title: Implantable loop recorders: a viable diagnostic tool in veterinary medicine.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate whether implantable loop recorders could be used in the diagnosis of unexplained collapse in dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  The medical records of six dogs presented to the University of Liverpool Small Animal Teaching Hospital between May 2003 and October 2006 for further evaluation of intermittent syncopal episodes, collapse or episodic weakness, were reviewed. All these dogs underwent standard investigations and had implantable loop recorders placed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A provisional diagnosis of supraventricular tachycardia was made in one dog, and diagnoses of exclusion of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy and idiopathic epilepsy was made in two dogs. One dog suffered no further syncopal episodes, a diagnosis was not reached in another dog and the final dog was lost to follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The implantable loop recorder can be used successfully for the diagnosis of unexplained collapse in dogs.
authors.affiliation: University of Liverpool, Small Animal Teaching Hospital, Chester High Road, Leahurst, Neston CH64 7TE.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Summerfield
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Loureiro
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Swift
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dukes-McEwan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004285:Dogs; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted / Q000662:veterinary; D022062:Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000662:veterinary*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013575:Syncope / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D013617:Tachycardia, Supraventricular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary; D014495:Universities; D014730:Veterinary Medicine / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods