Veterinary Medicine Essentials: Congestive heart failure

Congestive heart failure. A complex topic to say the least since there are so many causes and clinical signs. And we're talking about the heart-a delicate, dare we say essential organ. We've gathered our best articles on this topic to make sure your veterinary patients' outcomes are a success instead of a failure.

Updates on congestive heart failure

Unclog your congestive heart failure protocols using dvm360 hacks

Aug 03, 2016

Have a change of heart-or your standard operating procedures-when it comes to helping patients with this debilitating cardiac disease. ...

Dilated cardiomyopathy: When having a big heart is a bad thing

Jun 20, 2016

Study suggests that heart enlargement may be predictor of sudden cardiac death in Doberman pinschers with dilated cardiomyopathy. ...

Lecture Link: Feline cardiology review

Aug 01, 2014

A look at some pointers for evaluating a cat for heart disease. ...

Journal Scan: Using the vertebral heart scale to categorize dyspnea in cats

Apr 15, 2013

This study found that the presence or absence of a heart murmur does not reliably predict cardiac disease in cats. ...

Journal Scan: Does pimobendan prevent CHF or sudden death in Dobermans with preclinical DCM?

Feb 04, 2013

Find out if this drug can prolong survival if given earlier in the course of disease. ...

Leading Off: An app that does the heart good

Feb 01, 2013

Dr. Barret Bulmer examines a handy tool for your iPhone that lets you record ECGs. ...

Lecture Link: The NT-proBNP assay: A portent of heart health

Aug 01, 2012

Find out the latest on this cardiac biomarker. ...

Diagnosing congestive heart failure

Oh my, myopathy!?!

Your heart sinks when a veterinary patient comes into your clinic with signs that could be related to dilated cardiomyopathy. Here's how to confirm that is what you are dealing with and some breed-specific factors that may come in to play. ...

Performing a cardiovascular physical examination

We often underuse the auscultation and physical examination techniques our predecessors mastered to successfully evaluate the cardiovascular system. Instead, we lean on echocardiography to offset the subtle nuances we fail to recognize. ...

Back to basics: clinical cardiovascular exam and diagnostic testing (Proceedings)

Although there are highly sophisticated and advanced diagnostic modalities in cardiology, the basic technique of a good cardiovascular examination is still an essential fundamental element of the cardiovascular workup. Other basic diagnostic modalities that are readily available in most practices include thoracic radiographs, electrocardiography, and blood pressure measurement. ...

Management of acquired canine heart disease: part 1 & 2 (Proceedings)

Acquired heart diseases of dogs include chronic degenerative valvular diseases (endocardiosis), pericardial diseases, cardiac neoplasia, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), pulmonary hypertension (PH), infective endocarditis, and heart rhythm disturbances, some of which represent primary electrical disorders and others that develop secondary to cardiac remodeling. ...

Why three is better than two: An overview of three- vs. two-view thoracic radiographic studies

If you are only obtaining one lateral thoracic view during your radiographic examination, you could be missing important findings-and, thus, not helping patients to the best of your ability. ...

Skills Laboratory: How to determine and interpret the mean electrical axis

You can easily detect most arrhythmias on physical examination, but you'll need an electrocardiogram to identify an arrhythmia's exact nature. ...

Treating congestive heart failure

Pimobendan treatment in dogs with congestive heart failure

Editors' note: This article is an updated excerpt from "Pimobendan: Understanding its cardiac effects in dogs with myocardial disease," which appeared in Veterinary Medicine's October 2006 issue. ...

Emergency management of congestive heart failure

Patients with congestive heart failure are, unfortunately, common in small-animal practice. Some patients present with acute exacerbation of previously diagnosed and treated cardiac disease. Other animals may present with vague and nonspecific clinical signs and have no known history of cardiac problems. ...

CHF: What works and what doesn't? (Proceedings)

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is not a primary disease; rather it is the clinical manifestation of the failing heart and describes a syndrome characterized by complex interactions of the heart with neurohumoral compensatory responses. ...

Keys to managing end-stage heart failure

When managing chronic cough, it is important to grade the severity of the cough. ...

Cardiac therapy: New treatment modalities emerge

Dr. Bonnie K. Lefbom at the 2005 American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum in Baltimore gave a lecture on sildenafil and novel cardiovascular therapies. ...

Associated conditions

Take heart: Two new studies shed light on arterial thromboembolism

Human medicine serves as springboard for advancements in veterinary cardiology. ...

Pictorial evidence: Heartworm disease and its damage

Even if heartworm infection is treated, we all know it does serious, permanent damage to the body. This in-depth look at that damage will renew your commitment to consistent prevention recommendations for your veterinary patients. ...

Feline acromegaly: The keys to diagnosis

Drs. Wakayama and Bruyette offer a look at which diagnostic tests are most beneficial in detecting this often underdiagnosed condition. ...

Canine gum disease linked to heart problems

A Purdue study has shown a higher incidence of heart disease in dogs with bad gums. ...

Client education

How owners can help monitor heart disease in their pets

Tell owners to be on the lookout for this early indicator of worsening disease. ...

Educate clients about screening for heart problems

Breeds like King Charles Cavaliers are prone to heart problems. Use this form to inform pet owners about it. ...

Prep clients for long-term pet care

Be clear with clients about their pet's chronic disease management, right from the start. ...

Client handout: Pet wellness report card

Your clients might request additional services after viewing a handout like this. ...

Arming your team

Difficulties with Dobermans

Many people mistakenly think Doberman pinschers, which have stood alongside soldiers and police officers, aren't in need of attention and affection. But being misunderstood isn't the breed's only dilemma. Here are five common Doberman pinscher problems veterinarians should know. ...

Have a heart: Focus on veterinary cardiac medicine

Don't wait until it becomes a more serious problem. Start educating your clients about heart disease today. ...

Arrhythmias related to everyday emergencies

Technicians aren't all destined to be cardiologists. But all technicians should understand what a normal cardiac rhythm looks like and how it's generated. ...

6 ways to help cats this Heart Month

February is National Heart Month and a good time to save cats from cardiac disease. ...

Use equipment, testing to improve cardiology diagnostics at your practice

Tips for improving cardiology diagnostics at your veterinary practice. ...

Blood tests: 10 smart responses to clients' questions

Just whisper the word tests, and clients will flood you with questions: what, when, how much? Try these answers to get the OK. ...