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Diabetes mellitus (DM) can result in cardiovascular dysfunction and heart failure characterized by diastolic dysfunction with or without the presence of systolic dysfunction in people and laboratory animals. The objective of this prospective study was to determine if cats with newly diagnosed DM had myocardial dysfunction and, if present, whether it would progress if appropriate antidiabetic therapy was commenced. Thirty-two diabetic cats were enrolled and received baseline echocardiographic examination; of these, 15 cats were re-examined after 6 months. Ten healthy age- and weight-matched cats served as controls. Diabetic cats at diagnosis showed decreased diastolic, but not systolic function, when compared to healthy controls, with lower mitral inflow E wave (E) and E/E' than controls. After 6 months, E and E/IVRT' decreased further in diabetic cats compared to the baseline evaluation. After excluding cats whose DM was in remission at 6 months, insulin-dependent diabetic cats had lower E, E/A and E' than controls. When classifying diastolic function according to E/A and E'/A', there was shift towards impaired relaxation patterns at 6 months. All insulin-dependent diabetic cats at 6 months had abnormal diastolic function. These results indicate that DM has similar effects on diastolic function in feline and human diabetics. The dysfunction seemed to progress rather than to normalize after 6 months, despite antidiabetic therapy. In cats with pre-existing heart disease, the development of DM could represent an important additional health risk.

A one-and-a-half-year-old, male neutered Pyrenean mountain dog was presented with bleeding after orchiectomy at a private veterinary practice. Drops of blood were emerging from the surgical site. Clinical evaluation evidenced slightly pale mucous membranes and a mildly elevated heart rate. Preoperative blood testing revealed a mild hyperlactataemia. Due to the haemorrhage, anaesthesia was induced for surgical ligation of the vessel. During dissection of the testicular vessels, repeated episodes of sudden sustained ventricular tachycardia (heart rate >190 beats per minute, lasting about one minute) and hypotension were observed. Despite repeated intravenous lidocaine boluses (8 mg/kg total) and a constant rate infusion (80 μg/kg/minute), the ventricular tachycardia did not cease. After an intravenous magnesium infusion, a sinus rhythm returned within 20 minutes of administration. In view of ventricular tachycardia resistant to conventional therapies, magnesium administration might be a safe adjuvant pharmacological option, as described in the case herein.