Abstract
We report a case of ventricular septal defect causing congestive heart failure in a two-year-old, male common degu (Octodon degus). The patient presented for anorexia and dental disease, and a grade 4/6 holosystolic cardiac murmur was detected on physical exam. Thoracic radiographs showed cardiomegaly and a diffuse interstitial pulmonary pattern, consistent with congestive heart failure. Echocardiography was supportive of a perimembranous ventricular septal defect exhibiting low-velocity left-to-right shunting, and biatrial enlargement. These diagnoses were confirmed on post-mortem exam, along with pulmonary edema and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, degeneration, and regeneration. This is the first published account of a ventricular septal defect and congestive heart failure in a degu.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 32-35 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine |
Volume | 31 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 1 2019 |
Keywords
- Congenital heart disease
- Congestive heart failure
- Degu
- Echocardiography
- Octodon degus
- Ventricular septal defect
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- veterinary(all)