The number of pet minipigs, also called micro- or mini-pigs, has increased. Although cardiovascular diseases, particularly congenital malformations, are well documented in industrial and laboratory minipigs, they have not been reported in pet minipigs, to our knowledge. Detailed cardiac examination in awake pigs is challenging and typically requires sedation or anesthesia, making awareness of potential cardiac conditions essential. We present clinical and pathology findings from 3 pet minipig autopsies: aortic dissection, myxomatous valve degeneration, and ventricular septal defect. These cases highlight the need for increased awareness and investigation of cardiovascular diseases in pet minipigs.
Báez-DíazCCrisóstomoV.Large animal models of cardiovascular disease: from training to translation. J Vis Exp2023;193:e64983.
2.
BevilacquaG, et al. Spontaneous dissecting aneurysm of the aorta in a dog. Vet Pathol1981;18:273–275.
3.
BiasatoI, et al. Left subclavian artery dissection associated with connective tissue abnormalities resembling Marfan-like syndrome in an English bulldog. J Vet Cardiol2018;20:136–142.
4.
BoulineauTM, et al. Spontaneous aortic dissecting hematoma in two dogs. J Vet Diagn Invest2005;17:492–497.
5.
ColakogluEC, et al. Spontaneous type A aortic dissection in a dog. J Vet Cardiol2023;47:14–18.
6.
CôtéE, et al. Annuloaortic ectasia in a four-month-old male Newfoundland dog: long-term follow-up and immunofluorescent study. Vet Q2021;41:280–291.
7.
Ellemann-LaursenS, et al. The incidence of congenital malformations and variations in Göttingen minipigs. Reprod Toxicol2016;64:162–168.
8.
HoSY, et al. Ventricular septal defects in a family of Yucatan miniature pigs. Int J Cardiol1991;33:419–425.
9.
HogenT, et al. Echocardiography recording in awake miniature pigs. J Vis Exp2023;195:e64943.
10.
NienaberCAEagleKA.Aortic dissection: new frontiers in diagnosis and management: Part I: from etiology to diagnostic strategies. Circulation 2003;108:628–635.
11.
ParkerHGKilroy-GlynnP.Myxomatous mitral valve disease in dogs: does size matter?J Vet Cardiol2012;14:19–29.
12.
PloegM, et al. Aortic rupture and aorto-pulmonary fistulation in the Friesian horse: characterisation of the clinical and gross post mortem findings in 24 cases. Equine Vet J2013;45:101–106.
13.
PotterKABesserTE.Cardiovascular lesions in bovine Marfan syndrome. Vet Pathol1994;31:501–509.
14.
ShivaprasadHL, et al. Coronary artery rupture in male commercial turkeys. Avian Pathol2004;33:226–232.
15.
von KodolitschY, et al. Clinical prediction of acute aortic dissection. Arch Intern Med2000;160:2977–2982.
16.
WeyACAtkinsCE.Aortic dissection and congestive heart failure associated with systemic hypertension in a cat. J Vet Intern Med2000;14:208–213.
17.
ZhangJ, et al. A review of spontaneous closure of ventricular septal defect. Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent)2015;28:516–520.
