Vet Judy

Have you heard of NT-ProBNP testing? Should you or your veterinarian be asking for this test?

There is a relatively new technology available for using a blood test for detection of feline heart disease. The good news is that this blood test is very good at detecting important cat heart disease.

Here are some easy to follow guidelines on when to test, what the results mean to your cats health, and what to do next?

CAT TESTING ADVISED if your cat falls into any of these categories:

WHAT ABOUT THE RESULTS?

Important Things To Note About Cats and Heart Disease:

1)      They rarely cough when suffering from heart disease. Usually they present to the veterinarian with sudden onset of rapid, shallow, or strained breathing.

2)      They can have significant heart disease without a heart murmur that can be heard with a stethoscope

3)      They may present for conditions like hind limb paralysis, sudden onset blindness, or mental distress when they have heart disease.

Please note: This information is not meant to be a substitute for good veterinary advice. There are often a host of factors involved in deciding the correct choices for your cat’s health care. Please follow the advice of a veterinarian that you trust with your cat. They are in the best position to advise you.