F01 - Congestive Heart Failure in Goats: A Retrospective Study

Abstract: Background- Congestive heart failure (CHF) in goats is poorly described but increasingly diagnosed as pet goats become more popular. More information on caprine cardiac disease is warranted.

Hypothesis/Objectives- This retrospective study aimed to describe presentation, clinical findings, treatment, and outcome of goats diagnosed with CHF.

Animals- Medical records of goats admitted to a tertiary referral center from 2008-2022 were reviewed.

Methods- Goats were included if diagnosed with CHF. Clinical findings, diagnosis, treatment and survival were recorded. Fisher’s exact tests were performed to assess for association between clinical findings and survival.

Results- Twelve cases met inclusion criteria, 58% presented for anorexia/weight loss. Findings included tachycardia (92%), effusion (92%), elevated GGT (92%), low or inappropriately normal fibrinogen given disease severity (58%), tachypnea (58%), a murmur (25%), arrhythmia (17%), edema (25%), cough (25%), and jugular pulses (8%). There was no association between these findings and survival (P≥0.05). All 12 were diagnosed with right-sided CHF, 9 had primary cardiac disease. 33% were euthanized shortly after presentation, 33% died or were euthanized after some treatment and 33% survived. Cardiac medications included beta blockers (n=2), digoxin (n=1), benazepril (n=1) and furosemide (n=4). One goat received transcutaneous electrical cardioversion (TCEC) of atrial fibrillation. Sixty percent of the goats that received cardiac targeted treatment survived to discharge.

Conclusions-CHF should be considered in goats presenting with weight loss, tachycardia, effusions, and biochemical values consistent with hepatic dysfunction. Although not previously reported TCEC and medical management are possible. Further research is needed to better understand CHF in goats.