Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb
Abstract
A total of 1276 dogs of various breeds and both sexes were presented to the Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, Bhoiguda, College of Veterinary Science, Hyderabad with a history and signs of cardio-pulmonary disorders, from 2004 to 2008. Based on physical, electrocardiographic, radiographic and echocardiographic examinations, 12 dogs were diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). No abnormalities were detected from the Complete Blood Count and blood biochemistry, except elevated levels of Creatine Kinase MB and Lactate Dehydrogenase. All the HCM dogs revealed common manifestations such as: exercise intolerance, poor appetite, lethargy, cough, seizures (8 dogs) and syncope (6 dogs) for more than a couple of weeks. The HCM dogs were under treatment for more than a month with diuretics and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE)-inhibitors but without any improvement. After supplementation of diltiazem along with ramipril and fursemide, improvement in clinical manifestations were noticed over 3-5 days and complete clinical recovery after 30-60 days. Hence, from the present findings it may be concluded that echocardiography is the most sensitive mode of diagnosis and the role of diltiazem in successful treatment of HCM in dogs is clear.Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in 12 dogs (2004-2008): first report in Indi
