Clinicians at the Ontario Veterinary College are beginning a study to detect potential structural heart changes in cats who are 10 years of age or older.
The study will look at healthy cats who are 10 years of age or older with no history or clinical signs of heart disease.
Cats who are less than 10 years of age, have cardiac disease, or clinically relevant systemic disease which might affect cardiac function (eg. anemia, systemic hypertension, renal failure), or who might become very stressed during an echocardiographic examination are not eligible for the study.
A quiet heart murmur is not criteria for exclusion if it is not considered to be caused by cardiac disease.
Diagnostics: (performed at no charge to the owner)
- Examination by the cardiologist
- Echocardiography
- Blood sampling
Owners need to be aware that small areas of fur will be clipped for echocardiography and blood sampling and that a blood sample will be taken. They should be prepared to spend a minimum of 60 minutes at this appointment.
If cardiac disease is detected, treatment and further investigations of this will not be included and covered by the study.
If you have further questions or know an owner who is interested in participating, please contact Ananda Pires at cscardio@uoguelph.ca.
This study is supported by OVC Pet Trust.