Possible sinoatrial node dysfunction in a 6-month-old domestic shorthair cat

Hillen, Florence; Locquet, Laurent

Abstract

Case summary A six-month-old male entire domestic shorthair cat was presented to the ophthalmology department for nasolacrimal duct cannulation and flushing, and castration under general anaesthesia. On preanaesthetic assessment the cat had a heart rate of 90 beats per minute (bpm). Clinical examination was unremarkable, although the cat appeared stressed. Differential diagnoses included increased vagal tone and sinoatrial node dysfunction (SND). The latter was suspected as the cat demonstrated signs of stress although an atropine response test was not performed. The echocardiogram was within normal limits. An ambulatory ECG monitor was fitted overnight, and analysis of the electrocardiogram revealed a sinus rhythm with a lower than normal heart rate. The mean one-minute average rate was 98bpm. There was a slower than normal sinus rhythm and frequent ventricular escape beats. Relevant and novel information SND is relatively common in dogs but extremely rare in cats. To the authors' knowledge there is only one affected cat mentioned in the literature. In both dogs and humans most cases are described are in middle-aged and elderly patients, and although the condition is recognised in human infants and fetuses it has not been reported in dogs under two years of age. This case is unusual because SND was suspected in an immature cat. On analysis of electrocardiogram the heart rate was considerably lower than those previously reported in hospitalised cats. Findings on physical examination were however subtle highlighting the importance of pre-anaesthetic examination in identifying unexpected abnormalities.

Citation

Hillen, F., & Locquet, L. (2024). Possible sinoatrial node dysfunction in a 6-month-old domestic shorthair cat. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Open Reports, 10(2), https://doi.org/10.1177/20551169241291841

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 26, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Dec 6, 2024
• Publication Date: Dec 6, 2024
• Deposit Date: Oct 17, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 6, 2024
• Journal: Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Open Reports
• Electronic ISSN: 2055-1169
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 10
• Issue: 2
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/20551169241291841
• Keywords: Sinoatrial node dysfunction; Cat; Preanaesthetic assessment; Cardiology
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/40586956