A patient care report of a Doberman in heart failure

Signalment:

Species: Canine

Breed: Doberman

Age: 7 years

Sex: Male (neutered)

Weight: 43.3 kg

Henry was presented with acute onset respiratory distress. He had a 2 month history of exercise intolerance and breathlessness, but had developed a retching cough 4 days prior to presentation, and had experienced one syncopal episode.

On presentation, the patient had a frail, quiet but alert demeanour. He had audible crackles over his lung fields, a respiration rate (RR) of 40 breaths/minute with increased respiratory effort (RE), and a cough. He had a grade 2/6 left-sided, apical, systolic heart murmur and weak peripheral pulses. His heart rate was 140 beats/minute, with no pulse deficits. Temperature was 38.2°C.

An intravenous (IV) catheter was placed in a cephalic vein, and blood was taken for haematology and biochemistry from the catheter. A mild hyperkalaemia (4.78 mmol/l), and mild hyperglycaemia (6.78 mmol/l) were the only abnormalities found. On the basis of his history and physical examination, congestive heart failure (CHF) was suspected. The veterinary surgeon instructed IV furosemide (2 mg/kg) to be given, and the patient was settled into a kennel with supplemental oxygen provided by nasal prongs. A continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) recorded a sinus rhythm with an average heart rate of 150 beats/minute. He was allowed to adjust to his new surroundings before further diagnostic tests were performed.