A retrospective study of circadian and seasonal presentations of dogs with congestive heart failure: 119 cases (1997-2009)

J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio). 2012 Jun;22(3):341-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1476-4431.2012.00748.x.

Abstract

Objectives: To test the hypothesis that there is a daily or seasonal rhythm in the presentation of congestive heart failure (CHF) in dogs.

Design: Retrospective case series from 1997 to 2009.

Setting: Small animal veterinary teaching hospital.

Animals: One hundred and nineteen dogs with 126 acute presentations of CHF.

Interventions: None.

Measurements and main results: Medical records from a veterinary teaching hospital were searched for the occurrence of CHF. The effect of admission time, weekday, month, and season were analyzed separately using chi-square tests. CHF presentations were largely confined to Monday and Tuesday (57%) and between 9 am and 11:59 am (55%). CHF was more common during September, October, and November (37%).

Conclusions: Information from this study may assist veterinarians in educating clients about the timing of clinical signs, and enable veterinary hospitals to anticipate CHF cases during certain times of the day and year.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Circadian Rhythm*
  • Dog Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Heart Failure / diagnosis
  • Heart Failure / veterinary*
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Seasons*
  • Time Factors