Heart disease in dogs may be congenital (present at birth) or acquired. Acquired heart disease is more common and tends to occur as the animal gets older. Often the owner does not notice as severe clinical signs may not arise during gradual deterioration of cardiac function.

NT-pro-BNP will be a useful screen where subtle clinical signs are present, as part of a geriatric profile or a health check for breeds who have a history of cardiac problems.

Canine Interpretation

NT-pro-BNP levels less than 900 pmol/L are found in normal healthy dogs and it is unlikely that the clinical signs are related to cardiac failure.

NT-pro-BNP levels between 900 and 1800 pmol/L are in the suspect range and in the absence of a murmur or common clinical signs, heart disease is unlikely.

NT-pro-BNP levels greater than 1800 pmol/L Heart disease is likely.
Further investigation and other tests should be performed to confirm this.

Feline Interpretation

NT-pro-BNP levels less than 100 pmol/L are found in normal healthy cats and it is unlikely that the clinical signs are related to cardiac failure.

NT-pro-BNP levels between 100 and 270 pmol/L are in the suspect range and in the absence of a murmur or common clinical signs, heart disease is unlikely.

NT-pro-BNP levels greater than 270 pmol/L Heart disease is likely.
Further investigation and other tests should be performed to confirm this.

In cats and dogs NT-pro-BNP levels may decrease with cardiac medication. Arrhythmias and the presence of pulmonary hypertension may result in higher NT-pro-BNP levels. Azotemic animals may have increased NT-pro-BNP levels.

Please note very low values are suggestive of inappropriate sampling or sample degradation and a repeat sample should be submitted.