Abstract
Background: Pericardial effusions are well described in dogs, however their association with rodenticide intoxication in the canine population is not widely described.
Case Description: An adult mixed breed dog was presented for one-day history of anorexia and cough. Thoracic radiographs revealed moderate generalized cardiomegaly with globoid shaped cardiac silhouette and mild bilateral pleural effusion. Echocardiography showed mild tamponating pericardial effusion and diffuse severe thickened pericardium. Compete blood count (CBC) and blood chemistry at presentation were not specific. A coagulation profile was completed and showed severe prolongation of prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time. Intravenous therapy with vitamin K was started at 5 mg/Kg BID and on follow-up echocardiography performed 12 hours later there was evidence of complete regression of the pericardial thickening and pericardial effusion.
Conclusion: To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case report describing severe pericardial thickening, constrictive pericarditis, and cardiac tamponade secondary to spontaneous anticoagulant-induced hemopericardium in dogs.

Key words: Canine, Pericardial effusion, Rodenticide intoxication.