV (463 dias vs 1645 dias, HR=4,31, P=0,03). Os parâmetros da VFC, SDNN e SDANN, foram associados ao prognóstico. O IA e o IP não possuem valor prognóstico em Boxers com arritmias ventriculares. A FC média 112bpm é 100% sensível, mas apenas 46% específica para detectar Boxers com TV no Holter de 24 horas. A presença de TV, SDNN245ms, ou SDANN134ms no momento do primeiro Holter de 24 horas estão associados a menor sobrevida global no Boxer.

Dysautonomia in a bitch with hypothyroidismˆien

Background: Thyroid hormones have important effects on the cardiovascular system, of which the main ones are the in-crease in the heart response to the autonomic sympathetic nervous system. Heart rate variability is a non-invasive method of assessing autonomic heart modulation, thus being an important form of evaluation in patients with thyroid dysfunctions. This study aimed to report electrocardiographic and heart rate variability data of a dog with hypothyroidism that presented a parasympathetic dysfunction.Case:A 7-year-old female Dalmatian dog was admitted for clinical evaluation in Fortaleza, Brazil. According to the owner, she had been apathetic for a year, had gained weight, always had a sad expression, and her hair was generally brittle and opaque. On physical examination, skin lesions were observed at the end of the spine, extending to the tail region, with the latter showing total alopecia. Low T4 levels confirmed the diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism. Then, a 24-h Holter monitoring was performed, which showed that the animal had sinus arrhythmia associated with moments of second-degree sinoatrial block and rare moments of sinus tachycardia. In addition, moments of premature multifocal ventricular extra-systoles and 1st-degree atrioventricular block were observed.Based on the Holter results, heart rate variability (HRV) was calculated. Regarding the HRV in the frequency domain, 32.16 was obtained in the low frequency (LF) band, 67.84 in the high frequency (HF) band, and the LF / HF ratio was 0.46, with a total power of 5205. As for the HRV in the time domain, RMSSD was 117, pNN50 was 62.64 and SDNN was 384. This showed an increase in the parasympathetic activity of the heart and, due to this increased activity, a...(AU)

Dysautonomia in a bitch with hypothyroidismˆien

Background: Thyroid hormones have important effects on the cardiovascular system, of which the main ones are the in-crease in the heart response to the autonomic sympathetic nervous system. Heart rate variability is a non-invasive method of assessing autonomic heart modulation, thus being an important form of evaluation in patients with thyroid dysfunctions. This study aimed to report electrocardiographic and heart rate variability data of a dog with hypothyroidism that presented a parasympathetic dysfunction.Case:A 7-year-old female Dalmatian dog was admitted for clinical evaluation in Fortaleza, Brazil. According to the owner, she had been apathetic for a year, had gained weight, always had a sad expression, and her hair was generally brittle and opaque. On physical examination, skin lesions were observed at the end of the spine, extending to the tail region, with the latter showing total alopecia. Low T4 levels confirmed the diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism. Then, a 24-h Holter monitoring was performed, which showed that the animal had sinus arrhythmia associated with moments of second-degree sinoatrial block and rare moments of sinus tachycardia. In addition, moments of premature multifocal ventricular extra-systoles and 1st-degree atrioventricular block were observed.Based on the Holter results, heart rate variability (HRV) was calculated. Regarding the HRV in the frequency domain, 32.16 was obtained in the low frequency (LF) band, 67.84 in the high frequency (HF) band, and the LF / HF ratio was 0.46, with a total power of 5205. As for the HRV in the time domain, RMSSD was 117, pNN50 was 62.64 and SDNN was 384. This showed an increase in the parasympathetic activity of the heart and, due to this increased activity, a...

Ingestão acidental de crack por cão - relato de caso / Dog acidental ingestion of crack - case report / Ingesta accidental de crack por perro - informe de caso

O crack é uma potente droga ilícita que traz grave sintomatologia. A ingestão não é a forma habitual de utilização da droga, e sim pelo fumo. Quando o sistema nervoso é estimulado por essa substância ocorre vasoconstrição, aumento da pressão arterial, taquicardia e pode haver arritmias ventriculares, mas os efeitos no organismo são agravados quando ocorre a ingestão, devido a ação ionizante do suco gástrico no estômago. As consequências para o intestino podem ser de isquemia por conta da vasoconstrição e consequentemente necrose, por diminuição do fluxo sanguíneo. Esse artigo tem como objetivo relatar o caso de um cão da raça Bull Terrier com três anos de idade que ingeriu duas pedras da droga acidentalmente e foi submetido ao tratamento clínico de suporte, medicamentos adsorventes, protetores gástricos e hepáticos, associado a fármacos anticonvulsivos, promovendo o restabelecimento de sua saúde.(AU)

Crack is a powerful and illegal drug which causes a severe symptomatology. Its ingestion is not the common way of its use, which is through smoking. When the nervous system is stimulated by this substance, there are vasoconstriction, increase of arterial pressure, tachycardia and there might be ventricular arrhythmia, but the effects on the organism are worse when there is drug ingestion, because of the stomach gastric juices ionizing action. The consequences for the stomach may be ischemia caused by vasoconstriction and, later then, necrosis caused by low blood irrigation. This paper has the goal to relate the case of a three-year-old Bull Terrier, who accidently ingested two rocks of the drug and was submitted to clinical support treatment, adsorbent drugs, gastric and hepatic protective drugs, associated to antiseizures drugs, providing the dogs health improvement.(AU)

El crack es una droga ilegal de gran alcance que trae síntomas graves. La ingestión no es la forma habitual de usar el medicamento, pero a través del humo. Cuando el sistema nervioso es estimulado por la sustancia se produce vasoconstricción, aumento de la presión sanguínea, taquicardia y arritmias ventriculares, pero los efectos en el cuerpo se agravan cuando la ingesta se produce por la acción ionizante de los jugos gástricos en el estómago. El efecto sobre la isquemia intestinal puede ser debido a la vasoconstricción y de este modo necrosis, por disminución del flujo sanguíneo. Este artículo tiene como objetivo informar el caso de un perro de raza Bull Terrier con tres años de edad que ingirió dos piedras de la droga accidentalmente y fue sometido a un tratamiento doctor de apoyo, adsorbentes medicamentos, protectores gástricos y hepáticos, asociados con los fármacos anticonvulsivos, promoviendo la restauración de su salud.(AU)

Ingestão acidental de crack por cão - relato de caso / Dog acidental ingestion of crack - case report / Ingesta accidental de crack por perro - informe de caso

O crack é uma potente droga ilícita que traz grave sintomatologia. A ingestão não é a forma habitual de utilização da droga, e sim pelo fumo. Quando o sistema nervoso é estimulado por essa substância ocorre vasoconstrição, aumento da pressão arterial, taquicardia e pode haver arritmias ventriculares, mas os efeitos no organismo são agravados quando ocorre a ingestão, devido a ação ionizante do suco gástrico no estômago. As consequências para o intestino podem ser de isquemia por conta da vasoconstrição e consequentemente necrose, por diminuição do fluxo sanguíneo. Esse artigo tem como objetivo relatar o caso de um cão da raça Bull Terrier com três anos de idade que ingeriu duas pedras da droga acidentalmente e foi submetido ao tratamento clínico de suporte, medicamentos adsorventes, protetores gástricos e hepáticos, associado a fármacos anticonvulsivos, promovendo o restabelecimento de sua saúde.

Crack is a powerful and illegal drug which causes a severe symptomatology. Its ingestion is not the common way of its use, which is through smoking. When the nervous system is stimulated by this substance, there are vasoconstriction, increase of arterial pressure, tachycardia and there might be ventricular arrhythmia, but the effects on the organism are worse when there is drug ingestion, because of the stomach gastric juice’s ionizing action. The consequences for the stomach may be ischemia caused by vasoconstriction and, later then, necrosis caused by low blood irrigation. This paper has the goal to relate the case of a three-year-old Bull Terrier, who accidently ingested two rocks of the drug and was submitted to clinical support treatment, adsorbent drugs, gastric and hepatic protective drugs, associated to antiseizure’s drugs, providing the dog’s health improvement.

El crack es una droga ilegal de gran alcance que trae síntomas graves. La ingestión no es la forma habitual de usar el medicamento, pero a través del humo. Cuando el sistema nervioso es estimulado por la sustancia se produce vasoconstricción, aumento de la presión sanguínea, taquicardia y arritmias ventriculares, pero los efectos en el cuerpo se agravan cuando la ingesta se produce por la acción ionizante de los jugos gástricos en el estómago. El efecto sobre la isquemia intestinal puede ser debido a la vasoconstricción y de este modo necrosis, por disminución del flujo sanguíneo. Este artículo tiene como objetivo informar el caso de un perro de raza Bull Terrier con tres años de edad que ingirió dos piedras de la droga accidentalmente y fue sometido a un tratamiento doctor de apoyo, adsorbentes medicamentos, protectores gástricos y hepáticos, asociados con los fármacos anticonvulsivos, promoviendo la restauración de su salud.

Avaliação da variabilidade da frequencia cardíaca (VFC) em cão da raça Boxer com cardiomiopatia arritmogênica do ventrículo direito (CAVD) / Evaluation of heart rate variability (HRV) in a Boxer dog with arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy (ARVC)

Background: Boxer dog cardiomyopathy was initially described by Neil Harpster in 1983 and has received different names. However, several recent studies demonstrated a similarity to the human arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), which led to the name Boxer ARVC. This hereditary disease seems to be linked to a mutation in the gene that codifies the cardiac ryanodine receptor. This mutation leads to an alteration of the calcium cycle in the heart. The analysis of the heart rate variability is an important predictive factor for diagnosing this disease. Therefore, this study aims to report a case of a Boxer ARVC providing electrocardiographic data and heart rate variability.Case: A 11 year-old male Boxer dog, weighting 29.65 kg, was submitted to a heart check-up due to sudden occurrence of fatigue and syncope. At the clinical examination, heart auscultation did not revealed sounds or arrhythmias. The electrocardiogram results presented tachycardia and a regular rhythm with ventricular premature complexes (VPC´s). Ecodopplercargiogram was performed and values were within normal standards. Thus, a dynamic monitoring of 24 h was performed using a Holter monitor. This analysis demonstrated tachycardia in the sinus rhythm, type I second degree sinoatrial block, normal PR interval and normal length of QRS complexes. In addition, severe ventricular ectopy was identified in the following forms: isolated, paired, and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia. The heart rate variability analysis resulted in mean values of 213 ms (SNDD), 132 ms (SDANN), 211ms (rMSSD) and 33.46% (pNN50). Based on these data, Boxer ARVC is the probable diagnosis. However, a ventricular myocardial biopsy necessary to confirm the disease was not performed due to the inherent risk of the procedure. Treatment was performed with sotalol and a commercial feed specially designed for dogs with for cardiac diseases.[...](AU)

Avaliação da variabilidade da frequencia cardíaca (VFC) em cão da raça Boxer com cardiomiopatia arritmogênica do ventrículo direito (CAVD) / Evaluation of heart rate variability (HRV) in a Boxer dog with arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy (ARVC)

Background: Boxer dog cardiomyopathy was initially described by Neil Harpster in 1983 and has received different names. However, several recent studies demonstrated a similarity to the human arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), which led to the name Boxer ARVC. This hereditary disease seems to be linked to a mutation in the gene that codifies the cardiac ryanodine receptor. This mutation leads to an alteration of the calcium cycle in the heart. The analysis of the heart rate variability is an important predictive factor for diagnosing this disease. Therefore, this study aims to report a case of a Boxer ARVC providing electrocardiographic data and heart rate variability.Case: A 11 year-old male Boxer dog, weighting 29.65 kg, was submitted to a heart check-up due to sudden occurrence of fatigue and syncope. At the clinical examination, heart auscultation did not revealed sounds or arrhythmias. The electrocardiogram results presented tachycardia and a regular rhythm with ventricular premature complexes (VPC´s). Ecodopplercargiogram was performed and values were within normal standards. Thus, a dynamic monitoring of 24 h was performed using a Holter monitor. This analysis demonstrated tachycardia in the sinus rhythm, type I second degree sinoatrial block, normal PR interval and normal length of QRS complexes. In addition, severe ventricular ectopy was identified in the following forms: isolated, paired, and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia. The heart rate variability analysis resulted in mean values of 213 ms (SNDD), 132 ms (SDANN), 211ms (rMSSD) and 33.46% (pNN50). Based on these data, Boxer ARVC is the probable diagnosis. However, a ventricular myocardial biopsy necessary to confirm the disease was not performed due to the inherent risk of the procedure. Treatment was performed with sotalol and a commercial feed specially designed for dogs with for cardiac diseases.[...]

Estenose de valva mitral associada a um trombo na aurícula esquerda em cão / Mitral valve stenosis associated with a left auricle thrombus in a dog

Background: Mitral valve stenosis is a congenital or acquired condition characterized by the narrowing of the orifice of the mitral valve of the heart. It causes flow obstruction and inadequate left ventricular filling, leading to increased left atrial pressure, left atrial and auricle enlargement, pulmonary venous congestion, and left-sided congestive heart failure. Mitral valve stenosis is extremely rare in dogs, and mitral valve stenosis associated with thrombus is even less common in this species. The etiology of thrombus development in mitral valve stenosis in dogs is still not clear. In human beings, mitral valve stenosis associated with thrombus has been related to rheumatic fever. This paper aims to report a case of mitral valve stenosis associated with a left auricle thrombus in a dog.Case: A small mixed-breed, 9-year-old, spayed female dog was received by the emergency service of the veterinary hospital a few hours after a syncopal episode. The dog presented dyspnea, apathy, and appetite loss for a week. At physical examination, the dog had pale and cyanotic mucous membranes, 92 mmHg systolic blood pressure, 7% dehydration, and 36.9°C rectal temperature. Cardiac auscultation revealed tachyarrhythmia and diastolic murmur grade IV/VI on the left cardiac apex. During pulmonary auscultation, bilateral crackles were noted. Electrocardiography showed sinus tachycardia with supraventricular tachycardia episodes, increased P wave amplitude and duration, and increased QRS complex duration. Generalized cardiomegaly was noted in thoracic radiography with enlarged left atrium, left cardiac edge bulging, pulmonary hypertension and congestion signs, as well as areas of pulmonary opacification.[...]

Estenose de valva mitral associada a um trombo na aurícula esquerda em cão / Mitral valve stenosis associated with a left auricle thrombus in a dog

Background: Mitral valve stenosis is a congenital or acquired condition characterized by the narrowing of the orifice of the mitral valve of the heart. It causes flow obstruction and inadequate left ventricular filling, leading to increased left atrial pressure, left atrial and auricle enlargement, pulmonary venous congestion, and left-sided congestive heart failure. Mitral valve stenosis is extremely rare in dogs, and mitral valve stenosis associated with thrombus is even less common in this species. The etiology of thrombus development in mitral valve stenosis in dogs is still not clear. In human beings, mitral valve stenosis associated with thrombus has been related to rheumatic fever. This paper aims to report a case of mitral valve stenosis associated with a left auricle thrombus in a dog.Case: A small mixed-breed, 9-year-old, spayed female dog was received by the emergency service of the veterinary hospital a few hours after a syncopal episode. The dog presented dyspnea, apathy, and appetite loss for a week. At physical examination, the dog had pale and cyanotic mucous membranes, 92 mmHg systolic blood pressure, 7% dehydration, and 36.9°C rectal temperature. Cardiac auscultation revealed tachyarrhythmia and diastolic murmur grade IV/VI on the left cardiac apex. During pulmonary auscultation, bilateral crackles were noted. Electrocardiography showed sinus tachycardia with supraventricular tachycardia episodes, increased P wave amplitude and duration, and increased QRS complex duration. Generalized cardiomegaly was noted in thoracic radiography with enlarged left atrium, left cardiac edge bulging, pulmonary hypertension and congestion signs, as well as areas of pulmonary opacification.[...](AU)

Dogs poisoned with Nerium oleander fresh leaves: clinical and electrocardiographic findings / Cães intoxicados com folhas frescas de Nerium oleander: achados clínicos e eletrocardiográficos

Nerium oleander is distributed worldwide, mainly in tropical and subtropical regions. These shrubs are frequently used as ornamental plants. However, they contain more than 30 cardiac glycosides that can cause serious toxic effects in dogs. The objective of this study was to report the clinical and electrocardiographic alterations in dogs experimentally poisoned with N. oleander. Ten adult, healthy, mixed-breed dogs weighing 10-25kg and aged 3-6 years were selected for the study. We orally administered 0.25g kg-1 of fresh ground leaves of N. oleander to the dogs. No dog died after the ingestion, but all exhibited signs of poisoning such as vomiting, sialorrhea, nausea, apathy, conjunctiva congestion, dehydration, abdominal pain, tremors, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and tenesmus. Electrocardiogram revealed occurrence of several types of arrhythmias: sinus bradycardia, second-degree atrioventricular block, paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular premature complexes. Systolic blood pressure, as well as heart rate, decreased in the first 24 hours. The present study concluded that a single dose of 0.25g kg-1 of N. oleander green leaves is sufficient to cause a moderate intoxication in dogs, with nonspecific clinical changes mainly related to the digestive system and heart rate, thus demonstrating the importance of this type of intoxication in the list of differential diagnoses of small animals routine.

O Nerium oleander é uma planta com ampla distribuição mundial, principalmente em regiões tropicais e subtropicais. Esses arbustos são frequentemente usados como plantas ornamentais e possuem mais de 30 glicosídeos cardíacos causadores do quadro clínico de intoxicação em caninos. Sabendo-se disso, este artigo teve por objetivo a avaliar as alterações clínicas e eletrocardiográficas, nos animais intoxicados experimentalmente com N. oleander. Foram utilizados 10 cães adultos, hígidos, sem raça definida, com 10 a 25kg de peso, de 3 a 6 anos de idade. Os animais receberam uma única dose de 0,25g kg-1 de peso, de folhas frescas de N. oleander. Nenhum dos animais do experimento veio a óbito. Os sinais clínicos observados foram vômito, sialorréia, náuseas, apatia, conjuntiva ocular congesta, desidratação, dor abdominal, tremores, diarreia, inapetência e tenesmo. Pela análise do eletrocardiograma encontraram-se arritmias como: bradicardia sinusal, bloqueios atrioventriculares de segundo grau, taquicardia ventricular paroxística e complexo ventricular prematuro. A pressão arterial sistólica diminui nas primeiras 24 horas, assim como a frequência cardíaca. Concluiu-se com o presente estudo que uma única dose de 0,25g kg-1 de folhas verdes de N. oleander é suficiente para causar um quadro moderado de intoxicação em cães, com alterações clínicas inespecíficas principalmente relacionadas ao sistema digestório e no ritmo cardíaco, mostrando a importância deste tipo de intoxicação na lista de diagnósticos diferenciais da rotina de pequenos animais.

Dogs poisoned with Nerium oleander fresh leaves: clinical and electrocardiographic findings / Cães intoxicados com folhas frescas de Nerium oleander: achados clínicos e eletrocardiográficos

Nerium oleander is distributed worldwide, mainly in tropical and subtropical regions. These shrubs are frequently used as ornamental plants. However, they contain more than 30 cardiac glycosides that can cause serious toxic effects in dogs. The objective of this study was to report the clinical and electrocardiographic alterations in dogs experimentally poisoned with N. oleander. Ten adult, healthy, mixed-breed dogs weighing 10-25kg and aged 3-6 years were selected for the study. We orally administered 0.25g kg-1 of fresh ground leaves of N. oleander to the dogs. No dog died after the ingestion, but all exhibited signs of poisoning such as vomiting, sialorrhea, nausea, apathy, conjunctiva congestion, dehydration, abdominal pain, tremors, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and tenesmus. Electrocardiogram revealed occurrence of several types of arrhythmias: sinus bradycardia, second-degree atrioventricular block, paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular premature complexes. Systolic blood pressure, as well as heart rate, decreased in the first 24 hours. The present study concluded that a single dose of 0.25g kg-1 of N. oleander green leaves is sufficient to cause a moderate intoxication in dogs, with nonspecific clinical changes mainly related to the digestive system and heart rate, thus demonstrating the importance of this type of intoxication in the list of differential diagnoses of small animals routine.(AU)

O Nerium oleander é uma planta com ampla distribuição mundial, principalmente em regiões tropicais e subtropicais. Esses arbustos são frequentemente usados como plantas ornamentais e possuem mais de 30 glicosídeos cardíacos causadores do quadro clínico de intoxicação em caninos. Sabendo-se disso, este artigo teve por objetivo a avaliar as alterações clínicas e eletrocardiográficas, nos animais intoxicados experimentalmente com N. oleander. Foram utilizados 10 cães adultos, hígidos, sem raça definida, com 10 a 25kg de peso, de 3 a 6 anos de idade. Os animais receberam uma única dose de 0,25g kg-1 de peso, de folhas frescas de N. oleander. Nenhum dos animais do experimento veio a óbito. Os sinais clínicos observados foram vômito, sialorréia, náuseas, apatia, conjuntiva ocular congesta, desidratação, dor abdominal, tremores, diarreia, inapetência e tenesmo. Pela análise do eletrocardiograma encontraram-se arritmias como: bradicardia sinusal, bloqueios atrioventriculares de segundo grau, taquicardia ventricular paroxística e complexo ventricular prematuro. A pressão arterial sistólica diminui nas primeiras 24 horas, assim como a frequência cardíaca. Concluiu-se com o presente estudo que uma única dose de 0,25g kg-1 de folhas verdes de N. oleander é suficiente para causar um quadro moderado de intoxicação em cães, com alterações clínicas inespecíficas principalmente relacionadas ao sistema digestório e no ritmo cardíaco, mostrando a importância deste tipo de intoxicação na lista de diagnósticos diferenciais da rotina de pequenos animais.(AU)

Electrocardiographic Evaluation In Pregnant Mares And Neonate Foals Of Paint Horse Breed

For the interpretation and evaluation of electrocardiography, it is necessary to know the species electrocardiographic patterns, as well as the breed and age of the animal. The objective of this study was to describe the electrocardiographic characteristics in neonate foals of Paint Horse breed and in clinically normal pregnant mares. We evaluated 20 animals of each category. The maternal electrocardiographic examinations were performed at 15 and 7 days preterm; the neonatal echocardiographic examinations were performed at birth up to 48 hours postpartum, and thereafter once a week up to 35 days of age. For each electrocardiographic record, the heart rate (HR), cardiac electrical axis, rhythm alterations, wave lengths and amplitudes, and electrocardiographic intervals were analyzed. During the first 48 hours of life of the equine neonate, sinus tachycardia and ventricular arrhythmias were observed. In foals during the first month of age, a predominance of sinus rhythm was observed, with a decrease in HR and R-wave amplitude, and an increase in PR, QT, and RR intervals over the course of days. In pregnant mares, no significant changes were found in the electrocardiographic tracings when compared to that of healthy adult horses. The results of this study demonstrated the influence of age and growth on electrocardiographic parameters.

Electrocardiographic Evaluation In Pregnant Mares And Neonate Foals Of Paint Horse Breed

For the interpretation and evaluation of electrocardiography, it is necessary to know the species electrocardiographic patterns, as well as the breed and age of the animal. The objective of this study was to describe the electrocardiographic characteristics in neonate foals of Paint Horse breed and in clinically normal pregnant mares. We evaluated 20 animals of each category. The maternal electrocardiographic examinations were performed at 15 and 7 days preterm; the neonatal echocardiographic examinations were performed at birth up to 48 hours postpartum, and thereafter once a week up to 35 days of age. For each electrocardiographic record, the heart rate (HR), cardiac electrical axis, rhythm alterations, wave lengths and amplitudes, and electrocardiographic intervals were analyzed. During the first 48 hours of life of the equine neonate, sinus tachycardia and ventricular arrhythmias were observed. In foals during the first month of age, a predominance of sinus rhythm was observed, with a decrease in HR and R-wave amplitude, and an increase in PR, QT, and RR intervals over the course of days. In pregnant mares, no significant changes were found in the electrocardiographic tracings when compared to that of healthy adult horses. The results of this study demonstrated the influence of age and growth on electrocardiographic parameters.(AU)

Valor prognóstico da variabilidade da frequência cardíaca e da eletrocardiografia ambulatorial em cães Boxer com cardiomiopatia arritmogênica do ventrículo direito / Prognostic value of heart rate variability and Holter monitoring in Boxer dogs with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy

A cardiomiopatia arritmogênica do ventrículo direito (CAVD) é uma importante causa de morte súbita em cães da raça Boxer. A validação de fatores prognósticos para essa doença auxiliaria na detecção de animais mais gravemente afetados e sua exclusão dos programas de reprodução. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o valor prognóstico da presença de manifestações clínicas, dos índices de variabilidade de frequência cardíaca (VFC) e das arritmias supraventriculares ou ventriculares registradas à monitorização eletrocardiográfica com Holter na sobrevida de cães Boxer em diferentes estágios da CAVD. Essas variáveis foram analisadas, de forma prospectiva, em 69 cães Boxer, divididos em cinco grupos: cães Boxer controle (grupo CB, <50 VPC/24 horas, n=28), cães Boxer suspeitos (grupo SB, 50 a 300 VPC/24 horas, n=8), cães Boxer com CAVD (grupo ARVC, >300 VPC/24 horas, n=19), cães Boxer com CAVD e disfunção sistólica sem insuficiência cardíaca congestiva (grupo SDB sem ICC, n=6) e com ICC (grupo SDB com ICC, n=8). A análise estatística compreendeu teste ANOVA, correlação de Pearson e análise de riscos proporcionais de Cox. Comparando-se com o grupo CB, não foi encontrada diminuição nos índices de VFC nos grupos SB, ARVC ou SDB sem ICC; por outro lado, o grupo SDB com ICC apresentou diminuição desses índices. Não houve relação entre os índices de VFC e a morte de origem cardíaca; porém, a presença de síncopes com ou sem sinais clínicos de ICC e o número de episódios de taquicardia ventricular (TV) correlacionaram-se com a sobrevida dos animais. Estes resultados permitem concluir que a presença de sinais clínicos de ICC, a presença de síncopes e o número de TV ao Holter apresentam valor prognóstico de sobrevida em cães Boxer com CAVD.(AU)

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is an important cause of sudden death in Boxer dogs. Validation of prognostic factors for this disease could help in detecting more severely affected animals and their exclusion from breeding programs. The aims of this study were to evaluate the prognostic significance of presence of symptoms, heart rate variability (HRV) indices and ventricular or supraventricular arrhythmias recorded by Holter monitoring on survival of Boxer dogs with ARVC at different stages. Symptoms, arrhythmias registered on Holter and five HRV indices were prospectively analyzed in 69 client-owned Boxer dogs divided into five groups: control Boxer dogs (CB group, <50 VPC/24 hours, n=28), suspicious Boxers (SB group, 50 to 300 VPC/24 hours, n=8), Boxers with ARVC (ARVC group, >300 VPC/24 hours, n=19), Boxers with ARVC and systolic dysfunction without congestive heart failure (SDB without CHF group, n=6) and with CHF (SDB with CHF group, n=8). Statistical analyses consisted of an ANOVA test, Pearson correlation and Cox's proportional hazards regression. Compared to the CB group, no decrease in HRV indices was found in SB, ARVCB or SDB without CHF groups; otherwise, SDB with CHF group had impaired indices. No relation was found between HRV indices and cardiac-related death, but the presence of syncopes with or without clinical signs of heart failure and number of ventricular tachycardia (VT), were correlated with survival. These results allow us to conclude that the presence of symptoms of heart failure, presence of syncopes and number of VT on Holter examination seem to have prognostic value in Boxer ARVC.(AU)

Valor prognóstico da variabilidade da frequência cardíaca e da eletrocardiografia ambulatorial em cães Boxer com cardiomiopatia arritmogênica do ventrículo direito / Prognostic value of heart rate variability and Holter monitoring in Boxer dogs with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy

A cardiomiopatia arritmogênica do ventrículo direito (CAVD) é uma importante causa de morte súbita em cães da raça Boxer. A validação de fatores prognósticos para essa doença auxiliaria na detecção de animais mais gravemente afetados e sua exclusão dos programas de reprodução. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o valor prognóstico da presença de manifestações clínicas, dos índices de variabilidade de frequência cardíaca (VFC) e das arritmias supraventriculares ou ventriculares registradas à monitorização eletrocardiográfica com Holter na sobrevida de cães Boxer em diferentes estágios da CAVD. Essas variáveis foram analisadas, de forma prospectiva, em 69 cães Boxer, divididos em cinco grupos: cães Boxer controle (grupo CB, <50 VPC/24 horas, n=28), cães Boxer suspeitos (grupo SB, 50 a 300 VPC/24 horas, n=8), cães Boxer com CAVD (grupo ARVC, >300 VPC/24 horas, n=19), cães Boxer com CAVD e disfunção sistólica sem insuficiência cardíaca congestiva (grupo SDB sem ICC, n=6) e com ICC (grupo SDB com ICC, n=8). A análise estatística compreendeu teste ANOVA, correlação de Pearson e análise de riscos proporcionais de Cox. Comparando-se com o grupo CB, não foi encontrada diminuição nos índices de VFC nos grupos SB, ARVC ou SDB sem ICC; por outro lado, o grupo SDB com ICC apresentou diminuição desses índices. Não houve relação entre os índices de VFC e a morte de origem cardíaca; porém, a presença de síncopes com ou sem sinais clínicos de ICC e o número de episódios de taquicardia ventricular (TV) correlacionaram-se com a sobrevida dos animais. Estes resultados permitem concluir que a presença de sinais clínicos de ICC, a presença de síncopes e o número de TV ao Holter apresentam valor prognóstico de sobrevida em cães Boxer com CAVD.(AU)

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is an important cause of sudden death in Boxer dogs. Validation of prognostic factors for this disease could help in detecting more severely affected animals and their exclusion from breeding programs. The aims of this study were to evaluate the prognostic significance of presence of symptoms, heart rate variability (HRV) indices and ventricular or supraventricular arrhythmias recorded by Holter monitoring on survival of Boxer dogs with ARVC at different stages. Symptoms, arrhythmias registered on Holter and five HRV indices were prospectively analyzed in 69 client-owned Boxer dogs divided into five groups: control Boxer dogs (CB group, <50 VPC/24 hours, n=28), suspicious Boxers (SB group, 50 to 300 VPC/24 hours, n=8), Boxers with ARVC (ARVC group, >300 VPC/24 hours, n=19), Boxers with ARVC and systolic dysfunction without congestive heart failure (SDB without CHF group, n=6) and with CHF (SDB with CHF group, n=8). Statistical analyses consisted of an ANOVA test, Pearson correlation and Cox's proportional hazards regression. Compared to the CB group, no decrease in HRV indices was found in SB, ARVCB or SDB without CHF groups; otherwise, SDB with CHF group had impaired indices. No relation was found between HRV indices and cardiac-related death, but the presence of syncopes with or without clinical signs of heart failure and number of ventricular tachycardia (VT), were correlated with survival. These results allow us to conclude that the presence of symptoms of heart failure, presence of syncopes and number of VT on Holter examination seem to have prognostic value in Boxer ARVC.(AU)