Juvenile dilated cardiomyopathy in a Labrador Retriever. [German]Original Title Juvenile dilatative Kardiomyopathie bei einem Labrador Retriever.

摘要

A 13-week-old female black Labrador Retriever puppy is reported due to recumbency, lack of appetite and shortness of breath for two days. The puppy showed growth retardation and moderate nutritional status. The puppy was radiographically diagnosed with pulmonary congestion a day before and furosemide was administered in an unknown dose. The puppy showed polydipsia and polyuria since furosemide administration. Cardiac auscultation confirmed tachycardia, while the mitral and tricuspid valves showed systolic heart murmur with moderate and mixed dyspnoea. The lung auscultation revealed a higher bronchial breath sound. Lateral chest radiograph showed cardiomegaly due to an enlargement of the left ventricle and left atrium, and a perihilar alveolar shadowing in the diaphragmatic lobes of the lung. Haematological examination showed a relatively low haematocrit and leukocytosis with an increased number of segmented neutrophilic granulocytes. Biochemical profiles and carnitine levels were within normal values, but taurine level was significantly lower. Diagnostic findings confirmed dilated cardiomyopathy with secondary atrioventricular valves insufficiency and mild pulmonary hypertension. The puppy owner refused further diagnostics and the puppy was euthanized. Postmortem examination showed a marked dilatation of both atria, while both chambers of the heart apex were significantly round. The ductus arteriosus had a wide lumen and there was a low-grade haemohydrothorax. The liver and spleen were mildly congested, while lungs showed moderate congestion. Histopathological lesions showed a very discreet perivascular infiltration of myocardium with individual lymphocytes and plasma cells. It is suggested that juvenile dilated cardiomyopathy is associated with a taurine deficiency.