About

Dr. Darcy Brittain Adin is a board-certified veterinary cardiologist and a Clinical Professor in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. She serves as the Associate Dean of Clinical Services for Small Animal and works as a clinician at the Small Animal Hospital, where she treats animals with heart disease. Her clinical focus is particularly on improving the lives of dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease and congestive heart failure. Dr. Adin is also the Director of the Open-Heart Surgery Program at the Small Animal Hospital, providing surgical treatment to repair the mitral valve of affected dogs through the expertise of Dr. Katsuhiro Matsuura. Her research concentrates on understanding and improving treatments for heart failure in pets. She has reported on refining diuretic use, the role of the kidney in heart disease, neurohormonal system factors such as the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and electrolyte disturbances affecting disease progression. Her work aims to optimize medical interventions and explore the effects of electrolyte imbalances on disease outcomes, with the ultimate goal of enhancing clinical management and treatment efficacy for pets with heart disease.

Research topics

• Internal medicine
• Medicine
• Biology
• Endocrinology
• Genetics
• Computer Science
• Gastroenterology
• Simulation
• Biochemistry
• Cardiology
• Pharmacology
• Embedded system
• Animal science
• Engineering

Selected publications

• Patient safety investigative methods identify contributors to canine magnetic resonance imaging dermatologic thermal injuries in an academic hospital

  American Journal of Veterinary Research · 2026-04-07

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Objective: To describe MRI-associated ECG electrode site thermal burns in dogs and the patient safety investigation that identified a reduction of radiofrequency energy output as a modifiable factor associated with their resolution. Animals: 10 client-owned dogs undergoing MRI that experienced skin lesions at the ECG electrode site from April through December 2024. Clinical Presentation: The reason for MRI was brain imaging in 5 dogs, spine imaging in 4 dogs, and both brain and spine imaging in 1 dog. Median weight was 14.7 kg (range, 3.1 to 31.5). Median age was 9 years (range, 1 to 13). Results: After an MRI upgrade, 10 dogs experienced skin lesions consistent with thermal injury at the ECG electrode site. Thermal injury was mild (7) and moderate to severe (3). Two dogs underwent skin biopsy, which confirmed second-degree burns. A comprehensive, systematic, iterative approach to investigate these patient harm events was undertaken, involving multiple investigations and procedural changes. Resolution came after MRI radiofrequency energy output was reduced despite being measured in the acceptable range. Clinical Relevance: The approach used to investigate MRI-associated thermal burns in this study highlights the importance of identifying root causes to improve system safety and ultimately prevent future harm. Histologic confirmation of thermal injury has not previously been reported in dogs and was important because it refocused the investigation on MRI output as a potential cause.

  PublisherDOI

• Hypochloremia is negatively associated with outcomes in cats with stable congestive heart failure

  American Journal of Veterinary Research · 2026-03-02

  articleOpen access

  Objective: To assess the association between serum chloride concentration (s[Cl-]) and survival outcomes in cats with stable congestive heart failure (CHF). Methods: This was a single-institution retrospective study. Medical record reviews of 178 client-owned cats from 2014 through 2024 identified 84 cats meeting inclusion criteria of stable CHF at least 1 week after hospitalization. Cats with significant gastrointestinal disease were excluded. Biochemical parameters, medications, and survival were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier methods. Forward stepwise Cox proportional hazards regression was used to identify independent predictors of death risk. Results: Hypochloremia was defined as s[Cl-] < 112 mEq/L (the lower limit of the reference range). Fifteen cats were hypochloremic, and 69 cats were normochloremic. Hypochloremia was independently associated with a higher risk of death (hazard ratio, 2.82), and survival was shorter for cats with s[Cl-] < 112 mEq/L (159 days) compared to cats with s[Cl-] > 112 mEq/L (392 days). Diuretic dose was significantly higher in the hypochloremic group but was not an independent predictor of outcome in multivariable modeling. Two other confounders independently predicted outcome in the multivariable model (higher death risk with pimobendan use; hazard ratio, 1.96; lower death risk with normal BUN < 28 mg/dL; hazard ratio, 0.45). Conclusions: In this cohort of cats with stable CHF, hypochloremia was independently associated with significantly shorter survival and increased mortality risk. Clinical Relevance: Efforts to normalize s[Cl-] in cats with CHF merit consideration.

  PublisherDOI

• Radiographic features of cardiogenic pulmonary oedema in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy

  Journal of Small Animal Practice · 2025-03-18 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access

  OBJECTIVES: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common cause of acquired cardiac disorder in dogs, second only to myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). This study aimed to describe the thoracic radiographic features of cardiogenic pulmonary oedema in dogs with DCM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thoracic radiographs of dogs in left-sided congestive heart failure with an echocardiographically confirmed diagnosis of DCM were included in this retrospective study. Radiographs were retrospectively reviewed by two radiologists to assess the distribution, severity and characteristics of the pulmonary pattern, as well as to identify the presence of pleural effusion and degree of cardiomegaly. RESULTS: A total of 97 dogs with L-CHF due to DCM met the inclusion criteria. Results of the study suggest that the predominant pulmonary pattern differs from myxomatous mitral valve disease and is characterised by a mild to moderate (62/97 or 63.9% and 30/97 or 30.9%, respectively), unstructured interstitial (72 or 74.2%), diffuse (90 or 92.8%) and predominantly ventrally distributed (52 or 53.6%) pulmonary pattern. A subset of dogs (49 or 50.5%) had diffusely distributed linear soft tissue opacities throughout all lung lobes considered to represent pulmonary vascular congestion, bronchial cuffing and/or thickening of the bronchi. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The pulmonary pattern of L-CHF with DCM differs from what has been previously reported for dogs with MMVD. The predominant pulmonary pattern with L-CHF in dogs with DCM was a diffuse, marked, more severely ventrally distributed, mild to moderate, unstructured interstitial pulmonary pattern.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Twenty-Four-Hour Electrocardiographic Monitoring for Assessment of Cardiac Arrhythmias in Healthy and Hospitalized Goats

  Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine · 2025-06-02

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: Continuous 24-h electrocardiographic (ECG) recording is a well-established method for the detection of intermittent arrhythmias in veterinary medicine. The clinical utility of 24-h ECG for the detection of intermittent arrhythmias in hospitalized goats has not been reported. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: (1) Determine the clinical feasibility of continuous 24-h ECG monitoring in goats; (2) Report the frequency of ventricular arrhythmias in healthy and hospitalized medically ill goats. ANIMALS: Eleven healthy goats, 20 hospitalized medically ill goats. METHODS: Prospective clinical study. Continuous 24-h ECG recordings were performed. Electrocardiograms were analyzed for rhythm diagnosis. The number of ventricular premature depolarizations (VPD) was compared between groups using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. RESULTS: The ECG monitors were well-tolerated in 30/31 goats, with no adverse effects. Twenty-eight recordings were of sufficient quality for analysis with a median readable time of 23 h (range, 15-24 h). Eleven goats had ventricular arrhythmias (4 healthy, 7 medically ill), consisting of single VPDs only in 7 goats (3 healthy, 4 medically ill), VPDs and ventricular couplets in 4 goats (1 healthy, 3 medically ill), and ventricular rhythm consistent with accelerated idioventricular rhythm (AIVR) or ventricular tachycardia in 2 goats (2 medically ill). A significant difference in the number of VPDs in healthy goats (median, 0; range, 0-9) and medically ill goats was not identified (median, 0; range, 0-201; p = 0.66), but a larger sample size is required. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Most goats tolerated 24-h ECG monitoring well, although a few recordings were of poor quality. Ventricular arrhythmias were seen in healthy and medically ill goats.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Antidiuretic hormone concentrations in dogs with heart disease and relationship to serum chloride

  Journal of Veterinary Cardiology · 2025-01-31 · 2 citations

  articleSenior authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy-like Transient Systolic Dysfunction in Two Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

  Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery · 2025-02-27 · 2 citations

  articleCorresponding

  ) were presented to the University of Florida zoological medicine department on separate dates, both being unable to fly. One eagle had a fracture of the left humerus, and the second had no external injuries. Thoracic radiographs of both animals revealed cardiomegaly, and echocardiography revealed reduced systolic function. Both eagles were treated with oral pimobendan until recheck echocardiography documented normal systolic function. Several weeks after pimobendan was discontinued, the echocardiograms of both eagles showed normal systolic function and were considered normal. The transient nature of systolic dysfunction in these 2 eagles could be consistent with a stress-induced, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy-like phenotype although traumatic myocarditis or adverse anesthetic reactions must also be considered.

  PublisherDOI

• Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Profiling in Horses Before and After Exercise

  Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine · 2025-03-01 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  BACKGROUND: The impact of exercise on the classical and alternative renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) pathways has not been studied in horses. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that exercise would activate both RAAS pathways and that endurance exercise would cause more activation of the classical pathway compared to short-duration, high-intensity exercise in horses. ANIMALS: Twenty-five horses (21 client-owned and 4 research) were included in 4 exercise groups (10 Arabians, 50-mile ride [A-E]; 4 thoroughbreds, 1-mile treadmill exercise [TB-TM]; 5 thoroughbreds, 1-1/16th-mile race [TB-R]; and 6 quarter horses 330-500-yard race [QH-R]). METHODS: Blood was collected before and after exercise. Equilibrium analysis was performed to measure serum RAAS metabolites and enzyme activities. The components of the RAAS pathways were compared before and after exercise. Post/pre-exercise ratios for each variable were compared among exercise groups. Data were reported as median (first, third quartiles; pre vs. post) and p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Exercise increased classical RAAS metabolites (pmol/L; angiotensin I, 2.5 [2.5, 2.5] vs. 8.2 [2.5, 19.0]; angiotensin II, 10.2 [6.0, 21.9] vs. 53.0 [37.4, 95.8]; aldosterone, 83.8 [53.4, 149.5] vs. 170.6 [112.2, 251.7]); alternative RAAS metabolites (pmol/L; angiotensin 1-7, 1.5 [1.5, 1.5] vs. 5.1 [1.5, 12.5]; angiotensin 1-5, 2.5 [2.5, 7.3] vs. 14.9 [9.0, 25.4]) and angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 activity (ng/mL; 16.6 [13.9, 20.4] vs. 25.2 [20.2, 33.0]; p < 0.001) for all horses. Angiotensin 1-7 ratios were higher for TB-R compared with TB-TM and A-E (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Both classical and alternative RAAS pathways increase after exercise in horses.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Copeptin Hormone Concentrations in Dogs with Heart Disease and Relationship with Antidiuretic Hormone

  Animals · 2025-04-01

  articleOpen access

  Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) is upregulated in dogs with cardiac disease. However, measurement of ADH is impractical in a clinical setting. Copeptin is co-secreted with ADH, making it a potential biomarker of ADH secretion. We hypothesized that dogs with cardiac disease would upregulate copeptin concentrations and that copeptin would positively correlate with ADH, serum chloride ([Cl−]), and degree of mathematical [Cl−] correction. The study population comprised 19 healthy, 20 preclinical (Stage B), and 20 congestive heart failure (CHF, Stage C or D) dogs. Groups were compared with Kruskal–Wallis tests. The agreement between ADH and copeptin was assessed with Bland–Altman analysis. Relationships between copeptin and clinical variables were explored using multivariable linear regression. There were no significant differences in copeptin concentrations among healthy (median 54.9 pg/mL; range 0.5–196.1), preclinical (median 43.6 pg/mL; range 0.5–131.4), and CHF (median 60.5 pg/mL; range 0.5–997.8) dogs (p = 0.76). Relative to ADH, copeptin showed a negative proportional bias of −87.8 pg/mL with wide limits of agreement (−421.8 to 246.2). Linear regression showed a significant influence of age on copeptin concentration. Copeptin measured by ELISA does not reflect the ADH concentration in healthy dogs or in dogs with cardiac disease. Copeptin concentrations are, however, inversely associated with age.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Fluid and Electrolyte Therapy in the Patient with Cardiac Disease

  Veterinary Clinics of North America Small Animal Practice · 2025-10-16

  review1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Clinical Outcomes of Mitral Valve Repair in Dogs With Pulmonary Hypertension Secondary to Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease

  Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine · 2025-04-22 · 3 citations

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) can cause pulmonary hypertension (PH). Mitral valve repair (MVR) has been described as a surgical treatment option for MMVD, but the benefit of MVR when PH is present is unknown. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To investigate the change in echocardiographic variables and long-term outcomes of dogs with PH secondary to MMVD after MVR. ANIMALS: Twenty-one dogs with PH secondary to MMVD that underwent MVR. METHODS: Inclusion criteria were MMVD dogs that had a high probability of PH according to the metrics established in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) consensus statement on PH in dogs, and that had two follow-up evaluations. Echocardiographic variables before MVR were compared with the follow-up evaluations after surgery. RESULTS: Before surgery, 12 dogs were Stage C whereas 9 dogs were Stage D. Echocardiographically normalized left ventricular internal diameter in diastole (LVIDDN), mitral E wave velocity, the ratio of the left atrial dimension to the aortic annulus dimension (LA/Ao) and tricuspid regurgitation velocity were significantly decreased after surgery (p < 0.01). Complete resolution of preoperative clinical signs was achieved in 71.4% of dogs after surgery. However, two dogs had residual PH (9.5%) and three dogs that had resolution of PH post-operatively had recurrent PH (14.2%). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: We showed that most dogs with PH before MVR had decreases in estimated pulmonary arterial pressure after surgery as well as resolution of clinical signs. Some dogs had residual PH and late PH recurrence after MVR, which could suggest underlying pulmonary arterial pathology.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Amara H. Estrada

  University of Florida

  22 shared

• Herbert W. Maisenbacher

  19 shared

• Kathryn M. Meurs

  North Carolina State University

  18 shared

• Clarke E. Atkins

  North Carolina State University

  18 shared

• Robert A. Prosek

  18 shared

• Sandra Tou

  North Carolina State University

  17 shared

• Scott B. Citino

  16 shared

• Nyurka Ojeda

  University of Florida

  16 shared

Awards & honors

• FVMA Clinical Investigator Award 2022