Feline Heart Health Certificate

This module provides a comprehensive review of feline cardiac anatomy and physiology that will be relevant to understanding disease processes, diagnosis, and treatment for clinical decision making. Participants will be able to describe the normal anatomy of the feline heart and revisit cardiac electrophysiology, with an emphasis on conduction pathways and arrhythmogenesis. Discussion will include cardiac embryology, focusing on the structures that are relevant to common congenital defects. It will review physiologic drivers of cardiac output, including preload, afterload, contractility, and heart rate — as well as the neurohormonal systems that modulate them. Participants will review the definition of heart failure and its classifications, as well as connect structural or functional heart disease to some of the clinical complications we see in cats such as arrhythmias and cardiogenic arterial thromboembolism. By the end of the module, participants will have reviewed the essential groundwork needed before the more advanced diagnostic and therapeutic topics are covered in rest of the modules.

This module guides participants in mastering the core skills required to perform a comprehensive cardiovascular physical examination in feline patients. It begins with recommendations for obtaining a thorough and clinically relevant patient history, along with key observational assessments to complete before any hands‑on evaluation. The module then covers the detailed physical examination for the feline patient with a particular emphasis on cardiac and respiratory auscultation, chest palpation, and thoracic percussion. By the conclusion of this module, attendees will be equipped with practical, step-by-step methods to evaluate feline cardiovascular health.

This module provides a structured exploration of feline cardiomyopathies, beginning with a clear distinction between cardiomyopathy and conditions that can mimic its clinical presentation. Participants will examine the relative prevalence of cardiomyopathy versus congenital heart disease in cats, with particular attention to prevalence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Building on this foundation, the module reviews the ACVIM consensus staging system for cardiomyopathies, outlining how standardized staging supports clinical decision‑making. Discussion then expands to key elements of signalment, risk factors, historical indicators, and physical examination findings that may raise suspicion for underlying cardiac disease. Finally, the module provides practical guidance on recommended approaches for screening, diagnosing, and staging cardiomyopathy.

This module will review the utility and limitations of various non-echocardiographic tests for feline heart disease. By the end of this module, participants should be able to interpret cardiac biomarkers, including NT-proBNP and cardiac troponin-I results, to answer clinical questions and monitor disease progression. Participants will learn to perform and read an ECG using Cat Friendly techniques to detect rhythm or conduction abnormalities that may require intervention. This module will review the acquisition and evaluation of thoracic radiographs performed with minimal stress to the cat, focusing on assessment of heart size, detection of cardiogenic pulmonary edema, recognition of cardiomegaly and heart‑failure patterns, and the limitations of this imaging modality. Participants will also review how to measure systemic blood pressure and conduct retinal examinations to connect findings with hypertension. Additionally, participants will learn to apply breed-specific genetic tests to refine HCM risk assessments and guide breeding decisions.

This module will help learners identify when thoracic point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is indicated in feline patients and explore technical considerations such as equipment setup, probe selection, and image optimization. Participants will learn how to obtain two essential cardiac views — the right parasternal short-axis at the level of the left ventricle (the “mushroom view”) and the short-axis view at the heart base showing the left atrium to aortic root ratio (LA:Ao). The module will discuss how to distinguish normal from abnormal findings such as left ventricular hypertrophy and left atrial dilation, and recognize cavitary effusions and B-lines. Participants will learn to interpret POCUS results in clinical context to determine whether a dyspneic cat is in congestive heart failure, and whether a high-risk asymptomatic cat has clinically significant heart disease.

This module provides a comprehensive overview of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in cats. Participants will learn to describe the pathophysiology and the diagnostic criteria for HCM, review its prevalence and at-risk populations, and recall the clinical staging of HCM. The module covers the diagnostic tests used in practice to diagnose subclinical HCM, discusses their relative value or utility, and compares and contrasts HCM with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). Evidence-based therapeutic options for cats diagnosed with HCM will be discussed, along with possible outcomes of HCM and the development of strategies for reevaluating cats in stages B1 and B2. By the conclusion of the module, participants will have a framework for diagnosing, managing, and monitoring cats with HCM.

This module examines the broader spectrum of feline cardiomyopathies beyond hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM), which were introduced in Module 6. This module will enhance the learners understanding of the phenotypic characteristics of other cardiomyopathies, including dilated cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, restrictive cardiomyopathy, nonspecific cardiomyopathy, and transient myocardial thickening. Participants will review the underlying etiologies and pathophysiology of these conditions and gain an overview of treatment strategies, with emphasis on how they differ from those used in HCM. The module will emphasize the importance of ruling out phenocopies and address some of the challenges associated with staging these “other” cardiomyopathies.

This module provides a thorough understanding of congestive heart failure (CHF) in cats, from its development and progression to practical management strategies. Participants will learn to distinguish heart failure from CHF, compare acute and chronic presentations, and identify diagnostic approaches both clinically and through diagnostic testing. The discussion includes evidence-based treatment strategies for each stage, with emphasis on the transition strategy from acute to chronic management, planning effective follow-up care and re-evaluation, and identifying what to monitor during treatment. Additionally, the module will cover factors that influence prognosis, strategies for managing refractory congestive heart failure, and when antiarrhythmic therapy may be needed.

This module addresses the critical aspects of cardiogenic arterial thromboembolism (CATE) in cats, from pathophysiology to prevention. Participants will learn to recognize key clinical signs and confirm diagnosis with appropriate testing, followed by protocols for emergency stabilization, pain management, and initial treatment. The discussion includes a comparison of antithrombotic drug classes and interpretation of evidence from major studies, as well as strategies for identifying and managing complications such as reperfusion injury and hyperkalemia. Finally, participants will explore prevention approaches to reduce recurrence risk. By the end of the module, participants will be prepared to diagnose, treat, and manage CATE in feline patients.

This module focuses on developing a plan to reduce distress in our feline patients with cardiac disease, in order to deliver safe and effective veterinary care. Discussion will compare and contrast options for sedation and/or anesthesia depending on the needs of the patient, keeping the potential for cardiac disease in mind. The module will briefly review the use of fluid therapy in cats, particularly those with possible cardiac disease. Participants will also review ways to create a Cat Friendly environment and reduce fear-anxiety and distress during the visit, which is of utmost importance for cats with cardiac disease. Finally, the module will review mechanisms to ease the administration of cardiac medications to cats.

This module will review six cases designed to reinforce practical decision-making with feline heart disease. As participants progress through these cases, they will learn to identify key clinical findings that distinguish cardiac from non-cardiac causes of disease, differentiate acute versus chronic presentations, and interpret diagnostic results such as with thoracic point-of-care ultrasound, cardiac biomarkers, and electrocardiography. Participants will also practice prioritizing stabilization and diagnostic steps in unstable patients, and applying case-specific management strategies for conditions including congestive heart failure, cardiogenic arterial thromboembolism, transient myocardial thickening, physiologic murmurs, and clinically significant arrhythmias. By the end of this module, participants should be able to integrate these skills into real-world clinical decision-making.

This module focuses on strengthening communication skills for discussing feline cardiac health and cardiac diagnoses with cat caregivers. Participants will learn strategies for effectively addressing caregiver questions and concerns, ensuring that information is conveyed clearly, compassionately, and with appropriate context. The module also provides practical guidance for advising caregivers on at‑home monitoring and care for cats with cardiac disease. Finally, we will highlight the value of a collaborative, team‑based approach to feline cardiovascular care, emphasizing how coordinated communication among veterinary professionals supports better outcomes for patients and caregivers.