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Cardiovascular disease in central bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps): 54 cases (2007-2022)
Sarah M Ozawa1, Kursten V Pierce1, Amy B Alexander2
1Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.
Insights
Cardiovascular disease in bearded dragons is challenging to diagnose due to varied signs. Aneurysms were the most frequent cause of death, highlighting the need for diagnostic imaging in suspected cases.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Reptile Health
- Cardiology
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a concern in captive reptiles.
- Central bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) are popular exotic pets, making their health relevant to veterinary practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical presentation, pathological findings, and outcomes of cardiovascular disease in central bearded dragons.
- To identify common cardiovascular diagnoses and risk factors for mortality in this species.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study analyzed data from 54 bearded dragons diagnosed with cardiovascular disease between 2007 and 2022.
- Data included clinical signs, physical examination findings, diagnostic imaging, and postmortem diagnoses from six veterinary hospitals.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of CVD was 3.3%. Common clinical signs included altered mentation, dehydration, and dyspnea.
- Myocarditis, aneurysms, and pericardial effusion were the most frequent diagnoses. Aneurysms were significantly associated with death from cardiovascular disease (OR, 43.75).
Conclusions:
- Diagnosing CVD in bearded dragons is difficult due to nonspecific clinical signs.
- Antemortem diagnostics, including imaging, are recommended for suspected cases.
- Aneurysms represent a critical cardiovascular diagnosis associated with high mortality in bearded dragons.
Objective:
To describe the clinical features, histopathologic lesions, and outcome of cardiovascular disease in central bearded dragons.
Animals:
54 bearded dragons.
Methods:
Retrospective evaluation of captive bearded dragons with antemortem imaging or postmortem diagnosis of cardiovascular disease from 2007 to 2022 from 6 hospitals.
Results:
The total prevalence of cardiovascular disease was 3.3% (54/1,655). Physical examination findings were available in 46 cases with change in mentation being the most common finding (n = 28/46 [60.9%]), followed by dehydration (17/46 [37%]), palpable coelomic mass (13/46 [28.3%]), dyspnea (10/46 [21.7%]), and sunken eyes (10/46 [21.7%)]. Doppler auscultation revealed an arrhythmia in 5/34 (14.7%) animals. Diagnostic imaging was only performed on 21 animals, and 10 (47.6%) had cardiovascular abnormalities described. In total, 84 cardiovascular diagnoses were found in 54 animals. The most common diagnosis was myocarditis (n = 14) followed by aneurysms (11), pericardial effusion (9), atherosclerosis (7), epicarditis (7), and myocardial degeneration/necrosis (7). Overall, 62 causes of death were identified in 52 cases, with cardiovascular disease being the most common (n = 18/52 [34.5%]). Only 3/54 animals were diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Animals with aneurysms were more likely to die to due cardiovascular disease compared to other types of cardiovascular diagnoses (OR, 43.75; 95% CI, 4.88 to 392.65; P < .001).
Clinical Relevance:
Diagnosis of cardiovascular disease in bearded dragons is challenging given the inconsistent clinical presentation; however, it should remain a differential in animals with nonspecific signs of illness. Antemortem diagnostics are recommended in suspected cases, including diagnostic imaging. Of the cardiovascular diseases described, aneurysms most often contributed to clinical demise.
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