All Cats Considered – Episode 304
In this episode of “All Cats Considered,” Michelle Meyer, DVM, a general practitioner and past president of the FelineVMA, joins Luca Ferasin, DVM, PhD, CertVC, PGCert(HE), DipECVIM-CA (Cardiology), GPCert(B&PS), FRCVS to discuss practical approaches to feline cardiac care. Dr. Ferasin delves into the world of heart murmurs, relaying that while echocardiograms are ideal for all cats with murmurs, financial constraints often necessitate alternative strategies. He highlights the utility of NT-proBNP testing as a valuable initial step to assess the likelihood of significant cardiac issues and touches upon the challenges of diagnosing silent cardiac conditions in cats and the potential benefits of annual NT-proBNP screening.
Further into the discussion, Dr. Ferasin addresses the management of cats in congestive heart failure, including the novel use of injectable furosemide for patients who no longer respond to oral medications. He stresses the importance of home monitoring, particularly tracking sleeping respiratory rates, as a cost-effective way for owners to help manage their cat’s condition. The conversation also talks about Cat Friendly handling approaches to employ during the veterinary visit which help minimize the stress for cats with decompensated heart failure. Finally, they touch upon innocent heart murmurs in kittens, what steps general practitioners can take for cats in respiratory distress, and the complexities of classifying feline cardiomyopathies, ultimately recommending a descriptive approach based on echocardiographic findings.