About Feline Heart Health

Significance

• Acquired heart diseases in cats develop as your cat ages and aren't present at birth. Feline heart diseases affect the walls of the heart, which directly affects the strength of the heart required to pump blood. Since the heart can't pump blood as efficiently throughout the body, weakness in the heart develops, as do signs and symptoms of illness. Congenital heart disease is present from birth and can take the form of holes or weakness in the valves or heart chambers.

Considerations

• Feline heart problems present difficulties in diagnosis for pet owners and veterinarians. Cats tend to mask illness very well due to their natural tendency for solitary behavior. Feline heart conditions can be paired with other diseases such as hypertension or diabetes. Vigilance and awareness on the part of pet owners is the key to early diagnosis and treatment of feline heart problems. It is very rare for any veterinarian to be able to determine the exact cause of any feline heart problem.

Symptoms

• A cat's natural reclusive behavior can result in feline heart health issues being undiagnosed for a long period of time. Pet owners often notice illnesses in cats at advanced stages when the cat is already in distress. At this point, time is of the essence and immediate veterinarian care is recommended.
  
  Feline heart issues present some symptoms that can be caused by other illnesses. However, these general symptoms may be an indication of feline heart problems. Shortness of breath or panting, general weakness in movements and lethargy might indicate heart issues. Lack of appetite and weight loss also may be signs of heart problems. Any symptoms should be documented and complete information provided to your veterinarian.

Types

• Feline heart problems cover a broad range of illnesses that are frequently treated with medications to help the heart function better. Heartworm disease is caused by a parasite transferred from an infected mosquito. As the worms multiply within the heart, they can block the arteries, causing decreased blood flow.
  
  Heart murmurs are common in cats and involves the valves of the heart not closing properly. This causes decreased blood flow to the heart and body. Often heart murmurs can be an indication of another heart problem.

  Hypertropic cardiomyopathy results in a thickened heart muscle in the lower left chamber of the heart (left ventricle). The top left chamber of the heart (left atrium) enlarges as well. When the heart thickens, less area is available to store and pump blood. This lack of balance results in a heart that doesn't pump an adequate supply of blood.
  
  Medications are used to treat this problem as well as arrhythmia. Arrhythmia is caused by weakness on one side of the heart. Feline dilated cardiomyopathy causes the heart muscle to become loose and flabby. This can be caused by an inadequate amount of taurine in the cat's diet. Treatment for this type of feline heart problem involves medications as well as providing adequate amounts of the supplement taurine.
  Restrictive cardiomyopathy describes the heart disease in which scar tissue forms along the walls of the heart. The scar tissue restricts the proper flow of blood through the heart as well as the adequate pumping.

Considerations

• Some breeds of cats have a tendency toward heart problems. As a result, it's imperative that breeders completely avoid breeding cats with known heart problems. If your cat has been diagnosed with heart issues, make sure the cat is kept calm and as relaxed as possible since stress can overwork the heart.

Prevention/Solution

• Feline heart health is in many ways the responsibility of the pet owner. Proper diet, adequate exercise and vigilance on the part of the pet owner can help limit future heart problems. A high quality diet that includes taurine is essential to feline heart health. Since many feline heart problems are hereditary, regular visits to the vet can help diagnose problems early.