Epidemiological Assessment of Cardiac Abnormalities in Companion Animals Using Echocardiography: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in cats and dogs, yet often remains undiagnosed due to subtle early signs. This study aimed to assess echocardiographic prevalence and patterns of cardiac abnormalities in clinically healthy companion animals, emphasizing echocardiography’s diagnostic value. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, ۸۰ cats and ۱۲۰ dogs between the ages of ۱ and ۱۲ who were all deemed clinically healthy and attending regular wellness exams were recruited. Every participant underwent a routine transthoracic echocardiogram. Data were analyzed by age cohort, sex, breed, and species. Some of the problems found were mitral valve disease (MVD), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and left atrial enlargement. Results: Of the study population, ۲۸.۵% had abnormal findings from echocardiograms. With a notable preference for small-breed dogs older than seven years, MVD was found in ۲۱.۶% of cases. ۱۲.۵% of cats, mostly males over five, had HCM. Age, breed size, and the existence of echocardiographic abnormalities were found to be significantly correlated by statistical analyses (p < ۰.۰۵). Conclusion: Echocardiographic screening unveiled a substantial prevalence of subclinical cardiac disease among ostensibly healthy pets. These findings support the implementation of routine echocardiographic assessment, particularly in geriatric and predisposed breeds, as a strategy for the early detection of cardiac pathology and enhancement of clinical outcomes.

کلیدواژه ها:

Epidemiology ، Cardiac abnormalities ، Companion animals ، Echocardiography ، Cross-sectional study