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You are currently examining Reggie
How would you like to investigate Reggie’s
symptoms?
symptoms?
This is the best choice
A chest X-ray will allow you to assess the size and shape of the cardiac silhouette, the pulmonary blood vessels and see any fluid build-up in the lungs.
A chest X-ray should be completed, following a complete physical examination, to assess Reggie’s heart, his lungs and the pulmonary vessels.
Learn how to position a dog with MVD for a chest X-ray to ensure diagnostic quality X-rays are achieved
Chris Warren-Smith
- Interim Chief Executive Officer, Langford Vets, University of Bristol
- RCVS and European Specialist in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging
How would you like to investigate Reggie’s
symptoms?
symptoms?
This is a valid choice
However, this may not be the best choice for Reggie.
Reggie has a systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg.
This slightly high reading could be explained by his apparent anxiety and possible sympathetically driven congestive heart failure, but cannot be used to confirm a diagnosis.
How would you like to investigate Reggie’s
symptoms?
symptoms?
This is a valid choice
However, this may not be the best choice for Reggie.
A cardiac ultrasound is useful to confirm MVD, measure chamber size and identify any co-morbidities although it is not the best choice to definitively diagnose CHF.
How would you like to investigate Reggie’s
symptoms?
symptoms?
This is a valid choice
However, this may not be the best choice for Reggie.
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is not a priority for Reggie since no arrythmias were detected on auscultation.
Reggie’s ECG shows a loss of sinus arrhythmia as detected during your clinical exam. This finding adds weight to the fact that he is likely to be in CHF but it cannot diagnose CHF.
How would you like to investigate Reggie’s
symptoms?
symptoms?
This is a valid choice
However, this may not be the best choice for Reggie.
If Mrs Richardson refuses to go ahead with further investigation, a furosemide treatment trial could be initiated, providing Reggie is well in himself. A follow-up appointment should be arranged 7 days after the start of treatment, if there has been no response, Reggie will need an X-ray.
Reggie’s kidneys should be checked before prescribing and, once on the medication, Mrs Richardson must monitor Reggie’s RRR daily and come back if it fluctuates.
How would you like to investigate Reggie’s
symptoms?
symptoms?
This is a valid choice
However, this may not be the best choice for Reggie.
Establishing baseline blood levels is useful prior to initiating treatment, but cannot reliably confirm a diagnosis of CHF. Raised N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) can help determine whether symptoms are a result of cardiac rather than pulmonary disease, but it cannot be used to provide a definitive or rapid diagnosis.1
How would you like to investigate Reggie’s
symptoms?
symptoms?
Incorrect
This may not be the best choice for Reggie.
The worsening of Reggie’s mitral valve murmur and increase in HR and RRR may indicate development of CHF.
Further investigation into his condition should be carried out.