Dog Health Care: Canine Heart Disease Testing
Monday, May 25th, 2009
Have you heard of NT-ProBNP testing? Should you or your veterinarian be asking for this test?
There is a relatively new technology available that uses a blood test for canine heart disease. The good news is that this blood test is very good at detecting important canine heart disease. There are a lot of canine heart diseases that remain undetected because there are no symptoms until the disease is advanced and they go into heart failure. This is especially true of the large breed dogs.
Here are some easy to follow guidelines on when to test, what the results mean to your dogs health, and what to do next?
DOG TESTING ADVISED if your dog falls into any of these categories:
|
High Incidence Breeds
Cocker Spaniel King Charles Boxer Doberman Rottweiler Old English Dalmation Afghan Great Dane Miniature Schnauzer Chihuahua Lhasa Apso, Min &Toy Poodles Yorkshire Terrier
|
Heart Sounds
Heart Murmur
Abnormal Beat |
Symptoms
Fatigue Coughing Exercise Intolerance Restlessness Breathing Trouble |
WHAT ABOUT THE RESULTS?
|
Value |
Is Clinically Significant Heart Disease Present |
What do I do Next? |
Extra’s |
|
< 500 |
No |
Recheck at interval recommend by Vet |
|
|
500-1100 |
Maybe |
If has symptoms recommend: radiography, ultrasound |
+/- EKG +/- Heart worm Test +/- Other Lab Work Follow Vet Recommendations |
|
1100-1725 |
Yes |
Ultrasound and radiography |
Same as Above
|
|
1725 |
Yes and Heart Failure is Likely |
ASAP: Ultrasound and Chest Radiography |
Same as Above But ASAP
|
Please remember this information here is for your education only. If the information present here conflicts in any way with the advice of a veterinarian you trust, please follow their advice. They have the privilege of knowing your dog and your dogs health problems.
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