Detecting Heart Disease in Cats

 

We all think our cats look healthy and happy and we hope they’re both!  Making sure your pet’s heart is in good shape is another great reason to get your pet regular yearly physical exams.  As it is with people, heart disease can also be a “silent killer” in cats.  All cats are at risk for heart disease - some breeds more than others - and if they have it, it can be hidden for years until there is a drastic health crisis or death. Heart disease in most cats develops as they age but in rare cases it can be congenital.  The most common heart condition in cats is cardiomyopathy.  It is called an acquired condition, which means it's not congenital, and accounts for 2/3 of heart conditions diagnosed in cats.  Cardiomyopathy affects the muscles in the heart, causing them to have a thickened appearance. Vets aren't always sure what causes cats to develop cardiomyopathy, but it can result from several other conditions, among them are anemia, hyperthyroidism, and hypertension, or high blood pressure.   According to a great petmd.com story - here are the top 10 signs of heart disease in your cat that you should be aware of are: 1.  Restlessness 2. Weakness 3.  Fainting or collapsing 4.  Swollen abdomen 5.  Weight loss or gain 6.  Poor appetite 7.  Depressed or withdrawn 8.  Thromboembolisms [blood clots]  9.  Difficulty breathing 10. Vomiting   Your veterinarian should keep a consistent eye on your cat’s blood pressure and how his heart sounds to detect any irregularity.  Catching any problems early is critical.  Care and treatment of a heart ailment might involve a specialist like a veterinary cardiologist in addition to your regular vet.  Cats with some forms of heart disease can live good lives for years if it is caught and treated right away.   Undiagnosed high blood pressure may blind your cat so it's critical that your vet monitor your cat's blood pressure. BCR residents Seven and Voldo, both senior kitties, suffer from heart disease and receive treatment every day.  Several BCR cats have hypertension and are treated for it every day, including Yoshi, Willow, Poppy and Popcorn.  Jewell and Precious (above) arrived at BCR already blind from hypertension.  Lucky for Precious, though, his extremely high blood pressure was caught early enough that, with the right treatment, he regained some of his sight.  The message here is if your cat suddenly can't see, get to the vet immediately and get his blood pressure checked.     Unlike dogs, cats will try to mask pain or distress they're experiencing so, as a pet owner, you should be extra vigilant.  CLICK HERE to get an overview of feline heart disease from Cornell University’s Veterinary school.