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Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

Volume: 57 Issue: 2

  • Open Access
  • Short Communication

Management of syncope associated with ventricular premature contractions in a dog

S. Ajithkumar*, K. Kavitha., Anjana Prasad., S. Kavya. and M.R. Lekshmi

Dr. Zoo Pet Hospital, Vilangadan Towers, Subhash Chandra Bose Road, Ponnurunni, Vyttila, Ernakulam, Kerala,682019

Year: 2026, Page: 363-367, Doi: https://doi.org/10.51966/jvas.2026.57.2.363-367

Received: Jan. 24, 2026 Accepted: March 10, 2026 Published: June 30, 2026

Abstract

A four-year-old male Golden Retriever dog was presented with a history of episodes of syncope. Electrocardiography (ECG) revealed atrio-ventricular dissociation and monomorphic ventricular premature contractions (VPCs). Echocardiography revealed moderate left ventricular hypertrophy. The animal responded initially with the treatment of anti-arrhythmic drug,Sotalol at the dose rate of 0.5 mg/kg body weight BID along with Enalapril, diuretics and antibiotics. However, after few months, the animal showed peaked T waves in ECG, indicating myocardial hypoxia and the Sotalol dose was increased to 1 mg/kg body weight BID. The animal again showed an attack of syncope with VPCs, six months after the initiation of treatment and responded well with the combination therapy of Sotalol at the rate of 1 mg/kg BID and Mexiletine at the rate of 4 mg/kg BID.

Keywords: Ventricular premature contractions, left ventricular hypertrophy, Sotalol and Mexiletine

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Cite this article

Ajithkumar, S., Kavitha, K., Prasad Anjana., Kavya, S., & Lekshmi, M. R. (2026). Management of syncope associated with ventricular premature contractions in a dog. Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, 57(2),363-367 https://doi.org/10.51966/jvas.2026.57.2.363-367

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