Vet Speak: Cats are very good at hiding the signs of heart disease
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Haggis was a lovely, petite, 12-year-old tabby cat who had been brought in for his usual annual booster vaccinations and check-up, writes Alison
Laurie-Chalmers
For the very first time a mild heart murmur was heard during his heart check. He was bright and well, and he had no other symptoms of heart disease, however, I did advise his owner to arrange for another appointment and some additional tests.
Close monitoring and regular check-ups would be advised now that his heart murmur had been detected.
Cardiomyopathy is the name given to any disease affecting the heart muscle. This is the most common form of heart disease in cats, and the most common cause of heart failure.
Inverness vet Alison Laurie-Chalmers recommends close monitoring and regular check-ups for cats with a heart murmur.
There are four main classifications of cat cardiomyopathies: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, restrictive cardiomyopathy and intermediate cardiomyopathy.
Although in most cases the cause is unknown, there are some potential underlying disease processes, for example hyperthyroidism. Also, a genetic predisposition to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has been recognised in certain pure-bred cats such as maine coons and rag dolls.
In cardiomyopathy, the abnormality of the cardiac muscle leads to a compromise in cardiac function. In the initial phases of heart disease many cats may show no signs at all. In some cats the progression of heart disease is slow, while in others it can be quite rapid.
Early signs of heart disease may be detectable during a clinical examination by your vet. Some cats though are clinically asymptomatic, although they may go on to develop clinical signs later. This is one of the reasons why they should be checked at least once a year.
If a cat’s heart function becomes significantly impaired in time by a cardiomyopathy this will lead to heart failure, where there is compromise to blood flow through the heart and blood output from the heart.
Cats are very good at hiding signs of disease. They spend a lot of their time sleeping and are not taken out for exercise, so it is much more difficult to detect that they may have any reduced exercise ability – an early sign of heart disease.
In cats, the most common sign of heart failure is the development of difficult breathing, shown by an increased effort and rate of respiration. This is caused by a build-up of fluid within, or around, the lungs.
Some cats may have cold extremities of their ears and paws and may have pale gums, suggesting a poor circulation. Coughing is very occasionally seen in cats with heart disease. Another worrying sign which can occur in cats is the development of what is known as feline aortic thromboembolism. This is a severe complication and can cause a sudden onset of paralysis to one or both back legs, with some discomfort and distress.
Various diagnostic tests can be done to assist in the diagnosis of heart disease.
If there is an underlying disease, then treating this may also help to also assist and improve cardiac function. Where heart failure develops due to a progressing cardiomyopathy, drug treatments are available to help stabilise and hopefully manage the condition.
If you have concerns, contact your vet for advice and assistance during these difficult times.
Alison Laurie-Chalmers is a senior consultant at Crown Vets in Inverness.
