CLINICAL-FEATURES OF DISEASES WITH PERICA RDIAL FLUID ACCUMULATION INDOGS

Based on literature data, the authors present a summarized description on the most common canine pericardial disorders, including their caus es and pathophysiological consequences, as well as classification of p ericardial effusion (Table). Inflammatory processes can be caused by v iral diseases (canine distemper), bacterial diseases (e. g. pasteurell osis, tuberculosis and leptospirosis) and toxoplasmosis, as well as ac tinomycosis and coccidioidomycosis. A special inflammatory disorder of the pericardium is the idiopathic haemorrhagic pericarditis which usu ally occurs in medium-aged male dogs of large and giant breeds. True t ransudate, modified transudate, exudate and blood are the typical form s of fluid accumulation in the pericardial cavity. Consequences of per icardial fluid accumulation are similar in all these types. Pericardia l tamponade caused by elevated intrapericardial pressure is the main f eature of the pathophysiological process. Accumulated pericardial flui d compresses the anterior and posterior vena cava, as well as the righ t atrium and ventricle inhibiting the diastolic filling of the right h eart and causing both right sided forward and backward failure. Clinic al experiences were based on the examinations performed on 21 dogs suf fering from pericardial diseases. Main clinical symptoms included tach ypnea, dyspnea, cyanotic mucosal membranes and dilated jugular veins i n short- haired dogs. Louder than normal and sometimes crackling sound s could be heard during thoracic auscultation. A horizontal dullness w as detected during percussion in approx. one-third of the cases due to secondary fluid accumulation in the thoracic cavity. No respiratory s ounds could be heard under the horizontal line of the dullness. Cardia c examination revealed typical findings: enlarged cardiac dullness on both sides of the thorax, no palpable cardiac (apex) beat, tachycardia and silent or even non-audible cardiac sounds. A fast, low and weak p ulse was felt on the femoral artery in each case. Clinical signs of as cites were also detected. ECG- and radiographic findings of pericardia l effusion are illustrated (Figs 1 and 2). M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiographic findings (Figs 3, 4 and 5) and ultrasonographic feat ures of secondary ascites and liver congestion are also demonstrated ( Fig. 6). Of the 21 dogs with pericardial effusion, the following disor ders were diagnosed: idiopathic haemorrhagic pericarditis in 9 cases ( 42.8%), heart base tumor in 2 cases (9.5%), hydropericardium caused by dilatative cardiomyopathy in 4 cases (19.1%), hydropericardium caused by ventricular septal defect in 2 cases (9.5%), haemopericardium of u ndetermined origin in 3 cases (14.3%) and haemocardium caused by aorti c rupture in one case (4.8%).