Case report: Long-term survival in puppies assessed with echocardiography, electrocardiography and cardiac troponin I after acute death in littermates due to parvoviral myocarditis

Brenda Dines, Heidi Kellihan, Carolyn Allen, Alan Loynachan, Philip Bochsler, Sandra Newbury

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Positive clinical outcomes of a group of surviving puppies from a litter affected by parvoviral myocarditis are detailed in this case report. Past reports focus on the negative outcomes of littermates of puppies who have died of parvoviral myocarditis. In this case, two puppies in a shelter setting, from a litter exposed to parvovirus, died suddenly with parvoviral myocarditis diagnosed at necropsy. The other seven puppies were screened for cardiac health with echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, and cardiac troponin I prior to adoption. All seven puppies had normal echocardiograms, electrocardiograms, and normal initial and recheck cardiac troponin I results. At recheck 2 years after the initial round of testing, two of the puppies were screened and continue to have normal cardiac diagnostics. All seven dogs are alive and thriving at 5 years old in homes with adopters who were given a complete medical history on the dogs prior to adoption. In summary, the outcomes for puppies in litters affected by parvoviral myocarditis are variable but they do not have to be grave. The use of cardiac diagnostics including echocardiogram, electrocardiogram and cardiac troponin I may serve as a prognostic basis for assessing the potential outcomes for the surviving puppies in affected litters.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1229756
JournalFrontiers in Veterinary Science
Volume10
DOIs
StatePublished - 2023

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We would like to thank the shelter staff of Franklin County Humane Society for their initial care and transport of the puppies and All Breed Rescue Angels, Inc for their commitment to these puppies despite the potential for a poor prognosis. We would also like to thank Maddie's Fund who supports our Veterinary Residency Program and continually supports infectious disease outreach work for the University of Wisconsin Shelter Medicine Program.

Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2023 Dines, Kellihan, Allen, Loynachan, Bochsler and Newbury.

Keywords

  • CPV-2
  • myocarditis
  • parvo
  • parvovirus
  • prognosis
  • puppy
  • survival
  • troponin (cTnI)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Veterinary (all)

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