Pericardial effusion in a central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps), with a technique for pericardiocentesis

Abstract

AbstractA 10‐year‐old central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) presented with dyspnoea, tachypnoea, lethargy, pale mucous membranes, excessive oral mucus and exercise intolerance. Echocardiography demonstrated a marked pericardial effusion. A pericardiocentesis was performed under general anaesthesia, demonstrating cytology consistent with a presumptive diagnosis of a proteinaceous effusion secondary to atherosclerosis. Nonspecific abnormalities were diagnosed on haematology and biochemistry, including a heterophilia, bacteraemia, hypoproteinaemia, elevated aspartate aminotransferase and a hyperphosphatemia. Full‐body radiographs demonstrated an enlarged cardiac silhouette with no other abnormalities detected. Echocardiography demonstrated a marked pericardial effusion. A pericardiocentesis was performed under general anaesthesia demonstrating cytology consistent with a non‐inflammatory cause. The patient was started on furosemide, pimobendan and benazepril. After an initial improvement, the patient declined and the owner elected euthanasia on humane grounds after 4 weeks. Pericardial effusion is becoming better recognised in bearded dragons; however, there is little to no literature available describing antemortem diagnostic protocols, treatments and outcomes. In this case, the survival time was higher than other cases that used pericardiocentesis alone. This report has opened an area of cardiology requiring investigation in the future.