5개월간의 일시적인 기절현상(syncope)을 주증상으로 내원한 9개월령의 1.97kg 미니어쳐 핀셔견에서 호흡곤란, 심초음파에서의 현저한 심실/심방의 확장, 전반적인 심비대, 약한 맥박, 폐수종 등 DCM의 진단 지표를 기준을 통해 확장성 심근병을 진단하였다. 본 증례에서 심초음파 검사는 심장의 확장과 심무력을 유발하는 다른 심장 질환을 배제하고 DCM을 확진 하는데 중요한 역할을 하였다. 치료를 위해 산소공급과, nitroglycerine patch, furosemide, pimobendan, benazepril, potassium gluconate gel을 19일간 처방한 결과 초기 내원시 보였던 대부분의 임상증상이 개선되었다.
A 9-month-old, female Miniature Pinscher(MP) dog weighing 1.97kg was presented because of periodic syncopal episode for 5 months. This case was diagnosed as primary dilated cardiomyopathy based on respiratory distress history, weak femoral pulse, generalized cardiomegaly, pulmonary edema, marked dilation of left atrium(LA) and left ventricle(LV), decreased wall thickness of LV and interventricular septum(IVS), increased EPSS in echocardiography, and young age of onset in the absence of other cardiovascular disorders. The patient was stabilized by application of diuretics(Furosemide, 2 mg/kg, SC, q 1 hr) and venodilator(Nitroglycerine patch, 0.5 mg/kg, q 12 hrs). Clinical signs were improved with medical management of positive inotropic vasodilator(Pimobendan, 0.2 mg/kg, PO, q 12 hrs) and angiotensin-converting enzyme(ACE) inhibitor(benazepril, 0.5 mg/kg, PO, q 12 hrs), potassium gluconate gel(2 mEq/dog, PO, q 12 hrs) and, L-carnitine(50 mg/kg, PO, q 12 hrs). The dog still maintains stable clinical status 10 months after the first visit. We report the rare case of DCM in small breed dog, which corresponds to the diagnosis and treatment of typical DCM in large breed dog.
