Feline Heart Disease Treatment

Most people don't think of heart disease as an affliction that might strike their cats. However, according to Portland Veterinary Specialists, heart disease is quite common in cats and can affect any age or breed. Portland Veterinary Specialists cautions cat owners that they may not see warning signs such as coughing, weakness or trouble breathing until the disease is very advanced. Therefore, regular checkups for your cat are crucial. With early detection and treatment, your cat can live a long and healthy life.

  1. Types of Feline Heart Disease

    • Second Chance describes three types of cardiomyopathy. In dilative cardiomyopathy, the walls of the heart balloon out and thus the heart becomes enlarged, thinner-walled, and weaker. In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the walls of the heart thicken, reducing its ability to pump blood. In restrictive cardiomyopathy, scarring of the heart muscles prevent normal pumping action. Feline Heart Disease notes that if heart disease is suspected but cardiomyopathy is not found, your cat might be suffering from heartworms, a fairly common type of feline heart disease.

    Diagnosis

    • Diagnosis begins with a physical examination. Portland Veterinary Specialists note several warning signs including elevated heart rate, irregular rhythm, and the presence of a heart murmur. Abnormal sounds in the lungs and a weak or irregular pulse may also occur in more advanced cases. If abnormalities are found, your vet may recommend further testing. Portland Veterinary Specialists describe the following types of testing. Chest X-rays can determine if the heart is enlarged or if there is fluid in the chest cavity or lungs. An electrocardiogram documents heart rate and rhythm. An echocardiogram can determine the type and degree of heart dysfunction.

    Treatments

    • Second Chance describes six classes of medications that may be used to treat feline heart disease: ACE inhibitors; diuretics; beta-blocking drugs; digoxin; calcium channel blockers and aspirin. ACE inhibitors improve cardiac function by lowering blood pressure and dilating blood vessels. Diuretics remove fluid from the lungs and reduce the volume of fluid the heart has to pump. Beta-blocking drugs slow heart rate, lower blood pressure, and regulate heart rhythyms. Digoxin is used mainly in the treatment of dilative cardiomyopathy when other drugs have failed. It strengthens the contraction of the heart muscle and slows the heart rate. Calcium channel blockers reduce the stiffness of the heart walls and lower blood pressure. Low doses of aspirin may be used to decrease the likelihood of blood clots.

      According to Feline Heart Disease, a heartworms infestation is treated with heartworm medication.

    Prognosis

    • Prognosis depends on the type of heart disease and how advanced it is. Portland Veterinary Specialists note that cats with carefully controlled heart disease can live symptom-free for years, but early detection is critical and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is more treatable than the other two types of cardiomyopathy. Second Chance reports that restrictive cardiomyopathy is particularly resistive to treatment. According to Feline Heart Disease, a heartworm infestation can be deadly but is very treatable with heartworm medication.

    Prevention

    • According to Feline Heart Disease, proper nutrition will help prevent heart disease in cats. As with humans, weight is a concern for cats, but they also need taurine, an amino acid which strengthens the heart muscle, in their diet. Commercial cat food generally does contain taurine as cat food manufacturers are aware of its importance, but you may want to consult your veterinarian for suggestions on brands. Feline Heart Disease also notes that heartworms can be prevented by giving a cat one heartworm pill a month, such as Heartgard Chewables for Cats.