Presentation
One month of anorexia and lethargy.
Patient Data
The heart is markedly small and lifted off of the sternum. The pulmonary vasculature as well as the aorta and caudal vena cava are also reduced in size. The pulmonary structures appear within normal limits. Within the viewable abdomen the liver appears enlarged, extending past the costochondral arches. The microcardia and small pulmonary vasculature are consistent with hypovolemia.
Case Discussion
Hypovolemia was diagnosed on presentation, estimated at 5-7% dehydrated on clinical examination.
Hepatic lipidosis, muscle atrophy, and depletion of lipid stores was diagnosed on necropsy. Pancreatitis and pancreatic fibrosis were also identified.
When circulating blood volume is reduced through blood loss, dehydration, or shock, the cardiac and vascular structures in the thorax can appear small on radiographs. In this case, the heart is small, giving the appearance of "lifting" from the sternum. The shape of the heart is also often more angular, and less rounded than usual. The pulmonary vessels, aorta and caudal vena cava are small. The reduced pulmonary circulation also makes the lungs appear more lucent. In this case, the hepatic lipidosis was the primary disease with secondary dehydration.
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