USEFUL LINKS

Thoracic radiographs

Thoracic radiographs provide information about heart size, status of pulmonary vasculature, and changes in the lungs to help differentiate left-sided congestive heart failure (CHF) from primary pulmonary disease.¹

Evaluating the size and shape of the heart silhouette on radiographs is a key step in diagnosing and assessing severity of cardiac disease in dogs.² Radiographic results should be used along with clinical signs and physical exam to determine if CHF treatment is indicated.²

How to calculate Vertebral Heart Score (VHS)

Calculating a VHS for dogs from radiographic silhouettes can help veterinarians make cardiac assessments.²

Download several easy-to-follow tools showing how to use calipers to measure rib distance on x-rays to gauge the degree of CHF and heart enlargement:

How to Calculate a Vertebral Heart Score (VHS)

Click above to watch a brief video demonstrating how to measure VHS.

References:

1. Beardow AW. Veterinary cardiology diagnostics: assessing cardiac health in the 21st century. DX Consult. 2008;2(1):12–15. Available at: http:// www.idexx.com/pubwebresources/pdf/en_us/smallanimal/education/dx- consult/assess-cardiac-health-in-21st-century.pdf. Accessed January 30, 2011. 2. Lamb CR, Wikeley H, Boswood A, Pfeiffer DU. Use of breed-specific ranges for the vertebral heart scale as an aid to the radiographic diagnosis of cardiac disease in dogs. Vet Rec. 2001;148(23):707–711.

Important safety information

VETMEDIN should not be given in case of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, aortic stenosis, or any other clinical condition where an augmentation of cardiac output is inappropriate for functional or anatomical reasons. The safety of VETMEDIN has not been established in dogs with asymptomatic heart disease or in heart failure caused by etiologies other than atrioventricularvalvular insufficiency or dilated cardiomyopathy. The safe use of VETMEDIN has not been evaluated in dogs younger than 6 months of age, dogs with congenital heart defects, dogs with diabetes mellitus or other serious metabolic diseases, dogs used for breeding, or pregnant or lactating bitches. Use only in dogs with clinical evidence of heart failure. The most common side effects reported in field studies were poor appetite, lethargy, diarrhea, dyspnea, azotemia, weakness, and ataxia. If side effects should occur, pet owners should contact their veterinarian. Please refer to the Full Prescribing Information here.