Exotics Cardiology Flashcards
(29 cards)
where does the heart lie in birds?
coelomic cavity
slightly right of midline
close sternal contact
apex surrounded by liver
what are the atrioventricular valves like in the bird heart?
left: tricuspid
right: rectangular in shape and muscular
how are bird hearts adapted to high-performance demands?
increased stroke volume, cardiac output, and heart rate
small diameter cardiac muscle fibers
atria more important for ventricular filling than anything else
what are some differences in the conduction system of bird hearts?
atrioventricular ring
ventricular depolarization not from endocardium outward
what can you see on the lateral view of a bird?
close sternal contact
brachiocephalic trunk, aorta, pulmonary arteries
what can be found on physical examination of a bird with cardiac disease?
bluish tinge to periorbital skin
sunken periorbital region
edema of legs or wings
dyspnea
exercise intolerance
generalized weakness
ascites
what are the views with echocardiography in birds?
parrots, raptors: ventromedian approach (most common)
pigeons, others: parasternal approach as well
what arrhythmias might be seen on electrocardiography of birds?
2nd and 3rd degree AV block
sinus arrest
T wave depression
APCs
how can you treat cardiac disease in birds?
furosemide
ACE inhibitors
cardiac glycosides
antiarrhythmics
pericardiocentesis when warranted
how common is atherosclerosis in birds?
13% in study had
what are some abnormalities that are normal for ferrets?
sinus arrhythmia
sinus pauses
what can be found on physical examination of ferrets with cardiac disease?
pale/cyanotic mucous membranes
prolonged CRT
hypothermia
auscultation
abdominal palpation
why do we perform radography on ferrets?
evaluate cardiac size
presence of pulmonary edema, pleural effusion, pulmonary venous congestion/dilation
what is the diagnostic of choice to diagnose structural cardiac disease in ferrets?
echocardiography
what is the gold standard for diagnosing arrhythmias and conduction abnormalities in ferrets?
electrocardiography
what is the suspected cause of DCM in ferrets?
genetic cause
how common is chronic valvular disease in ferrets?
52% in study had valvular regurgitation
what is the prognosis of heartworm disease in ferrets?
guarded to poor
what arrhythmias can ferrets have?
APCs/VPCs
atrial fibrillation
sinus bradycardia
describe a bird heart
right atrium larger than left atrium
right ventricle thin-walled, sickle-moon shaped
left ventricle thick-walled, cone-shaped
what is electrocardiography useful for in birds?
arrhythmias
conduction disorders
detecting ventricular enlargement
which birds are more likely to have atherosclerosis?
african greys
amazons
what cardiac diseases can ferrets commonly get?
chronic valvular disease
dilated cardiomyopathy
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
what heart rate in ferrets carries a poor prognosis and can rapidly become symptomatic?
<80 bpm
