The most common causes of pericardial effusion include bleeding from a heart base, a right atrial tumor, or idiopathic (from unknown causes) inflammation. Other less common causes include bleeding disorders, bacterial or viral infections, heart failure, low blood protein levels or other ill-defined causes.
How long can a dog live with fluid around his heart?
Survival is expected to be from a few weeks to less than 4-6 months but quality of life between episodes is usually good. Chemotherapy may provide a small survival benefit.
Can fluid around a dogs heart be fixed?
In some cases, pericardial effusion may be treated with a procedure called a pericardectomy. In a pericardectomy, a small opening (window) is made in the pericardium. This allows accumulating fluid to drain out of the pericardium into the surrounding tissues, alleviating pressure on the heart.
What happens when a dog has fluid around the heart?
With the pressure elevated inside the heart, the heart has a lower cardiac output, leading to right-sided congestive heart failure. Fluid retention throughout the body typically follows ascites, swelling of the limbs, and weakness or collapse.
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.
More useful articles on a similar topic 👇
What does it mean when you have fluid around the heart?What causes fluid around a dog's heart?
