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Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the most common cardiomyopathy in dogs.

The disease results in an enlarged (dilated) heart due to heart muscle thinning and weakening, eventually leading to systolic dysfunction and congestive heart failure (CHF).

In cats with proper taurine levels, the disease is now very rare.

Common dog breeds affected include Dobermans, Boxers, Great Danes, Newfoundlands, Irish Wolfhounds, and Saint Bernards.

There is also a form of this disease linked to grain-free diets in dogs, with atypical breeds represented. Please use caution when feeding grain-free diets, and consult your veterinarian on nutrition recommendations.

Hereditary disease forms unfortunately have a poor prognosis since the primary disease state can’t be fixed. Nutritional-related disease forms carry a better prognosis, and can often be reversed with proper identification and treatment.

#veterinarymedicine #cityvet #dilatedcardiomyopathy #dogsofinstagram #cats_of_instagram

April is National Heartworm Awareness Month!

Heartworms are parasitic worms 🪱, spread by mosquitoes 🦟 , that can infect dogs 🐕 and cats 🐈and live in blood vessels in their heart🫀and lungs 🫁. Advanced infestations can cause serious cardiovascular or respiratory disease, and can cause permanent organ damage and even death.

5 things for pet owners to know about heartworm prevention:

1. Cats 🐈 can get heartworms too!
2. Dogs 🐕 can be exposed to heartworms year-round and indoors
3. Standard screening tests have a 6 month lag between exposure and a detectable infestation
4. Prevention is the easiest treatment
5. Prevention is the safest treatment

#cityvet #dogsofinstagram #cats_of_instagram #veterinarymedicine heartwormawarenessmonth

Continuing our series on the heart, today’s focus is HCM – hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This is the most prevalent cardiac disease in cats!

The hallmark of this disease is thickened muscle in the left ventricle, which can lead to reduced chamber size and diastolic dysfunction, dynamic outflow tract obstruction and systolic dysfunction, and ultimately left atrial enlargement resulting in congestive heart failure or thromboembolism.

Many cases remain subclinical, however some cases have no warning signs before onset of severe adverse events!

Proper screening can help diagnose and manage the disease, and avoid risks such as anesthesia, IV fluid overload, and steroids.

After ruling out hyperthyroidism and hypertension, treatment considerations include:
1. Atenolol – a beta blocker used for rate control when outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO / HOCM) is present
2. Clopidogrel – an anti-platelet medication used to prevent clots, usually when left atrial enlargement is present
3. Felycin (sirolimus) – a new therapy approved for sub clinical HCM, shown to improve thickening of the left ventricular muscle
4. Diuretics and other interventions as needed for the complication of congestive heart failure

#cityvet #cityvetpets #cats_of_instagram #veterinarymedicine

Today we’re covering all the ways we assess cardiovascular function. A full evaluation is much more than the initial physical exam:

1. Full physical exam, including heart auscultation of murmurs and rhythm disturbances, lung auscultation, pulse and perfusion assessment, and basic vitals.
2. Radiograph imaging to assess cardiac size and related lung pathology
3. Echocardiogram to assess cardiac structures and function
4. Systemic blood pressure screening, evaluating for hyper- or hypotension
5. ECG/EKG, evaluating electrical rhythm of the heart
6. NT-proBNP screening, indicating cardiac muscle stress

#cityvet #cityvetpets #dogsofinstagram #catsofinstagram #veterinarymedicine

Welcome back to Ask the Vet!

Over the next month, we’re highlighting the cardiovascular system! 🫀 🐕 🐈‍⬛

Today we’re covering an overview of the components of the cardiovascular system and its basic functions.

Next time, we’ll chat about diagnostic examination of cardiovascular function, followed by a focus on common disease processes.

#cityvet #dogsofinstagram #catsofinstagram #veterinarymedicine #tuckerga