RE: Which test would you use first?

Dave Dickson — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 09:34:19 GMT

Hi Neil

I think this is a very good, but very difficult question to answer. As always, it depends on the exact question being asked. So you need to narrow down the phrase "cardiac disease" to be much more specific.

If the question is "is this apparently healthy large breed dog, with no outward clinical signs and a normal cardiovascular exam, likely to have DCM?" then I'd suggest start with a screening test like proBNP (plus troponin if a Dobie).

If the question is "does this small breed dog with a moderate left apical systolic murmur but no clinical signs need pimobendan?" then it needs an echo (ideally) or at least some good chest radiographs.

And so on...

Although echo is my favourite thing in the world (alright, it's a close-run thing between echo and my kids), it doesn't answer every question and it always first needs the history and clinical examination to guide.

Hope that helps

Dave

Which cardiac diagnostic test would you use first?

RE: Which test would you use first?