Simulated cardiology clinic-case studies (Proceedings)

The patient suspected of having a cardiac problem needs to have a complete history taken and physical examination performed; these procedures will establish the correct diagnosis and permit appropriate therapy. The cardiac examination is an extension of the complete physical examination. It includes the signalment (age, breed, sex of the animal), current and previous complaints, clinical history of the complaint, physical examination, radiography, echocardiogram, Doppler as indicated. Common causes of cardiac disease in the dog and cat include:

Cardiac Disease in Dogs

     • Chronic valvular disease

     • Primary arrhythmia

     • Congenital heart disease

     • Dilated cardiomyopathy

     • Pericardial effusion

     • Neoplasm

     • Heartworms

Cardiac Disease in Cats

     • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

     • Intermediate cardiomyopathy

     • Mitral insufficiency

     • Dilated cardiomyopathy

     • Hyperthyroidism

     • Congenital heart disease

     • Systemic thromboembolism

     • Pericardial disease

     • Systemic hypertension

     • Heartworms

References

Tilley, L.P.: Essentials of Canine and Feline Electrocardiography. Interpretation and Treatment. 3rd Edition. Baltimore, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 1992.

Tilley, L.P.; Smith, F.W.K., Jr. (Eds): The Five Minute Veterinary Consult, 4th Edition. Baltimore, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2008.

Tilley, L.P.; Smith, F.W.K., Jr.: "Electrocardiography," Manual of Canine and Feline Cardiology, (eds.) L.P. Tilley et al., Fourth Ed., Ch. 3, pp. 49-77, Saunders Elsevier: St. Louis, Missouri, 2008.

Knoll, J.; Vaden, S.; Smith, F.W.K., Jr.; & Tilley, L.P.; (Editors): Lab Tests and Diagnostic Procedures-The 5 Minute Veterinary Consult – Canine and Feline, Wiley Blackwell Publishing, Ames, Iowa, 2009.