CARDIO-RESPIRATORY
CARDIAC AND RESPIRATORY
Dogs with concurrent cardiac and respiratory conditions are frequently encountered. Careful interpretation of the clinical, radiographic, and electrocardiographic findings will generally point to the correct
diagnosis.
Measurement of the biomarker pro brain natriuretic
peptide (proBNP) serum concentrations may be useful to help confirm or exclude CHF; consideration
must be given to the fact that proBNP levels can be
elevated in renal dysfunction and in severe pulmonary
hypertension.
1. A reduction in the respiratory tract secretions, this is
counterproductive in the long term by increasing viscosity and hindering removal of the secretions and
mucus, with resultant `plugging` of the airways.
2. Upper airway obstructive conditions (eg collapsing
trachea and laryngeal paralysis) may produce noncardiac oedema that responds, and benefits from
short-term intermittent frusemide therapy.
REFERENCES - available on www.vet360.vetlink.co.za
CARDIOLOGY SERVICES
Cape Town
Veterinary Hospital Constantia. 021 794 1522
RUSSELL LEADSOM
[email protected]
083 218 6562
A trial dose of frusemide for 48 hours may help identify the cardiac patient, whereas prednisolone may alleviate the respiratory condition.
But confusion can occur when a respiratory patient
appears to improve on a diuretic; this may be attributed to
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ECG
Echocardiography
Doppler studies
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Blood pressure
ECG interpretation
& advice to colleagues
Fully mobile service & Alphen
Comments on the “Coughing Dog”
A J Carter, BVSc MMed Vet (Med) Small animals
Fourways Animal Hospital
[email protected]
011 705 3411
As noted in the article the differentiation between the
patient with mitral valve disease and congestive heart
failure and respiratory disease can be difficult. The
age old dogma that a cough and a murmur equals
congestive heart failure needs to be broken.
A first step is to look at the heart rate. As noted in
the article if the cough is due to respiratory disease
then the heart rate tends to be normal to reduced
which is the opposite to heart failure where it tends
to be increased. The age breed and body condition
also help to differentiate between the two conditions.
Once a clinical suspicion has been determined chest
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Issue 04 | JULY 2015 | 26
radiographs will help in identifying the underlying problem.
Use of the biomarker proBNP can help as a screening test to
include or exclude congestive heart failure.
As with any biochemical test it has to be rea