Q: Rambo, my 2-year-old cat, was breathing fast during his annual wellness exam. His veterinarian said his rapid breathing could be due to stress, heart disease or a respiratory condition such as asthma.
She did a blood test called NT-proBNP which indicated that he may have heart disease, and she referred me to a cardiologist who confirmed that Rambo has cardiomyopathy. Now he takes medicine to improve his heart function and prolong his life.
I’m grateful my veterinarian recognized the possibility that Rambo might have heart disease and that she did the NT-proBNP test. How does this blood test reveal heart disease?…