Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
if they are not sedated. Some
newer technology replaces clips
with a contact plate, but these
machines currently are not
routinely reliable for measuring
cats. The electrical impulses
produced by cats are weak and
difficult for devices to pick up.
BLOOD PRESSURE
Getting a diagnostic blood
pressure reading in cats requires
practice and a relatively calm
patient. It is easy to practice but
not always easy to relax a cat in
a veterinary clinic. There are
various ways for measuring blood pressure, but the most widely used
technique uses a Doppler device. Dopplers use sound waves to measure
blood flow.
In cats only systolic readings are used to evaluate blood pressure.
Systolic measurements correlate with heart muscle contraction. At this
time, reliable diastolic measurements cannot be routinely obtained non-
invasively.
A small cuff around the leg is inflated as part
of a blood pressure measurement.
CEREBRAL SPINAL FLUID TAP
A cerebral spinal fluid tap is used to obtain a sample of the fluid that
bathes the brain and spinal cord. Anesthesia and skill are needed to get a
diagnostic sample. Cerebral spinal fluid analysis aids in the diagnosis of
many neurological conditions. Most veterinarians refer this procedure to
veterinary neurologists or internists, who perform it frequently, in order
to achieve good results.A needle is placed between two vertebrae at the
base of the skull or in the lumbar region, and about 1.5 milliliters of
fluid is removed for analysis.
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine uses a computer to
interpret how electromagnetic currents pass through tissue. Specifically,
it measures the differences in hydrogen protons in diseased versus
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