A 6 year old Wheaten Terrier mix with a history of collapse and lethargy was referred for evaluation of pericardial effusion. The echocardiogram identified pericardial effusion and a right auricular mass. No sign of metastasis was noted at this time in thoracic radiographs and abdominal ultrasounds. The patient underwent the right auriculectomy via right lateral thoracotomy. Several metastatic masses were located in the visceral aspect of the pericardium at the time of surgery and were all excised. The right auricular mass and pericardial masses were diagnosed as hemangiosarcoma with a sign of metastasis. The patient recovered from surgery uneventfully and was discharged the sixth day after surgery. The patient received doxorubicin followed by cyclophosphamide, piroxicam and Coriolus versicolor extract postoperatively. Pulmonary metastases were noted 229 days and the dog was euthanized 318 days after surgery. No clinical signs were noted until 309 days postoperatively.
Cardiac arrhythmias often are transient and might not be detected using conventional electrocardiographic (ECG) techniques. The adhesive patch monitor (APM) is a single-lead, lightweight, up to 14-day continuous ambulatory ECG monitor. This study aimed to prospectively assess its usability in four boxer dogs considered either to be healthy or to have arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. Optimal recording was obtained by placing the APM on the left side of the animal's thorax, at the fifth intercostal space, slightly dorsal to the costochondral junction, and oriented either vertically or parallel to the long axis of the heart. In three dogs, the APM remained attached for 14 days. One dog removed the APM after 59 hr. Skin irritation was documented in all dogs and resolved spontaneously after removal of the APM. The analyzable time was >93% of the total wear time and recordings provided an unambiguous rhythm diagnosis at rest. Walking, running, or playing caused intermittent motion artifact that could impair ECG interpretation. APM results were comparable to those obtained with 24-hr Holter monitoring. Extended continuous ECG monitoring with the APM is feasible in boxer dogs and provides interpretable recordings.
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