Heart Disease in Cats
Feline heart disease can be very serious. Sometimes it is caused by genetics and can affect cats at a young age. Other times the heart grows weaker as the cat ages. Either way, heart problems in cats can be deadly and should be evaluated by a veterinarian.
Congenital Heart Disease
Congenital heart problems are inherited, and cats with this kind of heart disease will often show signs by 10 months of age. Some common heart defects include malformations of either the valves or septum of the heart. Sometimes these defects can be corrected in cats through treatment or surgery, but other times they go undetected until they are fatal.
Acquired Heart Disease
Other forms of heart disease in cats are acquired during their life. Cardiomyopothy in cats is the term for disease of the heart muscle. There are different types of cardiomyopothy, affecting different aspects of the heart wall, either by thickening it or stretching it. Feline heart disease was found to be caused at times by a deficiency of taurine, an essential amino acid. Taurine is now added to most cat foods, and this has greatly decreased this form of cardiomyopothy. Another form of this feline heart disease is a result of hyperthyroidism in cats. With the treatment of the primary disease, the heart disease usually heals also. Other forms of cardiomyopothy, however, have no cure.
Signs of Heart Disease
When a cat is showing signs of heart disease, it is usually necessary to visit the veterinarian right away. One of the first symptoms, besides a heart murmur, is difficulty breathing. This is usually due to the heart failing to function. It is at this time that the cat may be suffering from an enlargement of the heart or low output failure, which means the heart cannot pump enough blood to support the body. Arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, and possibly blood clots may form. Other symptoms as heart disease progresses include rapid breathing, shortness of breath, coughing, and fatigue. There may also be a build up of fluid on the abdomen, as well as swelling in the limbs.
Treatment
Treatments for feline heart disease vary, but most are designed to manage the symptoms of heart disease, rather than reverse the condition. Medications can be used to treat breathing problems, to prevent fluid retention, to regulate the heart rate, and to promote circulation.
