The utility of Holter recording lies in the ability to continuously examine the heart rate and rhythm over 24 to 48 hours.

Editors' note: This article is an updated excerpt from "Pimobendan: Understanding its cardiac effects in dogs with myocardial disease," which appeared in Veterinary Medicine's October 2006 issue.

Hyperlipidemia is the increased concentration of triglyceride (hypertriglyceridemia), cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia), or both in the blood.

Pimobendan, a benzimidazole-pyridazinone drug, is classified as an inodilator because of its nonsympathomimetic, nonglycoside positive inotropic (through myocardial calcium sensitization) and vasodilator properties.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), also known as consumptive coagulopathy or defibrination syndrome, is an acquired disorder of the hemostatic system that results in the pathologic activation and disequilibria of normal hemostasis and fibrinolysis, leading to potentially fatal consequences. This syndrome is common in critically ill veterinary patients and is always secondary to an underlying disorder that increases systemic thrombin and plasmin activities.

In this article, we provide guidance to help you identify and effectively treat patients with DIC early, improving their outcome.