Indication and Physical Examination of Cardiac

Diseases
(Unit-2)

Dr. Pallav Shekhar

Asstt. Professor
Veterinary Medicine, BVC
Introduction
Basic anatomy
Special Examination
 History
 Age: Young and Old

 Breed: Congenital heart defects more common in specific breeds

 Large breed dog: More prone for dilated Cardiomyopathy

 Small breeds of dogs are susceptible to mitral regurgitation

 Siamese cats are prone to cardiomyopathy

 Weight: Pickwickian syndrome???

 History?

 Helps to differentiate cardiac and respiratory problems

 Exercise intolerance

 Nature of coughing.
 Dyspnoea
 Indication of Cardiac Disease

 Exercise intolerance, weakness, lethargy

 Cough, retch (or vomit)

 Faint/syncope

 Breathing difficulties, stridor

 Swollen abdomen

 Cyanosis

 Stunted/poor growth or weight loss

 Cont..

 Cyanotic mucous membranes may be due to decreased

oxyhaemoglobin, e.g. severe respiratory tract disease or a
right to left shunting congenital cardiac defect.

 A sluggish capillary refill time may indicate reduced

cardiac output, i.e. forward failure.
 Cont..

 The jugular veins should be inspected and the neck will usually
need to be clipped for adequate visualisation.
Distension/pulsation is associated with right-sided congestive
heart failure (CHF).

 Distended jugular veins in a dog with ascites will almost

certainly mean the cause is cardiac in origin.
 Cont..

 The pulse usually reflects left ventricular stroke volume

and contractility.

 A very weak pulse is found in dilated cardiomyopathy, but

not necessarily so with mitral valve disease.
Physical Examination

 Posture

 Rate and rhythm of respiration

 Dependent Ventral edema

Cardiac Examination

 Examination of Head
 Examination of Neck
 Palpation
 Percussion
 Auscultation
 Palpation
 PMI: Left Side between 4th and 6th Intercostal spaces.
 Shifting of PMI
 Decrease Intensity
 Thrills (Large Cardiac murmur)
 Check for ascites
 Check for hepatomegaly splenomegaly
 Skin for anasarca
 Femoral pulse: Rate and Rhythm
 Pulse

 Pulse for every heart beat

 Pulse deficits: Arrhythmias indicating incomplete ventricular filling

 Weak pulse

 Water hammer pulse

Percussion

 Elicits a hollow sound over

the lungs

 Elicits a dull sound over

solid structures
Auscultation P= Pulmonic area

A= Aortic area
 Most Helpful
 Animal should be standing position M= Mitral area

T=Tricuspid area
 Area of Auscultation
Area Equines Ruminants
Base From 2nd to 6th intercostal From 3rd to 6th rib
space

Apex Half an inch from the One inch from the

last sternal segment diaphragm

Posterior border Opposite to the 6th rib Opposite to the 5th rib

Left surface Composed of left Extends from 3rd to 4th

ventricle and extends rib
from 3rd to 6th rib

Right surface Extends from 3rd to 4th Not examined

rib
VERTEBRAL HEART SCORE TEST
The average VHS in the dog is 9.7v( 8.5-10.5v)
THANK YOU