• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.468-472
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• 2013

A 12-year-old intact female mixed dog (weighing 6.2 kg) was referred with primary complaints of severe abdominal distension, persistent coughing and exercise intolerance. Diagnostic studies found ascites, jugular distension, loud left and right apical systolic (grade 4/6) murmur, generalized cardiomegaly with caudal vena cava distension and left atrial dilation. Echocardiographic findings were consistent with degenerative mitral and tricuspid valve endocardiosis and bi-ventricular congestive heart failure. There was also a left to right shunting patent foramen ovale. The LV systolic function is depressed relative to the degree of volume overload. Based on diagnostic findings, this case was diagnosed as PFO complicated with mitral and tricuspid valve endocardiosis with ISACHC IIIa heart failure. The dog was treated with furosemide (2 mg/kg, q12hr, PO), sildenafil (1 mg/kg, q8hr, PO), pimobendan (0.3 mg/kg, q12hr, PO), enalapril (0.5 mg/kg, q12hr, PO) and spironolactone (1 mg/kg, q12hr). The clinical signs were gradually improved after medical therapy.