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Cat Disease Heart In

Cat disease heart in – list of possible heart problems in cats

The cat is extremely fortunate in that it rarely suffers from heart disease.

Valvular incompetence, cardiac hypertension and arteriosclerosis - all comparatively common in the dog and in humans - are seen only in the late stages of senility as part of the natural dying process. All combine to make the end rapid and comparatively painless.

Thrombosis in the main artery supplying the hind legs has occasionally been recorded. It causes pain and paralysis. In oriental breeds, heart defects may be hereditary; these can be detected by chest X-rays after injecting a special radio-opaque material intravenously. But, all in all, heart problems in cats are so rare.

Heart Problems in cats

A diseased heart is less able to pump blood, and may deprive the body of life giving oxygen and nutrients and/or allow fluid to “back up” in various parts of the body. Major signs of oxygen deprivation are weakness, perhaps most noticeable after exercise, and fainting, which may look like a seizure, while fluid in or around the lungs usually causes breathing difficulty. Almost any form of heart disease in cats can cause sudden death.

Congenital heart defects (which the animal is born with) in cats are usually “plumbing problems” that either disrupt or divert the normal flow of blood through the heart. Possible defects include openings where there should be none, openings that are too small, valves that leak, blood vessels that are in the wrong place or are too narrow, and vessels that are supposed to shut down at birth but that fail to do so.

Weakness, fainting, breathing difficulty, or stunted growth are often seen in cats with congenital heart defects. With few exceptions, the end result is heart failure. Treatment and outcome depend upon the nature of the defect.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscles whereby, for unknown reasons, the muscle walls of the left ventricle become thickened and ultimately compromise the heart’s ability to pump blood. Congestive heart failure with pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs) is a common consequence.

In addition, blood clots tend to form within a chamber of the heart. If one breaks free, it circulates rapidly and lodges in an artery, commonly one supplying blood to the rear legs; sudden paralysis of the rear limb(s) is the repercussion.

Some cases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can be diagnosed early if the veterinarian detects abnormal heart sounds during a routine physical examination; ultrasonic examination of the heart confirms the diagnosis. If treatment is started early enough, the prognosis for long-term survival is guarded to fair for most cats. Medications are given to control pulmonary edema, the strength of heart muscle contractions, and the formation of blood clots.

Heartworm disease is commonly considered a disease of dogs, but the offending parasite (a worm called Dirofilaria immitis that is transmitted in its larval stage by mosquitoes) can infect cats as well. Some heartworm-infected cats have no problems at all; some just act lethargic or lose appetite and weight; some suffer temporary or intermittent vomiting, coughing, or breathing difficulty; others die suddenly. Fortunately, many cats are able to fight off infection by themselves.

When a cat is bitten by a mosquito carrying the larval parasites, the larvae are carried along with mosquito saliva through the bite hole into the cat’s body and continue to mature as they migrate through the tissues. Eventually, they reach the heart and pulmonary vessels, stimulating an intense inflammatory reaction in the lungs that often results in rapid breathing, coughing, or vomiting.

These signs usually abate after several weeks, but in some cases they may persist. After the initial episode, mature worms usually cause few signs of disease. But it is after about two years, when the worms die, that a cat exhibits some of the most severe signs of heartworm infection-very severe coughing, marked breathing difficulty, or sudden death.

There is no safe way to kill the worms, but they do not live as long in cats as they do in dogs, so many cats that experience problems as a result of infection may be free of disease after a period of time. Coughing and vomiting caused by the parasite usually can be controlled by an oral cortisone-like medication.

A preventive medication that kills the larvae before they reach the heart is recommended for routine use in areas where heartworm disease exists. Heartworm has been seen in almost all parts of the United States and southern Canada, but it is most prevalent on the east coast of North America, in the southern United States, and in the Mississippi River valley.

High blood pressure (systemic hypertension) is common in elderly cats. It is almost always secondary to some other disease, especially kidney disease and hyperthyroidism. Left untreated, hypertension can cause enlargement of the heart, worsening of kidney disease, seizures, and sudden blindness. Treatment of the condition primarily relies on managing the underlying condition; if necessary, antihypertensive medications similar to those used in people are given orally.

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