Approach to the Patient with Suspected Cardiovascular Disease

Suspicion of cardiac disease in dogs and cats may arise due to information obtained from owner complaints and/or physical findings. The approach to the patient with suspected feline and canine cardiovascular disease is to obtain as much information as possible in order to make a correct diagnosis. This chapter discusses signalment, case history and owner complaints, and physical examination of suspected cardiovascular diseases in dogs and cats. Common owner complaints for a pet with heart disease include increased respiratory rate (tachypnea), difficulty of breathing and changed respiratory pattern (dyspnea), coughing (unusual in cats), abdominal distension (ascites), fainting (syncope), tongue and mucous membrane cyanosis, weight loss, and weakness and exercise intolerance. The examination includes general inspection and observation, and a thorough physical examination to identify abnormalities in other organ systems. Cardiac auscultation is an important component of the physical examination in dogs and cats with suspected cardiac disease.