Cardiology & Respiratory

Cardiovascular and Respiratory Disease in Veterinary Species

📅 10 weeks
4 units
📚 Body Systems

Lectures & Topics

Cardiovascular Disease in Small Animals

Overview of canine and feline cardiac pathophysiology, diagnostic approaches (ECG, ultrasound, troponin), and management of common conditions including dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and congenital heart disease.

Cardiovascular Disease in Large Animals

Equine and bovine cardiac disease recognition, cardiac arrhythmias in performance horses, myocarditis, pericarditis, and performance-limiting cardiovascular conditions.

Heart Failure & Compensatory Mechanisms

Pathophysiology of systolic and diastolic heart failure, neurohormonal compensation (RAAS, SNS), acute decompensation, pulmonary edema management, and species-specific heart failure presentations.

Cardiac Arrhythmias

ECG interpretation, arrhythmia classification (supraventricular, ventricular), electrolyte disturbances, antiarrhythmic pharmacology, and when intervention is warranted.

Respiratory Disease in Small Animals

Upper and lower airway disease, pneumonia (bacterial, viral, aspergillosis), pleural effusion, pneumothorax, pulmonary edema, and chronic obstructive airway disease in cats.

Respiratory Disease in Large Animals

Heaves (RAO) in horses, recurrent airway obstruction, pneumonia in cattle, shipping fever, pleuritis, and performance-limiting respiratory conditions.

NAVLE-Style Quizzes

Flashcards

Clinical Case Prep

Case 1: Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy with Pulmonary Edema

5-year-old Golden Retriever presents with acute dyspnea, orthopnea, and crackles on auscultation. Echocardiography shows severely dilated left ventricle with reduced fractional shortening. BNP elevated. Discuss diagnostic approach, acute management with diuretics/ACE inhibitors, and long-term cardioprotective therapy.

Case 2: Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy with Arrhythmia

8-year-old cat presents with syncope. ECG shows atrial fibrillation. Echocardiography shows left ventricular hypertrophy and left atrial enlargement. Discuss beta-blocker vs. calcium channel blocker selection, anticoagulation considerations, and rate control strategies.

Case 3: Equine Pneumonia Post-Transport

3-year-old horse presents 5 days after transport with fever (103.5F), nasal discharge, and crackles on thoracic auscultation. Bronchoalveolar lavage shows neutrophilia. Discuss shipping fever pneumonia pathophysiology, empiric antibiotic selection, and performance prognosis.

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