Clinical Case 5

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Courtesy of C. Antonczyk

Signalment

"Mikey", a 4 year old, male Irish Wolfhound is presented for examination.

History

Mikey's owners have brought him in because they have noticed that his respiration rate is faster at home and he coughs occasionally. The owners have also noticed that Mikey is less willing to exercise and appears to tire more quickly on walks than he used to.

Clinical Examination

The vet performs a clinical exam and finds the following:

• Temperature 38.6°C

• The heart rate is 210 beats per minute and the heart rhythm is irregularly irregular. It sounds chaotic.

• It is difficult to assess Mikey's breathing since he is very nervous and continues to pant throughout the examination

Is the temperature normal?

• Yes.

Is the heart rate normal?

• No. It is much too high for a dog of this size.

What is the most likely explanation for the heart sounding chaotic?

• This is almost certainly due to atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is common in Wolfhounds and this may be an incidental finding on routine examination.

What would you do next?

• Click here to see what the vet did.