Congestive Heart Failure - Rabbit - Revision history

Fiorecastro at 16:28, 5 January 2023

2023-01-05T16:28:58Z

Bara: /* References */

2013-10-15T15:01:12Z

References

Bara at 17:59, 26 July 2012

2012-07-26T17:59:19Z

Bara: /* Introduction */

2011-09-24T16:59:47Z

Introduction

Bara at 16:59, 24 September 2011

2011-09-24T16:59:19Z

HelenD: Created page with "==Introduction== Congestive heart failure can occur in the rabbit as a result of '''heart disease''', and is characterised by '''volume overload''' which can lead to signs of '''..."

2011-09-09T13:29:45Z

Created page with "==Introduction== Congestive heart failure can occur in the rabbit as a result of '''heart disease''', and is characterised by '''volume overload''' which can lead to signs of '''..."

New page

==Introduction==
Congestive heart failure can occur in the rabbit as a result of '''heart disease''', and is characterised by '''volume overload''' which can lead to signs of '''left-sided failure''' (pulmonary oedema and pleural effusion) and/or signs of '''right-sided failure''' (abdominal effusion, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly).

Heart diseases implicated include:
:'''cardiomyopathy'''
:'''valvular insufficiency'''
:infectious causes
:arrhythmia
:Congenital disease

==Clinical Signs==
The first signs of heart disease will be a '''decrease in activity''', '''weight loss''', changes in eating habits and breathing difficulties.

Signs of congestive heart failure may include
:'''dyspnoea''': open-mouth breathing, panting, wheezy chest sounds
:'''tachycardia'''
:'''ascites'''
:'''peripheral oedema'''
:'''cyanotic mucous membranes''' and arrhythmias

==Diagnosis==
If valvular insufficiency is present, a focal '''murmur''' may be heart on thoracic auscultation.

'''Radiography''' is the best way to diagnose CHF. It may reveal an enlarged heart, pulmonary oedema, pleural effusion.

If right-sided failure is present there may be pericardial effusion, ascites, peripheral oedema, hepatomegaly.

'''ECG''' may reveal arrhythmias or tachycardia.

'''Echocardiography''' is important to diagnose the cause of the congestive heart failure, and may reveal valvular insufficiency or cardiomyopathy.

'''Blood pressure measurement''' to diagnose any output failure.

==Treatment==
If the rabbit presents in '''acute failure''', treatment should include:

'''Oxygen''': in an oxygen tent or via a facemask, minimising stress.

'''Diuretics''': frusemide intramuscularly

'''Glyceryl trinitrate''' ointment to cause vasodilation

'''Thoracocentesis''' if pleural effusion is suspected: drain chest bilaterally placing a butterfly catheter ventrally through the chest wall. Multiple sites should be aspirated.

Prognosis is '''poor''' with acute congestive heart failure as rabbits usually present in the later stages of the condition and do not deal well with stressful situations.

'''Chronic''' treatment for CHF may include:

'''Diuretic''': frusemide orally

'''ACE-inhibitors''': enalapril or benazepril

Positive inotrope: '''digoxin'''

Regular '''monitoring''' of electrolytes and biochemistry is important during the course of treatment.

Monitoring the rabbit's '''weight and eating habits''' is essential to ensure gut function remains adequate.

With chronic congestive heart failure, medical management may allow '''survival for months''' before decompensation occurs.

{{Learning
|flashcards = [[Rabbit Medicine and Surgery Q&A 15]]
}}

==References==
Girling, S. (2009) '''Rabbit Medicine and Surgery for Veterinary Nurses''' ''Wiley-Blackwell''

Bourne, D. (2011) '''Congestive Heart Failure in Rabbits''' ''[http://www.wildlifeinformation.org Wildlife Information Twycross Zoo]''

[[Category:To Do - Helen]]
[[Category:To Do - Review]]

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-{{OpenPagesTop}}
 ==Introduction==
 Congestive heart failure can occur in the rabbit as a result of '''heart disease''', and is characterised by '''volume overload''' which can lead to signs of '''left-sided failure''' (pulmonary oedema and pleural effusion) and/or signs of '''right-sided failure''' (abdominal effusion, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly).
@@ Line 62: / Line 62: @@
 {{review}}
-{{OpenPages}}
+==Webinars==
 [[Category:Rabbit]]
 [[Category:Expert Review - Exotics]]
 [[Category:Cardiology Section]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:01, 15 October 2013
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	[[Category:Rabbit]]		[[Category:Rabbit]]
	[[Category:Expert Review - Exotics]]		[[Category:Expert Review - Exotics]]
		+	[[Category:Cardiology Section]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ==Introduction==
 Congestive heart failure can occur in the rabbit as a result of '''heart disease''', and is characterised by '''volume overload''' which can lead to signs of '''left-sided failure''' (pulmonary oedema and pleural effusion) and/or signs of '''right-sided failure''' (abdominal effusion, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly).
@@ Line 60: / Line 61: @@
 {{review}}
 [[Category:Rabbit]]
 [[Category:Expert Review - Exotics]]

@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 :'''valvular insufficiency'''
 :infectious causes
-:[[:Category:Arrhythmias|arrhythmia]]
+:[[:Category:Arrhythmia|arrhythmia]]
 :[[:Category:Cardiovascular System - Developmental Pathology|congenital disease]]

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 Heart diseases implicated include:
-:'''cardiomyopathy'''
+:[[:Category:Cardiomyopathy|'''cardiomyopathy''']]
 :'''valvular insufficiency'''
 :infectious causes
-:arrhythmia
+:[[:Category:Arrhythmias|arrhythmia]]
-:Congenital disease
+:[[:Category:Cardiovascular System - Developmental Pathology|congenital disease]]
 ==Clinical Signs==
@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
 ==Diagnosis==
-If valvular insufficiency is present, a focal '''murmur''' may be heart on thoracic auscultation.
+If valvular insufficiency is present, a focal '''murmur''' may be heard on thoracic auscultation.
-'''Radiography''' is the best way to diagnose CHF. It may reveal an enlarged heart, pulmonary oedema, pleural effusion.
+'''Radiography''' is the best way to diagnose CHF. It may reveal an enlarged heart, pulmonary oedema, pleural effusion. If right-sided failure is present there may be pericardial effusion, ascites, peripheral oedema, hepatomegaly.
 '''ECG''' may reveal arrhythmias or tachycardia.
@@ Line 30: / Line 28: @@
 '''Echocardiography''' is important to diagnose the cause of the congestive heart failure, and may reveal valvular insufficiency or cardiomyopathy.
-'''Blood pressure measurement''' to diagnose any output failure.
+[[Blood Pressure Measurement|'''Blood pressure measurement''']] is used to diagnose any output failure.
 ==Treatment==
 If the rabbit presents in '''acute failure''', treatment should include:
+:'''Oxygen''': in an oxygen tent or via a facemask, minimising stress.
-'''Oxygen''': in an oxygen tent or via a facemask, minimising stress.
+:'''Diuretics''': frusemide intramuscularly
+:'''Glyceryl trinitrate''' ointment to cause vasodilation
-'''Diuretics''': frusemide intramuscularly
+:'''Thoracocentesis''' if pleural effusion is suspected: drain chest bilaterally placing a butterfly catheter ventrally through the chest wall. Multiple sites should be aspirated.
 Prognosis is '''poor''' with acute congestive heart failure as rabbits usually present in the later stages of the condition and do not deal well with stressful situations.
@@ Line 47: / Line 41: @@
 '''Chronic''' treatment for CHF may include:
-'''Diuretic''': frusemide orally
+Regular '''monitoring''' of electrolytes and biochemistry is important during the course of treatment. Monitoring the rabbit's '''weight and eating habits''' is essential to ensure gut function remains adequate.
 With chronic congestive heart failure, medical management may allow '''survival for months''' before decompensation occurs.
@@ Line 70: / Line 58: @@
 Bourne, D. (2011) '''Congestive Heart Failure in Rabbits''' ''[http://www.wildlifeinformation.org Wildlife Information Twycross Zoo]''
-[[Category:To Do - Helen]]
-[[Category:To Do - Review]]
+{{review}}