Clinical Features of English Bulldogs with Presumed Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy: 31 Cases (2001-2013).

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is an important cause of sudden death in people and boxer dogs that has recently been described in English bulldogs. The objective of this retrospective study was to describe the clinical characteristics of English bulldogs with presumed ARVC. The medical records were searched for English bulldogs examined between 2001 and 2013 with a clinical diagnosis of ARVC. The average age of the 31 dogs identified was 9.2 ± 1.6 yr (range 7-13 yr). Males were overrepresented by a factor of 2.9 to 1. At initial presentation, 5 dogs had subclinical arrhythmia, 10 dogs had clinical signs attributable to arrhythmia, and 16 dogs had congestive heart failure. Eighteen dogs (58%) had ventricular tachycardia and five (16%) also had supraventricular arrhythmias. Four dogs experienced sudden death, 2 dogs died from congestive heart failure, 11 dogs were euthanized for cardiac causes, and 2 dogs died or were euthanized for noncardiac causes. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a median survival time of 8.3 mo. This is the first study to describe the clinical characteristics of a population of English bulldogs with presumed ARVC. Further studies are needed to better characterize the clinical features of the disease in this breed.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) toxicosis in cats: 33 cases (2004-2010).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a population of cats with selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) toxicosis and characterize the population affected, list products ingested, the clinical signs observed, treatments performed, length of hospitalization, patient outcome, and overall prognosis. DESIGN: Retrospective study from 2004 to 2010. SETTING: Referral veterinary center. ANIMALS: Thirty-three witnessed cat SSRI ingestions. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The medical records of cats with a witnessed SSRI ingestion identified by review of an animal poison control center electronic database were evaluated. The most common SSRIs ingested were venlafaxine (Effexor; 12/33; 36%), fluoxetine (Prozac; 12/33; 36%), citalopram (Celexa; 6/33; 18%), and escitalopram (Lexapro; 3/33; 9%). Overall, 24% of cats (8/33) became symptomatic, while 76% (25/33) remained asymptomatic. Of the symptomatic cats, sedation was the most common clinical sign (6/8; 75%), followed by gastrointestinal signs (4/8; 50%), central nervous system stimulation (1/8; 13%), cardiovascular signs (1/8; 13%), and hyperthermia (1/8; 13%). Veterinary care was sought in 20 cats (20/33; 61%). Sixteen cats (16/20; 80%) were hospitalized, while 4 cats (4/20; 20%) were treated as outpatients. Treatment for hospitalized patients included administration of IV fluid therapy (14/16; 88%), activated charcoal (12/16; 75%), anti-arrhythmic agents (7/16; 44%), methocarbamol (6/16; 38%), cyproheptadine (6/16; 38%), anti-emetics (5/16; 31%), and sedation (5/16; 31%). Diagnostics included blood work (7/16; 44%), blood pressure measurement (3/16; 19%), and electrocardiogram monitoring (2/16; 13%). Mean hospitalization time for all cases of SSRI ingestion was 14.6 ± 7.8 hours (n = 16). All symptomatic cats in this study (8/8; 100%) had resolution of clinical signs and survived to discharge. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis for SSRI ingestion in this population of cats was excellent. Decontamination and supportive care for at least 12-24 hours can be considered in cats with SSRI ingestion, particularly venlafaxine to monitor resolution of clinical signs.