In severe cases, especially with an acute onset of disease, pericardial effusion may cause sudden collapse and death with no prior signs.
How long can dog live with pericardial effusion?
Survival is expected to be from a few weeks to less than 4-6 months but quality of life between episodes is usually good.
Can dogs survive pericardial effusion?
The prognosis for dogs with pericardial effusion varies greatly, depending on the underlying cause. Congenital PPDH generally has a favorable prognosis. The prognosis for dogs with pericardial effusion secondary to hemangiosarcoma is generally poor, with the average duration of survival reportedly being 1 to 3 months.
How fast does pericardial effusion happen in dogs?
Dogs with pericardial effusion typically develop a sudden onset of lethargy, weakness or collapse in less than 24 hours. In some cases, the signs may develop more slowly over a few days.
How common is pericardial effusion in dogs?
Pericardial effusion is a fairly common acquired heart disease in dogs, and prevalence has been reported to be 0.43% (or 1 dog per 233 cases) of dogs presenting to a referral veterinary hospital, and accounts for approximately 7% of dogs with clinical signs of cardiac disease.
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