scott@vtx-cpd.com

Replying to Liz Bode 06/07/2025 - 21:00

Hi Liz,

Thanks so much for this! Sorry for the JC spoiler! 🙂

I also love your point about being pragmatic for those cases where echo just isn’t feasible. It’s that classic balance between ideal medicine and what’s actually possible in real life.

I think this study is going to make for a great journal club discussion—looking forward to hearing more!

Cheers,

Scott 🙂

Replying to Riley D. 06/07/2025 - 15:14

Hey Riley,

I hope you are well!

That’s exactly the kind of thing I was thinking too—it’s such a tempting message (“just start pimobendan if there’s a loud murmur!”) but it risks shortcutting proper workups.

And yes, the whole treating stage B1 dogs who don’t need it is a big one for me too—cost to the owner aside, there’s that question of pushing remodelling or hypertrophy in a heart that might have stayed stable for years.

Really keen to see what Liz thinks too!

Scott 🙂

Replying to Liz Bode 29/06/2025 - 21:20

Thank you Liz!

This is really helpful!

Scott 🙂

Replying to Liz Bode 22/06/2025 - 21:43

Really helpful!

Thanks Liz.

Scott x

Replying to Lynne Holcroft 22/06/2025 - 15:16

Hi Lynne,

Thanks so much for taking the time to share this—it’s really great to hear your perspective.

Your experience with your own Maine Coon is really valuable. It highlights exactly why these discussions matter so much: even though FHNE is often recommended as the “simple” or “safe” option, THR can absolutely be a fantastic choice in the right patient. It’s brilliant to hear how well your cat has done post-bilateral THR, especially with that level of functional recovery and no ongoing meds or physio. That outcome really speaks to careful case selection and good surgical technique, but also to owners being well-informed and involved in making the best decision for their individual cat.

I think you’re spot on about how cost, insurance coverage, and local referral options can drive these choices. In my own experience, FHNE does tend to get proposed more often partly because it’s technically easier and cheaper, and maybe also because there’s a lingering sense among some vets that cats “cope” better with it than dogs do. But as you say, the owner-reported quality of life is not the whole story if they’re losing subtle aspects of mobility or activity.

Your comment about owners noting that their cats are “back to normal except not jumping as high” really echoes what this paper showed—that there can be functional compromises even when general quality of life seems good. It makes the case for giving owners the full picture, so they can balance expectations realistically.

I think you’re absolutely right that having this kind of data in our back pocket can help us have better, more nuanced conversations in practice.

Thank you again for your brilliant comments! I hope you are having a lovely weekend.

All the best,

Scott 🙂