Radiographs show reverse ‘D’ appearance of heart on VD/DV views. Enlargement of right ventricle on lateral view. Enlargement of main pulmonary artery and tortuous appearance of pulmonary arteries.
Diagnosis: Heartworm disease
Differentials for the signs presented:
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is an acquired disease characterized by progressive loss of cardiac contractility, ultimately leading to both left and right-sided congestive heart failure. It was ruled out based on radiographic findings.
Congestive heart failure (CHF) results in pulmonary edema (left-sided heart failure) or ascites (right-sided heart failure). With DCM and CHF, tachycardia is usually present. The absence of pulmonary edema and/or ascites rule out dilated cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure.
Definitive diagnosis is heartworm disease based on thoracic radiographs and a positive heartworm test.
Treatment:
Diagnosis: Heartworm disease
Differentials for the signs presented:
- Dilated Cardiomyopathy
- Congestive Heart Failure (Right-sided)
- Heartworm snap test
- Echocardiography
- CBC, Chemistry and urinalysis.
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is an acquired disease characterized by progressive loss of cardiac contractility, ultimately leading to both left and right-sided congestive heart failure. It was ruled out based on radiographic findings.
Congestive heart failure (CHF) results in pulmonary edema (left-sided heart failure) or ascites (right-sided heart failure). With DCM and CHF, tachycardia is usually present. The absence of pulmonary edema and/or ascites rule out dilated cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure.
Definitive diagnosis is heartworm disease based on thoracic radiographs and a positive heartworm test.
Treatment:
- Prednisone 0.5mg/kg PO EOD for 10 days to combat any inflammation and as preventative for pulmonary thromboembolism.
- Immiticide treatment- alternative dosing: 1 injection of Melarsomine HCL 2.5mg/kg deep IM, repeat injection in 1 month with 2 injections 24 hours apart.
- A month after the third injection, give heartworm prevention.
- Heartworm test 4 months after second set of immiticide injections.
- Monitor for pulmonary thromboembolism, possibly administer anticoagulants.
- Strict cage rest while being treated.
- Monitor heart rate, respiration and attitude.
