News You Can Use – Possible DCM from Kangaroo/Lentil Diets While data so far is small and anecdotal, several cardiologists in the US have reported Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs eating Kangaroo and Lentil based diets and possibly lentil/rice diets. This has been seen more in Cocker Spaniels, a breed known to be prone to … Read moreVolume 19
Case Study – Collaboration and Early Detection In May 2017, we diagnosed an 8-year-old female Poodle mix with mild Degenerative Atrioventricular Valve Disease (DAVD). As she had no chamber enlargement, normal lungs, mild regurgitation, and a normal proBNP, no treatment was recommended at that time. As with most stable DAVD cases, it was recommended to … Read moreVolume 18
News You Can Use – Collaboration Works! In a study published in the JAVMA July 1, 2016 pp72-76 it was shown that dogs with Congestive Heart Failure secondary to Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease live 74% longer when their treatment is managed collaboratively by their primary care veterinarian (pcDVM) and a board-certified cardiologist, rather than by the pcDVM … Read moreVolume 17
News You Can Use – Pimobendan in cats? Thus far, the positive inotropic and vasodilator pimobendan (Vetmedin) has been marketed and labeled for use in canine patients with advanced degenerative valve disease and dilated cardiomyopathy. Nevertheless, there is increasing information that pimobendan may have benefit in some feline patients with cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure … Read moreVolume 16
News You Can Use – “New Hope for an Old Disease” Chronic degenerative valve disease (CDVD, also called endocardiosis or myxomatous valve disease) is the most common cardiovascular disease in small animals, accounting for approximately 75% of all canine heart disease encountered in veterinary practice. The incidence of CDVD significantly increases with age, with approximately … Read moreVolume 15
News You Can Use – “DCM: A Silent Killer” Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a devastating disorder in veterinary patients, with large and giant breed dogs such as the Doberman Pinscher, Boxer, Golden Retriever, and Great Dane most commonly affected. In Dobermans specifically, a previous veterinary study identified a cumulative prevalence of approximately 60%. Of these … Read moreVolume 14
News You Can Use – “…It’s in the Genes” More recently, the genetics of veterinary cardiac diseases have been much more extensively evaluated. In particular, research has been focused on identifying genetic markers of acquired (adult-onset) disease in an attempt to identify affected and carrier patients prior to breeding age. This has been pioneered by … Read moreVolume 13
News You Can Use – Collaboration Works! In a study published in the JAVMA July 1, 2016 pp72-76 it was shown that dogs with Congestive Heart Failure secondary to Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease live 74% longer when their treatment is managed collaboratively by their primary care veterinarian (pcDVM) and a board-certified cardiologist, rather than by … Read moreVolume 12
News You Can Use – Feline Arterial Thromboembolism (FATE) Feline Arterial Thromboembolism (FATE) can be devastating in cats with Cardiomyopathy. Often, they are euthanized on presentation due to poor prognosis and severe pain. However, when given good pain management and supportive treatment, many will improve and become non-painful in a few days. On admit, FATE … Read moreVolume 11
News You Can Use – Knowing the Breed is Half the Battle In veterinary cardiology, knowing the breed of a pet with a cardiac abnormality can often give you the diagnosis. For example: if you see one premature ventricular contraction (PVC) on an ECG of a Doberman and you guess that the dog has Occult … Read moreVolume 10
