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Diagnostic challenges and treatment options of a suspected pericardial metallic projectile foreign body in a dog
Author(s) -
Elliott Joshua M.,
Mayhew Philipp D.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of veterinary emergency and critical care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.886
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1476-4431
pISSN - 1479-3261
DOI - 10.1111/j.1476-4431.2011.00690.x
Subject(s) - medicine , foreign body , pericardial effusion , asymptomatic , foreign bodies , pericarditis , surgery , intracardiac injection , pericardium , pericardiocentesis , pericardial fluid , radiology
Objective To describe a case of a suspected pericardial metallic projectile foreign body in a dog with a history of trauma to the left shoulder and to review the literature regarding the management of cardiac and intracardiac foreign bodies. Case Summary A 3‐year‐old male, neutered B rittany spaniel presented with a 10‐day history of decreased activity and partial anorexia. Serial thoracic radiographs identified a migrating pericardial metallic projectile foreign body and an echocardiogram diagnosed pericardial effusion and abdominal ultrasound identified the presence of ascites. Concern for a possible effusive‐constrictive pericarditis prompted a subphrenic pericardectomy performed via thoracoscopy. The foreign body was not recovered. Six months postsurgery, the dog remained asymptomatic. New or Unique Information Provided Considering the high rate of complications that develop in human patients where the foreign bodies are not removed, veterinarians should be aware of risks associated with long standing pericardial foreign bodies even when no clinical signs are present. Guidelines from the human literature may be considered for investigation of, and treatment options for, cardiac and intracardiac metallic projectile foreign bodies in dogs.