Cardiology in Rabbits and Rodents-Common Cardiac Diseases, Therapeutic Options, and Limitations

Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2022 May;25(2):525-540. doi: 10.1016/j.cvex.2022.01.006.

Abstract

Information about heart diseases and their treatment is still sparce for rabbits and rodents. Dilated cardiomyopathy seems to occur more frequently in rabbits, whereas in guinea pigs pericardial effusion is often diagnosed. There are still no available therapeutic studies for heart diseases in rabbits and rodents, and treatment is often extrapolated from dogs and cats. Consideration should be given to the off-label use of drugs, mostly not licensed in the species mentioned in this article.

Keywords: Cardiology; Guinea pig; Heart disease; Rabbits; Rodents; Therapeutics.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cardiology*
  • Cat Diseases* / therapy
  • Cats
  • Dog Diseases*
  • Dogs
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Heart Diseases* / therapy
  • Heart Diseases* / veterinary
  • Rabbits
  • Rodentia