Veterinar, Vol. 63 No. 2, 2025.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/ISSN 0303-5409
Heart Tumors in Dogs: A Retrospective Study of 41 Cases (2018–2023)
Irma Turšić
; Veterinarska ambulanta Šegota
*
Marin Torti
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Zagreb, Zagreb, Croartia
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
The aim of this study was to describe the occurrence, clinical signs, and diagnostic and therapeutic approach
to canine cardiac tumors on the basis of 41 cases collected between 2018 and 2023 at the Clinic for
Internal Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb. Cardiac tumors were more frequent
in males, with a mean age of 10 years, and were predominantly observed in medium and large breeds. Mixed-
breed dogs and French Bulldogs were most commonly affected, the latter showing a higher prevalence
of heart-base tumors. The most common clinical sign was dyspnea or tachypnea, while harsher lung sounds
were the most frequent finding on examination. Echocardiography proved to be the most reliable diagnostic
method, whereas radiographic changes were less specific. Therapy was mainly symptomatic, primarily
involving pericardiocentesis. Tumors were most frequently located at the base of the heart, and less often in
the right auricle and atrium. In conclusion, cardiac tumors in dogs are uncommon but clinically relevant conditions,
most often diagnosed in older male dogs of medium and large breeds, with echocardiography being
the diagnostic method of choice.
Keywords
dog; heart; tumor; echocardiography
Hrčak ID:
343375
URI
Publication date:
31.12.2025.
Visits: 390 *