Bonnie, a 10-year-old female Labrador presented with coughing and exercise intolerance.
Echocardiography and radiography revealed marked cardiomegaly (an enlarged heart) and a dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) phenotype was diagnosed. ECG analysis (including Holter recording) revealed isorhythmic AV dissociation, a form of electrical disturbance (arrhythmia) which was the likely cause for the DCM phenotype.
Following medications to improve the performance of her heart and the arrhythmia, Bonnie’s quality of life improved significantly, and her owners were thrilled as she started chasing balls again!