Flutter diafragmático sincrônico em cão: relato de caso

Abstract

Synchronous diaphragmatic flutter is a condition rarely reported in the medical clinic of dogs. It consists of the development of rhythmic, involuntary and fast diaphragmatic contractions, synchronously with the heartbeat. It’s associated to electrolyte imbalances, mainly hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia, which lead to an increase in the excitability of the phrenic nerve and being stimulated by cardiac activity during path to the diaphragm. The present report aimed to describe the occurrence of a case of synchronous diaphragmatic flutter in a dog. The clinical-latoratorial findings were the presence of hypocalcemia, total and ionized, and hypomagnesemia, associated with intense vomiting and the occurrence of characteristic contractions. The diagnosis was possible due to the observation of the specific clinical sign and the serum electrolyte measurements, which showed the alterations described in the literature for synchronous diaphragmatic flutter. So, the presentation of this report contributes to the scientific literature as it addresses the occurrence of this rare alteration in the canine species.