Congestive heart failure in a calf with respiratory distress syndrome

Respiratory

distress syndrome (RDS) is a syndrome characterized by respiratory distress

caused by insufficient development of the lungs and surfactant deficiency. The

purpose of this case report is to establish the presence of congestive heart

failure detected in a calf with RDS. A 20-day-old male Simmental calf was

brought to our clinic with complaints of premature birth, weakness, reluctance

to move, constant recumbency and growth retardation since birth, cough,

breathlessness when moving and syncope afterwards. The physical examination revealed a rectal

temperature of 35.6 °C, heart rate of 104 beats per minute, respiratory rate of

48 breaths per minute and capillary refill time of 5 seconds, dyspnea and

cyanotic mucous membranes. On thoracic auscultation wheezing and systolic

murmur were present. Thoracic radiographs revealed reduced lung volume and

inflammation in the lungs and cardiomegaly, affecting the right side.

Echocardiography showed tricuspid valve regurgitation and right atrial

dilatation. Neutrophilic leukocytosis was detected in the hemogram findings. Blood gas analysis revealed a reduction in venous blood pH, pO2 and sO2 levels, and an increase in

pCO2 levels, consistent with dyspnea and hypoxia. In biochemical

findings, a significant increase was detected in cTnI, CK-MB, CK, AST and LDH activities. The owner refused the treatment

and after a day he reported the death of his calf. As a result, congestive

heart failure and secondary lung infection caused life-threatening hypoxia in

this calf with RDS. Tricuspid valve regurgitation and atrial dilatation could

be due to congenital origin or pulmonary circulation pressure which has been

reported to be increased in RDS. This case report highlights that cardiac

damage may occur in calves with RDS and cTnI, CK-MB, CK, AST and LDH parameters

can be used in the evaluation of this damage and the value of echocardiography

for antemortem diagnosis.<o:p></o:p>