Systolic third sound associated with systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve in cats with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Third heart sounds in cats frequently are associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) but their exact characterization and timing within the cardiac cycle remains unknown.

Objectives: Characterize third heart sounds in cats by phonocardiography and test the ability of 3 observers with different levels of experience and training to recognize third systolic heart sounds in cats.

Animals: Fifty client-owned cats of different breeds presented for heart screening.