Abstract

Background:
Heart diseases are common in dogs, geriatric, overweight, to obese individuals, with metabolic problems, lack of nutrition, and breed problems. NT-proBNP and cardiac troponin-I (cTnI) are selected for the diagnosis of heart damage in early detection. Both of these biomarkers have another function. This study compared NT-proBNP with cTnI for the early detection of cardiac diseases in dogs.

Aim:
This study compared NT-proBNP with cTnI levels for the early detection of cardiac diseases in dogs.

Methods:
A total of five dogs of various breeds, ages, sexes, and body weights were included. All animals underwent a comprehensive diagnostic workup, including a thorough history and physical examination, cardiorespiratory auscultation, and laboratory diagnostics. These diagnostics include blood pressure measurement, thoracic radiography, and echocardiography, which are performed on every patient, and biomarker levels used a commercial kit rapid test (®Flash test).

Results:
Four dogs had a cardiac troponin I level of >0.1 ng/ml (abnormal), and 1 dog has a normal cTnI level, but four dogs had a normal NT-proBNP level ≤ 2 ng/ml, but 1 dog has an abnormal level. Every dog has laboratory results based on blood pressure, electrocardiography, X-ray, and echocardiography per case. Based on cardiographic results relevant with cTnI that more sensitive if asymptomatic patients rather than NT-proBNP

Conclusion:
cTnI is more sensitive than NT-proBNP, supported by other laboratory examinations to establish a more accurate diagnosis. However, a larger number of case samples is needed to draw a more accurate diagnosis.

Key words: NT-proBNP, cTn-I; Cardiography; Dogs.