Abstract
This study aimed to assess the effects of dehydration on echocardiographic indices in healthy cats: specifically, it aimed to assess the effects of volume depletion on diastolic function. Nine experimental cats were subjected to both a dehydration and placebo protocol separated by a 21-day washout period. Echocardiography was performed at baseline and on completion of each protocol. Results were compared between the two protocols. Volume depletion was induced by intravenous administration of furosemide. Volume depletion showed a significant association with increased interventricular septal and left ventricular free wall thickness at end-diastole, decreased left ventricular internal diameter at end-diastole, and left atrial diameter at end-systole. The peak early (E) and late (A) diastolic filling velocities, and the peak early diastolic velocities (E') were significantly decreased by dehydration. Volume depletion did not affect peak longitudinal strain rate during early diastole, E/A, or E/E'. Volume depletion significantly affected the echocardiographic diastolic indices and conventional echocardiographic parameters in healthy cats.