Vmed diagnostic products are used for evaluation of the parameters described below.
ECG
“Indications for electrocardiography include arrhythmias heard on auscultation, breathing problems, shock, fainting or seizures, cardiac murmurs, and systemic disease that affects the heart (e.g. tumors, kidney dysfunction, heartworm disease). Electrocardiography is also useful as part of the preoperative work-up in older animals, for monitoring patients during and after surgery, and for evaluating the effects of cardiac drugs. An electrocardiogram (ECG) is the only test that can accurately diagnose an arrhythmia or a conduction abnormality. And an ECG will help you decide when other diagnostic tests should be done, including blood pressure measurement, thoracic radiography, or even echocardiography.
Perform electrocardiography on a periodic basis in breeds prone to arrhythmias, especially if clinical signs are present. These breeds include boxers (myocarditis), Doberman pinschers (ventricular arrhythmias and possible cardiomyopathy), German shepherds (congenital ventricular arrhythmias), and miniature schnauzers (sick sinus syndrome and sinus arrest/block).
“It is recommended that practitioners have two electrocardiography machines: an oscilloscope and an electrocardiograph. An oscilloscope is necessary for monitoring patients during surgery, and an electrocardiograph is needed for clinical diagnostic testing. The electrocardiograph linked with a strip recorder or printer provides a permanent record. The ECG can be recorded with the patient in a standing position, or you can use a hand-held unit with the patient in any position. New wireless technology (e.g. Vmed PC Vet—Vmed Technology, Inc.) also allows an ECG to be done without wires connected directly from an animal to the electrocardiograph”
Larry Tilley, DVM, DACVIM (Internal Medicine)
Vmed File Reviewer Software
All Vmed wireless monitors include the bonus Reviewer program which allows saved files to be recalled and analyzed. Files can be emailed for review by consulting cardiologists. Consultants can download the Reviewer software at no charge at Downloads/Support
- An extensive help menu provides a valuable diagnostic aid with the following information:
- Tables of normal ECG measurements and heart rates for cats and dogs.
- Background on arrhythmia interpretation
- Background on ECG measurements
- Background on various ECG rhythms
- Anti-arrhythmia drug table
- Email reports for consultation
- Print reports from your computer
- Electronic measurement of ECG complexes
- Save measurements and add notes to each file
Vmed ECG Interpreter
The animal specific ECG Lead II interpretation software program (catalog i100) allows the practicing clinician to interpret routine and indicated small animal ECG traces with confidence. The program works with all Vmed wireless ECG monitors and the PC-VetGard series of surgical monitors. Templates for cats and dogs of different weights are included. 50 examples of commonly seen abnormalities and tables for normal measurements for cats and dogs are included for reference. Each conclusive condition includes a hyperlink to the appropriate section of the full text version of “Electrocardiography for the Small Animal Practitioner” by Larry Tilley and Naomi Burtnick. One click Normal-Abnormal determination with detailed analysis of charts up to two hours long. Files can be stored on your computer hard drive automatically or manually and recalled for review, further analyses and email transmission
“Computerized ECG interpretation programs are well established in the human field. The new Vmed ECG Interpreter now makes computerized interpretation a reality in veterinary medicine. The computer reading provides a second opinion and is especially helpful for inexperienced clinicians. When the ECG Interpreter identifies an ECG as abnormal, the analysis software can then be used to further clarify the diagnosis. The Vmed system also makes it easy to store the Interpreter report on clinic computers and to email this report to a specialist if further confirmation is needed.”
Larry Tilley, DVM, DACVIM (Internal Medicine)
- Compatible with all Vmed wireless monitors with ECG
- Examples of commonly seen abnormalities.
- Tables of normal measurements for cats and dogs.
- Full text electronic version of “Electrocardiography for the Small Animal Practitioner” by Larry Tilley and Naomi Burtnick
- Hyperlink from Interpreter conclusions to test book section describing the finding
Blood Pressure
“On a practical level, every veterinary practice should have a blood pressure unit, especially in feline medicine. Numerous studies in the veterinary literature show that a large percentage of cats more than 12 years of age have hypertension, either secondary to chronic renal disease or from underlying thyroid disease. A blood pressure monitoring device is critical for practitioners who see a large number of geriatric feline patients. Blood pressure should be recorded for cats with left ventricular hypertrophy of an unknown cause, cats with renal disease, cats with acute visual problems, and other critically ill patients. Diseases commonly associated with hypertension in both the dog and cat, include systemic hypertension and renal disease, hyperadrenocorticism, hyperthyroidism, essential of primary hypertension, and pheochromocytoma. Of these, Cushings disease (dogs) and renal disease are probably the most common. The majority of cats diagnosed as hypertensive are presented to veterinarians for the evaluation of ocular abnormalities such as dilated pupils, hyphema or presumed blindness.” Larry Tilley, DVM, DACVIM (Internal Medicine)
