Chylothorax is the abnormal accumulation of lymphatic fluid rich in fats (triglycerides) within the chest cavity. This fluid may build up to the extent that patients have difficulty expanding their lungs, resulting in difficult or labored breathing. Chylothorax may develop as primary problem and have no obvious underlying cause. This is referred to as idiopathic chylothorax. […]
What is a cardiac clearance? A cardiac clearance is a physical examination performed by a licensed veterinarian (DVM – Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, VMD – Veterinary Medical Doctor) who determines that the physical examination is within normal limits. Many different types of clearances exist, including orthopedic (i.e. to rule-out hip dysplasia), ophthalmologic (i.e. to rule-out […]
Cardiac drugs are used in patients at high risk for or suffering from congestive heart failure. Different types of drugs may be used in any given patient for a variety of reasons. The main classes of drugs include diuretics, antihypertensives, positive inotropics/inodilators, antithrombotics and antiarrhythmics. Supplements are occasionally advocated for use in patients with heart […]
Many small-breed dogs suffer from collapsing trachea. This is a condition in which the supporting cartilage rings for the windpipe are unable to maintain their shape, resulting in narrowing of the airway. This typically leads to chronic coughing, which is often characterized as having a honking sound (goose-honking). Severely affected patients may have marked difficulty […]
Chronic mitral valvular disease (CMVDz) is by far the most common acquired heart disease seen in dogs. This condition is also known by a number of different names, which occasionally leads to confusion for the average pet owner. Chronic valvular disease may also be known as myxomatous valvular degeneration (MVD or MMVD for myxomatous mitral valvular degeneration), […]
Many different types of drugs may be used in dogs and cats suffering from bronchitis and/or pneumonia. Generally four types of drugs are most commonly used, and include antibiotics (antimicrobials), corticosteroids, bronchodilators and antitussives. Depending on the problems, different drugs in different combinations may be prescribed. ANTIBIOTICS: Antibiotics (antimicrobials) are drugs that are used in […]
What is an arrhythmia? An arrhythmia is a disturbance in the electrical activity of the heart. Dogs and cats may have arrhythmias secondary to underlying cardiac disease or from non-cardiac causes. Careful assessment of the heart by the veterinarian is necessary to determine any potential causes and blood tests, radiographs (x-rays), electrocardiography (EKG/ECG), Holter monitoring […]
Cardiomyopathy in cats comprises an incompletely understood group of diseases. The term cardiomyopathy means heart muscle disease, and encompasses multiple different types. The most common and extensively studied kind that is diagnosed in cats is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and is not the focus of this discussion. The other cardiomyopathies include dilated cardiomyopathy, restrictive cardiomyopathy, and unclassified or […]
