A silverback lowland gorilla named Barney returned to his habitat Tuesday after undergoing a series of exams at Zoo Miami. The 385-pound ape received specialized procedures including a bronchoscopy and ultrasound, according to a press release. Standard exams such as blood collection, x-rays and a general physical were also conducted. Read more on this article at nbcmiami.com
Looking to schedule an appointment with Sawgrass Veterinary Cardiology! Here’s some helpful step by step information on how our appointments work. How to Schedule Your Pet’s Appointment Your pet has been referred for a cardiac evaluation with Sawgrass Veterinary Cardiology. Please call 954-487-8357 to schedule your appointment at one of our three convenient locations. Currently we keep office hours in Jupiter, Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood. What Will Happen at My Appointment? After reviewing a detailed history patients will undergo a complete cardiovascular physical examination. Any diagnostic testing performed by your primary care veterinarian will also be reviewed. Then an individualized …Read More
Presentation A 5 year old male neutered Yorkshire Terrier presented for evaluation of tracheal collapse. The patient was experiencing severe episodes of dyspnea and tachypnea at night accompanied with mild to moderate coughing and gagging as well as labored respirations. He had been previously treated with cough suppressants, corticosteroids, antihistamines, and antibiotics intermittently for several years prior to presentation with variable response. Thoracic Radiographs Marked tracheal collapse in the caudal cervical region. The intrathoracic structures are normal. Obesity Tracheal Fluoroscopy There is severe almost complete collapse of the caudal cervical trachea to the level of the thoracic inlet. There is …Read More
Presentation An 11 year old male neutered Yorkshire terrier presented for evaluation of coughing. The patient had a history of seizures that were controlled with Phenobarbital. He also had a several year history of a murmur. The coughing had been intermittent for several years as well but had progressively worsened in the 2-3 months prior to presentation. The coughing was described by the owners as hacking to honking with a terminal retch and did not appear to be associated with exercise or excitement. Echocardiogram Severe thickening of the mitral valve leaflets leading to severe regurgitation and moderate to severe left …Read More
Presentation An 8 year old male neutered Pomeranian presented to the emergency service for evaluation of severe coughing and gagging as well as labored respirations. Patient was previously diagnosed with tracheal collapse and had a tracheal stent placed ~ 5 years ago. Thoracic Radiographs Focal alveolar infiltrate within the left cranial lung most compatible with a focus of aspiration or bacterial pneumonia. Cervical tracheal collapse rostral to the tracheal stent. Fracture of cranial aspect of the tracheal stent. Tracheal malacia. Diagnosis Tracheal stent fracture and tracheal collapse exacerbated by pneumonia. Treatment The pneumonia was treated with appropriated antibiotics (Orbax and …Read More
Presentation A 2.5 year old male Pomeranian was presented for evaluation of exercise intolerance. The patient was previously diagnosed with severe valvular pulmonic stenosis ~ 2 years prior. Currently patient was experience episode of exercise intolerance and occasional episode of collapse (suspected syncope) Echocardiogram There is fusion of the pulmonic valve leaflets noted with little to no decrease in annular diameter. The aortic to pulmonic annular ration was 1.05 which is consistent with Type A pulmonic stenosis. The Doppler derived pressure gradient was ~ 120 mm Hg. Marked eccentric and concentric hypertrophy of the right ventricle was noted consistent with …Read More
Presentation A 3 year old male neutered Shih Tzu presented for evaluation of lethargy, increased respiratory rate and effort, coughing as well as increasing murmur intensity. Patient was previously diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension secondary to acute pulmonary disease 6 months prior based on echocardiography and thoracic radiographs. Acute therapy with antibiotics and bronchodilators was initiated at that time with minimal response. Enalapril was also initiated and continued. Echocardiogram Severe enlargement of the right atrium and right ventricle as well as severe thickening of the RVFW and IVS. Marked systolic flattening of the IVS. Severe leakages of the pulmonic and tricuspid …Read More
Presentation A 1.5 year old female West Highland White Terrier presented for evaluation of a murmur noted during routine examination. The owner did note exercise intolerance as well as shortness of breath during excitement. Physical examination indicated a grade V/VI left base continuous murmur. Thoracic Radiographs Moderate cardiomegaly (VHS 11.2) with marked left atrial and left ventricular dilation. A ductual aneurysm is present typical of a PDA and there is marked pulmonary over circulation (Fig 1.) Figure 1: Right lateral (A) and ventrodorsal (B) thoracic radiographs showing marked left sided cardiac enlargement as well as a large ductal aneurysm (White …Read More
What is a Heart Murmur? A heart murmur is an extra or unusual sound heard during a heartbeat. Murmurs range from very faint to very loud. They sometimes sound like a whooshing or swishing noise. Normal heartbeats make a “lub-DUPP” or “lub-DUB” sound. This is the sound of the heart valves closing as blood moves through the heart. Veterinarians can hear these sounds and heart murmurs using a stethoscope. There are two types of heart murmurs: innocent (harmless) and pathologic (abnormal). Animals that have innocent heart murmurs have normal hearts. They usually have no other signs or symptoms of heart …Read More
