DCM in cat

Re: DCM in cat

Rajat — Mon, 11 May 2009 23:34:20 GMT

Posted too quickly and missed the bit about the scan!

I wouldn't bother with Xrays especially if the cat isn't on frusemide. I'd vote for scan +/- BNP. if looks normal or near normal then I'd gradually withdraw Vetmedin and do serial echos every month for the first 2-3 months then every two months for a year. And taurine :)

Re: DCM in cat

Rajat — Mon, 11 May 2009 23:30:54 GMT

Hi Garry

I'd second the vote for taurine esp if it is on a home cooked diet... and do you have ultrasound at your practice? If so a basic scan could tell you about contractility and dilatation and can be used periodically. if not gradual withdrawal of vetmedin over a few weeks would be reasonable following normal blood tests. BNP would be useful especially if there's no ultrasound available.

Keep us posted as to what happens!

Cheers

Raj.

Re: DCM in cat

james hunt — Sat, 09 May 2009 21:37:23 GMT

Hi Garry,

I too am no cardiologist and Evelyn's suggestions seem a logical way to approach the problem.

My guess would be that there was subclinical cardiac disease prior to anaesthesia and the combination of anaesthetic drugs and/or stress of surgery precipitated development of clinical signs.

I found the following abstract but don't have access to full article

http://www.jaaha.org/cgi/content/abstract/32/1/57

Did you check taurine?

Re: DCM in cat

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Sat, 09 May 2009 19:56:15 GMT

What anaesthetic protocol did you use? Sorry, Garry, that wasn't fair but I couldn't resist it.

I am not a cardiologist but looking at the thing logically I would reason thus:

1. Obviously it would be good to cease the medication if it's not necessary.

2. You are able to do radiographs and blood tests. They might show that a problem still exists. Then you know you need continuing medication.

3. Your tests might reveal no problem. That might mean there is no problem, or it might mean there is a problem that they can't detect. Either way, you will only find out by stopping the medication.

So, not being a cardiologist, the answer seems to me to be: if your clinical exam reveals no abnormality, get your radigraphs and blood tests done. If they are completely normal, try withdrawing the drug. Re-examine at frequent intervals at first of course.

Oh yes, discuss it all with the owner first of course. But I guess you've done that.