This image is for illustrative purposes only . It does not feature the case study patient .
Nursing care of feline cardiomyopathy : A patient care assessment
DOI 10.56496 / MKBW5051
Emma Murphy , BA ( Hons ), RVN , VTS ( IM – Cardiology )
Sarah Smith Cardiology , Etwall , Derbyshire
ENVELOPE emurphyssc @ googlemail . com
Emma trained in a multidisciplinary referral hospital , where she developed an interest in cardiology . After qualifying , she worked full-time in cardiology , attaining the Veterinary Technician Specialty ( VTS ) in cardiology in 2021 . Emma currently works at Sarah Smith Cardiology Referrals in Derbyshire as the senior cardiology nurse . She is passionate about providing the best possible care to patients and homecare support to their owners .
ABSTRACT Feline heart failure may be caused by several forms of cardiomyopathy . Frequently , patients present as emergencies with little or no history of cardiac disease prior to the relatively sudden onset of dyspnoea or tachypnoea .
These patients require careful nursing care , monitoring and handling to achieve the best possible outcomes . This article reviews the diagnosis and nursing care of a domestic shorthair cat with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy presenting with congestive heart failure .
Keywords cardiomyopathy , feline , nursing , heart disease , cardiology
Introduction
Cardiomyopathies are the most common form of heart disease in cats , with around 15 % of the cat population reported to be affected [ 1 ] . Cardiovascular disease is among the top 10 causes of death in cats [ 2 ] .
This case report looks at a domestic shorthair cat with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ( HCM ) presenting with congestive heart failure ( CHF ). The pathophysiology , disease progression and prognosis are discussed , along with the diagnostic tests undertaken for this case and the nursing care provided – initially , during treatment and at discharge .
The diagnostics covered in this article include T-FAST , thoracocentesis , echocardiography , thoracic radiography , blood pressure ( BP ) measurement and laboratory work .
42 Veterinary Nursing Journal