61
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017
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TVPJOURNAL.COM
PEER
REVIEWED
Advances in Feline
Cardiac Diagnostics
Brent Aona, DVM, and Darcy Adin, DVM, DACVIM
North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine
The diagnosis of cardiac disease in cats can be
challenging and may require a combination
of history, physical examination, laboratory
evaluation, electrocardiography, diagnostic
imaging, and systemic workup. This article
presents 2 clinical cases, 1 with and 1
without clinical signs of heart disease, to
highlight the use of tailored diagnostics
to diagnose cardiac disease in cats.
CASES
Case 1: Tux
Tux is a 4-year-old male, castrated,
domestic medium-haired cat
presented for routine vaccination.
His physical examination is
unremarkable except for a new
grade II/VI left parasternal systolic murmur.
What recommendations should be made?
Case 2: Elvis
Elvis is an 8-year-old male,
castrated, domestic long-haired cat
presented for labored breathing,
first noted by his owner this
morning. A limited physical
examination reveals regular tachycardia (heart
rate, 220 beats/min), dyspnea, pale mucous
membranes, and hypothermia (temperature,
99.0°F). Lung sounds are harsh dorsally and
dull ventrally. A murmur is not auscultated.
What recommendations should be made?
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
Although exceedingly important, physical
examination alone cannot be used to rule in
or rule out heart disease in cats. A murmur
is an important indicator of heart disease;
however, cardiac auscultation alone can be
shutterstock.com/Elena Glezerova
THE RIGHT COMBINATION
The diagnosis of cardiac disease in cats can be challenging and may
require a combination of history, physical examination, laboratory
evaluation, electrocardiography, diagnostic imaging, and systemic workup.