FROM: THE SACRAMENTO CAT HOSPITAL
FELINE HEART DISEASE
Your kitty’s heart is an amazing muscle. It pumps blood to every part of your cat’s body, providing the oxygen and nutrients needed to keep it functioning properly. The heart also removes carbon dioxide and other waste products from tissues.
In order to do its job effectively, the heart needs to be in good condition. Unfortunately, any cat can be at risk for heart disease. Feline heart disease falls into two broad categories: congenital and acquired.
Congenital disorders are present from birth, and are relatively rare. The most common congenital disorders include abnormal heart valve development and holes in the septa (a membrane in the heart).
Acquired disorders make up the majority of feline heart disease. The most common is calledcardiomyopathy, a structural abnormality in the muscle that encloses one or both heart ventricles. With cardiomyopathy, the walls of the heart thicken and do not pump blood effectively. Over time, this can lead to a number of conditions including high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, anemia, respiratory distress, and ultimately congestive heart failure.
In some cases, outward signs of heart disease can be obvious. This can include difficulty breathing (or breathing with the mouth open), coughing that leads to gagging, weakness or lethargy, inability to walk, swelling in the abdomen, collapsing, or fainting. Sometimes, though, signs of heart disease are so subtle that they are best spotted by your veterinarian. Regular veterinary checkups are a key component in keeping your cat’s heart healthy.
To help diagnose heart disease, your veterinarian will first perform a complete physical exam. This will include carefully listening to your kitty’s heart for murmurs, abnormal sounds between heartbeats, or irregular rhythms. Because hypertension (high blood pressure) can be a secondary condition associated with heart disease, kitties over the age of 6 (younger if medically recommended) will have their blood pressure checked. This service, a $42.65 value, is included at no additional charge with the wellness exam. Your veterinarian may recommend bloodwork to measure cardiac enzyme levels or check for other conditions such as hyperthyroidism or anemia. Chest x-rays or cardiac ultrasound may also be recommended.
If your kitty is diagnosed with heart disease, your veterinarian may prescribe medication to help manage the disease. Dietary changes and nutritional supplements may also be recommended. Your veterinarian will work with you to develop a plan that is right for your kitty. Early detection and treatment of heart disease can help your kitty live a healthy, happy life for many years to come.
