Skip to content
Home » Blog » Top 10 Small Animal Cardiology Conditions for NAVLE: Insights and Management (Part 2)

Top 10 Small Animal Cardiology Conditions for NAVLE: Insights and Management (Part 2)

  • by

Top 10 Small Animal Cardiology Conditions: A NAVLE Study Guide (Part 2)

Introduction

Continuing our exploration of small animal cardiology, this guide covers essential cardiac conditions, diagnostic strategies, and treatment options to help veterinary professionals excel in the NAVLE. Understanding these complex conditions is crucial for effective diagnosis and management in clinical practice.

4. Pulmonary Hypertension

Classic Case:
Common in middle-aged to older dogs, symptoms include cough, respiratory distress, exercise intolerance, syncope, and ascites. Cardiac auscultation may reveal normal findings or murmurs, split second heart sounds, and pulmonary crackles.

Diagnosis:

  • Etiologies: May include mitral valve regurgitation, chronic hypoxia, and heartworm disease.
  • Thoracic Radiography: Shows cardiomegaly, pulmonary artery dilation, tortuous pulmonary arteries, and dilated caudal vena cava.
  • Echocardiography: Indicates right ventricular hypertrophy, high velocity tricuspid valve regurgitation, and flattened interventricular septum.

Treatment:

  • Address underlying disease when possible.
  • Oxygen therapy for acute cases.
  • Medications: Pimobendan (inodilator) and Sildenafil (phosphodiesterase inhibitor).

Pearls:
The prognosis ranges from guarded to poor, depending on the effectiveness of treatment for the underlying cause and response to specific therapy for pulmonary hypertension.

5. Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

Classic Case:
Symptoms include cough, exercise intolerance, breathing difficulties, orthopnea, ascites, and harsh lung sounds. Cats may present with paraparesis and cold pelvic limbs if a saddle thrombus occurs.

Diagnosis:

  • Etiologies: Reduced myocardial contractility, valvular regurgitation, and marked diastolic dysfunction.
  • Thoracic Radiography: Shows heart enlargement and dilated pulmonary veins.
  • Echocardiography: Reveals left atrial and ventricular enlargement, valvular insufficiency, and decreased diastolic function in cats.

Treatment:

  • Acute Management: Diuretics (parenteral furosemide), oxygen therapy, pimobendan, and stress reduction.
  • Chronic Management: Oral diuretics, ACE inhibitors, lower salt diet, and exercise restriction.

Pearls:
Initial recovery prognosis is guarded to good, but long-term prognosis depends on the underlying disease process.

6. Myxomatous Mitral Valve Degeneration (MMVD)

Classic Case:
Affects breeds like Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Dachshund, and Yorkshire Terrier. Symptoms include exercise intolerance, cough, and a left-sided apical murmur.

Diagnosis:

  • Thoracic Radiography: May show left atrial dilation and increased vertebral heart score.
  • Echocardiography: Detects mitral valve regurgitation and thickening, with possible left atrial dilation.

Treatment:

  • Before CHF Onset: Pimobendan and possibly ACE inhibitors.
  • After CHF Onset: Diuretics, ACE inhibitors, pimobendan, exercise restriction, and weight loss.

Pearls:
Prognosis is guarded to good before CHF onset, but life expectancy averages around a year after CHF develops.

7. Top 3 Arrhythmias (Atrial Fibrillation, Ventricular Premature Complexes, Ventricular Tachycardia)

Classic Case:
Arrhythmias present with exercise intolerance, syncope, weakness, and pulse deficits. Atrial fibrillation is common in large breeds, while ventricular arrhythmias can occur with various underlying conditions.

Diagnosis:

  • ECG: Identifies rapid heart rate, absence of P waves in A-fib, and wide QRS complexes in VPCs.
  • Holter Monitor: Assesses frequency and severity over 24 hours.
  • Echocardiography and Abdominal Imaging: To identify underlying causes.

Treatment:

  • Atrial Fibrillation: Amiodarone, digoxin, and diltiazem for rate control.
  • Ventricular Arrhythmias: Sotalol and mexilitine; emergency management with lidocaine.

Pearls:
Prognosis varies with arrhythmia type and underlying cause, with V-tach potentially leading to ventricular fibrillation and death.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *