title: Congestive heart failure in two pet rabbits.
abstract: This case report describes congestive heart failure with pleural effusion in two middle-aged, pet house rabbits. Both had a history of acute onset dyspnoea, weakness and weight loss. Bi-atrial enlargement was seen on echocardiography in both rabbits. One rabbit had atrial fibrillation and ventricular premature complexes identified on electrocardiography. There was a radiographically evident pleural effusion in both rabbits and thoracocentesis was undertaken in one rabbit. These findings were confirmed on post-mortem examination. The aetiology for the underlying heart disease was not found, but the potential types of cardiomyopathies are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Division of Veterinary Clinical Science, Hospital for Small Animals, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Roslin, Midlothian.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lord
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Devine
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000662:veterinary; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011817:Rabbits