01/04/2024
This happy girl is Matilda! 🥰 She returned to CVCA for a re-evaluation of her Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC), also known as Boxer Cardiomyopathy. We are monitoring her closely on her current antiarrhythmic medication.
What is ARVC ⁉️
In this condition, the muscle of one of the chambers of the heart (usually the right ventricle) is abnormal, leading to the development of serious tachyarrhythmias (abnormally fast heart rhythms). Most frequently, these arrhythmias arise from the lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles). Ventricular arrhythmias may be mild with single abnormal beats observed called ventricular premature complexes (VPCs) or much more severe called ventricular tachycardia which can lead to life-threatening symptoms.
ARVC is characterized by microscopic fatty or fibrotic replacement of the heart muscle cells usually within the right ventricle (pumping chamber), although the left ventricle can also be affected. ARVC in the Boxer breed is considered to be an adult-onset disease with a familial link. There are three broad classifications of the disease: (a) a concealed form with dogs not having any clinical signs of cardiac disease, but with occasional mild ventricular arrhythmias such as VPCs, (b) an overt form where there is evidence of clinical signs such as exercise intolerance and/or collapse with more severe arrhythmias, and (c) a less common form that is characterized by decreased contractility of the heart muscle and signs of congestive heart failure (excessive fluid buildup in the body) in addition to the aforementioned arrhythmias.
Prognosis can be variable for this disease, however, dogs that are asymptomatic and have a good response to antiarrhythmic medications tend to be fair to good, with many dogs remaining aclinical for most of their lives, and that is what we are striving for Matilda!
Big hugs to Matilda and her family!!! ❤