Congestive heart failure in a calf with respiratory distress syndrome

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Değirmençay Ş.

4th International Conference of Food, Agriculture, and Veterinary Sciences, Van, Türkiye, 27 - 28 Mayıs 2022, ss.194-195

  • Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Özet Bildiri
  • Basıldığı Şehir: Van
  • Basıldığı Ülke: Türkiye
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.194-195
  • Atatürk Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a syndrome characterized by respiratory distress caused by insufficient development of the lungs and surfactant deficiency. The purpose of this case report is to establish the presence of congestive heart failure detected in a calf with RDS. A 20-day-old male Simmental calf was brought to our clinic with complaints of premature birth, weakness, reluctance to move, constant recumbency and growth retardation since birth, cough, breathlessness when moving and syncope afterwards. The physical examination revealed a rectal temperature of 35.6 °C, heart rate of 104 beats per minute, respiratory rate of 48 breaths per minute and capillary refill time of 5 seconds, dyspnea and cyanotic mucous membranes. On thoracic auscultation wheezing and systolic murmur were present. Thoracic radiographs revealed reduced lung volume and inflammation in the lungs and cardiomegaly, affecting the right side. Echocardiography showed tricuspid valve regurgitation and right atrial dilatation. Neutrophilic leukocytosis was detected in the hemogram findings. Blood gas analysis revealed a reduction in venous blood pH, pO2 and sO2 levels, and an increase in pCO2 levels, consistent with dyspnea and hypoxia. In biochemical findings, a significant increase was detected in cTnI, CK-MB, CK, AST and LDH activities. The owner refused the treatment and after a day he reported the death of his calf. As a result, congestive heart failure and secondary lung infection caused life-threatening hypoxia in this calf with RDS. Tricuspid valve regurgitation and atrial dilatation could be due to congenital origin or pulmonary circulation pressure which has been reported to be increased in RDS. This case report highlights that cardiac damage may occur in calves with RDS and cTnI, CK-MB, CK, AST and LDH parameters can be used in the evaluation of this damage and the value of echocardiography for antemortem diagnosis.