Assessment of serum NTproBNP concentration for differentiation of congestive heart failure from primary respiratory tract disease as the cause of respiratory signs in dogs

D between causes of respiratory distress in animals that have acute signs is challenging. Clinical signs are generally nonspecific and can result from congestive heart failure as well as primary respiratory tract disease. Data gathered through medical history, physical examination, and thoracic radiography can be ambiguous or nonconfirmatory. Differentiation of the common causes of respiratory signs (ie, coughing, stertor, stridor, excessive panting, increased respiratory effort, tachypnea, or overt respiratory distress) is essential to optimize management and outcome. Thus, a blood-based assay to differentiate between cardiac versus noncardiac (ie, primary respiratory tract disease) causes of respiratory signs would be useful. Assessment of serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide concentration for differentiation of congestive heart failure from primary respiratory tract disease as the cause of respiratory signs in dogs