Case 15 — Tachycardia

Presenting Complaint

  • Recheck skin and ears

Signalment

  • Species: Canine
  • Breed: Golden retriever
  • Age: 9 years
  • Sex: Male castrated
  • Weight: 42 kg
  • Name: Mac

History

  • Long history of problems including ventral slot surgery for a type II cervical disk protrusion at C6–7, right front leg lameness, seborrhea oleosa, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, urinary tract infection, and hypothyroidism.
  • Here today to get his skin and ears rechecked.
  • On prednisolone therapy for suspected cervical neuritis.

Physical Examination

  • T = 101.4°F; RR = panting; HR = 126
  • General condition: Bright, alert, and happy.
  • Skin around head and neck not as thick as last recheck. Seborrhea still present.
  • No lameness noted. Dog is moving freely.
  • No other abnormalities noted.

Plan

  • Mac will stay overnight for a therapeutic bath tomorrow.

Comments

  • At 7:00 PM the ward technician found Mac collapsed in his cage. He was taken to ICU where a tachycardia was identified. His mucous membranes were white and his capillary refill time was prolonged. His femoral pulse was very weak to nonexistent. An ECG was obtained (next page).