Veterinary Cardiology
Dr. Amara Obi · DACVIM (Cardiology)
Veterinary cardiology diagnoses and manages congenital and acquired heart disease through echocardiography, ECG, and hemodynamic assessment. Dr. Obi covers murmur workups, CHF staging, arrhythmia management, and pericardial disease — including the latest EPIC trial protocols.
Ask Dr. Amara Obi →Common Conditions
Sample Questions
“Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with Grade IV/VI systolic murmur — echo shows LA:Ao 2.1, LVIDDN 2.0. Time to start pimobendan per EPIC criteria?”
“Doberman with new-onset syncopal episodes and ventricular premature complexes on Holter. DCM screening and antiarrhythmic approach?”
“Maine Coon with SAM on echo and mild LA enlargement — HCM staging and when to start atenolol?”
Cardiology Cases(23)
View All Cases →Pimobendan timing and dosing for a Cavalier in Stage B2 M...
Excellent. You've correctly identified this patient as Stage B2 based on that LA:Ao ratio, and this is precisely the point where we have strong evidence to intervene. Starting pim
An 8-year-old neutered male Golden Retriever presents wit...
Thank you for reaching out with this concerning presentation. An 8-year-old Golden Retriever presenting with progressive exercise intolerance, coughing, muffled heart sounds, cardi
A 6-year-old spayed female Maine Coon presents for severa...
This sounds like a critical emergency, and your rapid assessment and diagnosis are commendable. A 6-year-old Maine Coon presenting with lethargy, anorexia, progressive dyspnea, muf
Grain Free Dog Food Heart Disease DCM
Excellent question. This is a topic I address daily, and the amount of misinformation owners receive is a significant challenge. Here is my evidence-based summary for you and your
Canine Heartworm Treatment Protocol
Colleague, Your proposed plan is spot-on and follows the American Heartworm Society (AHS) guidelines precisely. From a cardiology standpoint, my primary concern with heartworm dis
Cat Heart Murmur Kitten When to Worry
This is a common and important finding. The challenge with kittens is differentiating a benign, physiologic flow murmur from a significant congenital defect. Here is my approach.
Dog Heart Murmur Grades Explained
Of course. A methodical approach to auscultation is one of the most powerful and cost-effective diagnostic tools we have. Let's walk through the key components. Murmur Grading &
Senior Dog Pre-Anesthetic Workup Protocol
This is a very common and important clinical question. Anesthetic safety in a senior patient with newly identified heart disease hinges on properly staging that disease. A Grade II
Cat Saddle Thrombus Emergency Treatment
Alright, this is a tough one. Aortic thromboembolism is one of the most devastating emergencies we see. Let's get this cat stabilized and have a realistic discussion. My approach i
West Highland White Terrier Pulmonary Fibrosis
Colleague, Your suspicion is very high on my list for an 11-year-old Westie with these clinical signs and radiographic findings. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a notorious and t
Patent Ductus Arteriosus Puppy Treatment
Colleague, This is a classic presentation for a hemodynamically significant, left-to-right shunting patent ductus arteriosus. Your prompt diagnosis is the critical first step. The
Canine Congestive Heart Failure Emergency
This is a classic presentation of fulminant cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Our immediate goals are to reduce preload, reduce afterload, improve contractility, and decrease the patien
Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Treatment
Good work on the echo. Your findings are classic for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). This cat is in ACVIM Stage B2 (structural disease with chamber enlargement, but
Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy Doberman
This is a classic and concerning presentation for occult (Stage B2) Doberman Cardiomyopathy. The high arrhythmial burden places this dog at significant risk for sudden cardiac deat
Pimobendan Dosing for MMVD Stage B2
Excellent workup and accurate staging. This is a classic presentation for a Stage B2 Cavalier, and you've identified the key parameters that guide our intervention. Yes, you shoul
Pimobendan timing and dosing for a Cavalier in Stage B2 M...
Excellent question. Your staging of this Cavalier as ACVIM Stage B2 based on an LA:Ao of 1.8 is spot on, and this is precisely the point to initiate therapy to delay the onset of c
pimobendan dosing for a Cavalier King Charles with MMVD
Of course. The key with pimobendan in Cavaliers with MMVD isn't just the dose, but the timing. Let's make sure we're starting it at the right stage. According to the ACVIM consens
pimobendan dosing for a Cavalier King Charles with MMVD
Of course. The dosing for pimobendan in a Cavalier is straightforward, but the critical factor is ensuring the patient is in the correct stage of Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease
Grade 3/6 murmur in a 10yo Cavalier, new cough
This is a classic presentation, and your primary concern is rightly ruling out congestive heart failure (CHF). However, in an older Cavalier, we have three major differentials for
Grade 3/6 murmur in a 10yo Cavalier, new cough
Dr. Obi here. This is a classic and critical presentation. A 10-year-old Cavalier with a grade III/VI murmur almost certainly has Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease (DMVD). The urge
Grade 3/6 murmur in a 10yo Cavalier, new cough
Thank you for this consult. A new cough in a 10-year-old Cavalier with a grade III/VI murmur is a classic presentation that requires careful and methodical evaluation. My primary c
Grade 3/6 murmur in a 10yo Cavalier, new cough
A new grade 3/6 murmur in a 10-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a significant finding, particularly given the breed's predisposition to degenerative mitral valve disease (
Grade 3/6 murmur in a 10yo Cavalier, new cough
Assessment and Recommendations for a 10-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Given the presentation of a 3/6 murmur and new cough in a 10-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
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