Congenital and acquired heart diseases in cats. Symptoms and treatment of heart failure in cats

Heart disease, both congenital and acquired, is quite common in cats. Their characteristic feature is a constant progression, the onset is usually missed due to non-specificity or lack of visible symptoms. Since impaired pumping function leads to deterioration in the functioning of other organs, cardiac pathologies directly affect the length and quality of life of a cat.

Causes of heart disease in cats

Factors leading to damage to the heart muscle have different development mechanisms. Among them are:

• Valve pathologies (stenosis, atresia, aplasia).
• Insufficient compression or incomplete relaxation of the myocardium.
• Arrhythmias.
• Vascular diseases that result in increased resistance to blood flow.
• Shunts between the chambers of the heart.
• Heartworm infection.
• Influence of infectious agents.

In most cases, heart failure develops as a result of these factors. If there is insufficient outflow of blood from the organs, then it is accordingly called stagnation.

Heart disease in cats symptoms

There are many diseases that affect the heart muscle. The symptoms are quite extensive, therefore there are several main factors by which classification occurs in the future:

• Origin of the disease. There are congenital and acquired pathologies, which affects the speed of manifestation of the first symptoms.
• Impact external factors. Common causes of heart disease are infections, injuries, and degenerative processes.
• Duration. Heart diseases in cats are divided into acute, subacute, and chronic.
• Clinical status according to which treatment is prescribed. This includes left and right ventricular failure, dysfunction of both ventricles, atrial pathologies, valve diseases, and so on.
• Visualized defects. The causes of heart disease in cats can be defects in the septa between its different parts, valvular insufficiency, complete absence functional important structures or their dispositions (vices).

Owners most often notice breathing problems in sick cats. Shortness of breath is perceived as a sign of acute pathology, but in fact it develops over months, sometimes years. Its appearance indicates severe damage to the heart, when failure reaches its peak and internal organs (primarily the brain) receive an insufficient amount of oxygen. Some cases of shortness of breath develop due to increased pressure in the pulmonary vessels, which also indicates the severity of the pathology.

Changes in the animal's body weight are possible. Fluctuations reach 500g within a week. Weight disorders include both rapid weight gain and sudden weight loss.

Cough - nonspecific sign heart disease, almost indistinguishable from an animal trying to regurgitate something. A dry, frequently recurring cough, which is not associated with meals, and often occurs after physical activity or exposure to stress factors.

Paralysis, weakness of the limbs (usually pelvic). A complex symptom complex, the root cause of which is the formation of blood clots in the chambers of the heart. They are able to enter the bloodstream and obstruct the arteries supplying blood different areas bodies. The arteries of the pelvic limbs are often clogged, but damage to the kidneys, brain, front legs and other parts of the body is also possible.

Signs of heart disease in cats in the initial stages are usually nonspecific, which complicates diagnostic measures.

Diagnostics

To make a diagnosis, carry out:

• Anamnesis collection, including the nature of visible manifestations and the time of their onset.
• Appearance of the animal. Congestion in the left and right sections has different development mechanisms, which is reflected in the appearance of the cat.
• Physical examinations. Standard percussion and auscultation – informative method diagnosis of cardiac pathologies. They allow you to detect the expansion of the boundaries of the organ and hear noises without resorting to expensive procedures.
• Lab tests. With chronic damage to the heart muscle, changes in the results of clinical and biochemical studies can be detected.
• Instrumental examination. X-ray allows you to see changes in the shape and size of the heart, but the decisive method in making a diagnosis is echocardiography, which allows you to visualize the movement of blood through the chambers, assess the functional state of the valves and walls, and determine the load volume.
• IN in some cases Cardiac catheterization is performed, which is considered a specific method. Using a flexible tube inserted into the heart cavity, not only the functional, but also the anatomical condition of the walls and septa are assessed.

Heart disease in cats treatment

After diagnosis, the veterinarian develops a treatment plan, including medications, follow-up visits, and diet changes.

The main goals of therapy are to slow down destructive processes in the heart, prevent the appearance of fluid in the lungs, and normalize blood circulation and heart rate.

Depending on the specific disease, the following medications may be prescribed:

• Antihypertensive drugs.
• Diuretics.
• Anticoagulants.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Cardiac glycosides.
• General strengthening drugs – vitamins, immunostimulants.

Some heart diseases in cats that can be treated medications ineffective and require surgical correction. It is aimed at correcting anatomical defects, alleviating functional load and optimizing ejection.

Dear patients, in our clinic your animal can receive a complete cardiological examination, assessment of cardiac function vascular system and consultation with a veterinary cardiologist. Cardiological examination and appointment are conducted by doctors - Lidiya Mikhailovna Biryukova and Olga Vladimirovna Evstifeeva.

What is heart failure in cats? In short, this is a condition when the heart is unable to provide sufficient blood flow.

Description of the disease

To put it simply, this is not one disease, but several, i.e. complex of diseases. But they all lead to disruption of its contractile function.

It follows from this that they lead to impaired blood circulation throughout the cat’s body. It is worth taking this as seriously as possible, because the animal’s body is literally balancing “on the brink.”

In critical cases (that is, this does not always happen), the “power” of the heart is only enough to supply tissues and organs with oxygen and various nutrients only in calm state.

It's terrible, but when he comes out of this state, for example, he starts jumping and running, he shows signs of asphyxia.

Important!

It is worth noting that heart failure in cats (unlike in humans) is uncommon.

The fact that this phenomenon is rare is due to the biochemistry of cats. More precisely, their body. This was also linked to the nutritional characteristics of cats. Most often, the described disease develops in animals that are at least 6 years old.

But, unfortunately, there are exceptions. Sometimes this diagnosis is made at the age of one and a half years. This happens in cases with a congenital defect.

Symptoms

They are not obvious all the time. Classic symptoms are shortness of breath, increased fatigue and fainting.

The majority of cats lead a sedentary lifestyle, so these symptoms are often invisible to the owners. Especially if they belong to the category of always busy people.

Most often, the first symptom that the owner notices is pulmonary edema. That is, severe respiratory failure.

Another symptom of this disease is paralysis of the hind legs. Its cause is thromboembolism of the abdominal aorta.

Help with fainting

Fainting itself is a very serious symptom in cats. Most often, this means that the brain vessels do not have enough blood.

Symptoms of fainting: sudden fall, nausea, weak, thready pulse.

And, of course, in this state the animal stops reacting to anything. Including your own nickname.

How to help an animal?

1. Ensure receipt fresh air and free breathing.
2. Place ice in a bubble and a handkerchief soaked in water on your head.
3. The head and body need to be watered.
4. The animal must be put down back place above the front (meaning limbs and head).
5. This is how it will go to the brain more blood, and the fainting will pass.
6. When the cat comes to her senses, you definitely need to see her. If she cannot drink on her own, you need to pour water into her cheek in small portions.
7. After everything is over, the animal needs to be allowed to rest. Drink sweet, strong, lukewarm tea.
8. You can feed her no earlier than an hour to an hour and a half after she comes to her senses.

Acute heart failure in cats

In humans, it occurs if the blood supply to the myocardium is severely disrupted. In cats, unlike them, there is no main provoking factor. This feature lies in their diet. It does not clog blood vessels, unlike human food, with cholesterol plaques.

Most often, this disease occurs due to an imbalance of the nervous and endocrine systems. Due to stressful situations.

Chronic failure

This is the name of the condition that occurs in the presence of systolic and/or diastolic dysfunction.

It is accompanied by prolonged hyperactivation of neurohormonal systems, as well as the following clinically manifested symptoms: shortness of breath, weakness, increased heart sounds and excessive fluid retention.

Chronic failure in cats can develop against the background of virtually any heart disease. The reason depends on each specific case.

Causes and diagnosis

Causes

The reasons may be as follows:

1. Congenital heart pathologies. They are very rare in cats. In approximately 2% of all cases.
2. Diseases of the heart muscle caused by infections.
3. Heartworms (yes, there are such types of worms), their larvae are found in mosquitoes. When a mosquito bites a cat, they enter the bloodstream. They then settle in the pulmonary artery. They can reach up to 30 cm! Because they are present in circulatory system, they seriously interfere with the outflow of blood and cause enormous damage to the arteries. Adult worms literally entangle the heart, preventing it from working. These pests can only be identified using a blood test.
4. Cardiomyopathy, it is caused by an inadequate diet in cats. Usually, pets do not have enough taurine. It is contained in and raw fish. Is it possible to feed a cat boiled fish or meat? It’s possible, but she still won’t get the right amount of taurine. When cooked, this substance is destroyed.
5. Metabolic disease. Sometimes it is caused by an incorrectly structured diet.
6. . Heart failure most often occurs in cats over 6 years of age.

Diagnostics

It must be carried out by a qualified veterinarian - a cardiologist in order to prescribe the correct treatment.

Typically it includes:

• blood analysis;
• urine;
• chest x-ray.

It goes without saying that if a cat is diagnosed with this, it needs to be excluded from planning according to.

Predisposed Breeds

Some cat breeds are more prone to heart failure. These are the following breeds:

• ragdolls;
• Maine Coons;
• British;
• Scots;
• Norwegian forest;
• sphinxes;
• some other breeds.

Treatment

How to treat a cat with heart failure?

• Provide the animal with complete rest. You need to protect him from absolutely any stress. Be it a trip in public transport, the arrival of guests, or even a running vacuum cleaner.
• Treatment with diuretics. But only those approved by the veterinarian. They will take you out excess liquid from the body. During the course of the disease, it accumulates near the lungs and causes swelling. More precisely, it can cause. Fluid may also accumulate in the chest, causing pleurisy. She may also be in abdominal cavity, and cause ascites. What happens if the amount of fluid in the body decreases? The load on the heart will also decrease.
• It is very important that the diet is balanced.
• Treatment with ACE inhibitors. These medications reduce the workload on the heart. And they increase blood flow.
• If fluid has collected around an organ, the veterinarian will drain the fluid. The cat will feel relief. Unfortunately, not for long. How is this procedure carried out? A sterile needle is inserted into the desired location.

Prevention

The most important prevention is changing the animal’s lifestyle to a more active one.

If a cat does not eat properly and, as a logical consequence, suffers from obesity, these are the main enemies for her heart. Therefore, an attentive owner should also ensure that the cat has plenty of healthy (!) food.

If a cat does not eat properly and, as a logical consequence, suffers from obesity, these are the main enemies for her heart.

Also, for prevention, after acquiring (or if the owner found it or took it for free, but after this acquisition), the pet must be examined at a veterinary clinic; in case of any risk, the cat must be checked at least once a year.

Attention!

Cats with a “sofa” lifestyle are more likely to develop diseases such as heart failure.

Treatment consists of drug therapy, which will make the work of the heart easier, will eliminate pain, will make better blood circulation, as well as nutrition of the myocardium, since, unfortunately, heart surgery is not performed in cats.

Useful video

The video below shows how a cat behaves with heart disease and fluid in the lungs, what signs indicate the disease.

Conclusion

Heart failure in cats is difficult, but at the same time treatable. If the cat owner was attentive. A timely prevention will significantly facilitate and prolong the life of the cat.

Heart disease can develop significantly before it is noticed, especially affecting domestic cats with a "couch" lifestyle. Early recognition of clinical signs may help in such cases. Kittens with congenital heart defects grow slowly, are less active, have shortness of breath and generally poor condition, as well as a pounding heartbeat.

If affected left-hand side heart disease, signs most often include shortness of breath and noisy breathing. If affected Right side, then the cat may have an enlarged abdomen due to the accumulation of fluid in it. A shunt that disrupts normal blood circulation and valve damage causes a heart murmur. Murmurs are sounds that occur when blood moves under pressure through an opening that is larger or smaller than normal.

Congenital heart diseases.

These are diseases that animals are born with. The incidence of congenital heart disease is quite low, only 1-2% of kittens are born with this pathology. Cats Siamese breed are hereditarily predisposed to certain congenital heart diseases.

FIBROELASTOSIS OF ENDOCARDIAL.
This defect is most common in Siamese and Burmese cats and is characterized by enlargement of the left ventricular wall and transformation of the endocardium into a dense fibroelastic membrane. Over time, the leaves of the aortic valve become different in size and thickness. Kittens with FE may have shortness of breath and sometimes breathe with their mouths open. These signs are first observed between three weeks and four months of age. Death may occur without clinical signs occurring. Treatment rarely helps.

INSUFFICIENCY OF THE ATRIOVENTRICULAR VALVE.
Mitral and tricuspid valve defects in cats are more common in cats than in other animal species. Cats may have unusually thick or malformed valves, or valves that are not properly attached to the heart wall. Each of these defects results in insufficient valve function. With right/left-sided lesions, corresponding clinical signs appear.

Treatment includes pharmacotherapy with diuretics to reduce the workload of the heart and possibly digitalis to strengthen the heart muscle. In many cases, kitten owners contact the veterinarian too late.

NON-CLUSION OF THE DUCTUS BOTALLOS.
The ductus botallus is a vessel that connects the aorta to the pulmonary artery in the fetus to provide blood circulation bypassing the non-functioning lungs. A patent duct is diagnosed if the connection between these vessels is preserved after the start of breathing. Normally, the ductus Botallus closes anatomically within three days after the first inhalation. If infection does not occur, signs are observed at the age of 1 month to 5 years.

The diagnosis is made based on listening to heart murmurs, visible changes in the electrocardiogram, and interpretation of contrast radiography of the heart. Treatment consists of surgical ligation (closing) of the duct. Normal life cats can be continued if the operation is undertaken in a timely manner and the duct has not recovered. Without surgery, the prognosis is usually poor.

SEPTAL DEFECT.
A ventricular septal defect means there is a hole between the ventricles of the heart that allows blood from the left ventricle to flow into the right ventricle (shunt). This is one of the most common birth defects in cats. An atrial septal defect (hole between the atria) may also be present. There are often no unusual clinical signs of this disease. If signs do appear, they are usually respiratory complications such as shortness of breath and cough.

Tests used by veterinarians to detect a septal defect include radiography of the lungs and heart, echocardiography (an ultrasound test), and cardiac catheterization for selective angiography (a form of radiography that uses radiocontrast to visualize blood vessels and changes in the heart).

Treatment includes diuretics and digitalis (a substance that increases the force of heart contractions and reduces their rate). The prognosis is poor if the defect is significant, since surgical treatment is not yet available for cats.

STENOSIS OF THE AORTA AND PULMONARY ARTERY.
Stenosis is a narrowing on or near a valve. Aortic stenosis (narrowing of the aortic valve) restricts blood flow from the left ventricle. The left ventricle is forced to work harder to provide the necessary circulation, which manifests itself in an increase in the size of the heart muscle (hypertrophy). Clinical signs as in left-sided insufficiency: difficult and noisy breathing.

Pulmonary stenosis, in which the opening of the pulmonary artery is affected, causes a similar effect, but from the right ventricle. Signs indicate right-sided insufficiency: Enlargement of the abdomen due to the accumulation of fluid in it.

The only treatment method is surgical. Because it requires special equipment, etc. it is currently unavailable.

Tetralogy of Fallot (four simultaneous defects).
It's complicated heart defect, including pulmonary stenosis, dextraposition of the aorta (in such a way that it begins in the interventricular septum and receives arterial and venous blood, right ventricular hypertrophy and ventricular septal defect. Blood is shunted between the right and left ventricles, bypassing the lungs. Signs of this disorder typically include emaciation, cyanotic skin, exercise intolerance, and slow growth. Diagnostic procedures performed by veterinarians may consist of electrocardiography, echocardiography and radiography. Treatment can be conservative or surgical. As always, the surgical method requires appropriate equipment. The forecast is cautious.

RIGHT AORTIC ARCH.
This birth defect is rare in cats. During embryonic development, the aorta is formed from the right embryonic arch much less frequently than from the left. As a result, the aorta forms to the right of the trachea and esophagus. As the pulmonary veins develop normally (above the left side of the trachea and esophagus), the esophagus begins to become pinched between the major blood vessels. Vomiting is a consequence of this strangulation. Surgically the problem can be solved.

Acquired heart diseases.

These are heart diseases that do not exist at birth, but develop during life. They can be of a primary or secondary nature.

ARRHYTHMIAS (heart rhythm disturbances).
Changes in the heart's electrical impulses disrupt the natural rhythm of the heart, causing various arrhythmias. Oxygen deficiency in the heart muscle, disorders acid-base balance, electrolyte disturbances, drugs, toxins, and heart disease can all cause arrhythmias. Most cardiac disorders associated with electrolyte imbalance occur in response to changes in serum potassium levels. An imbalance in calcium, sodium, magnesium, and hydrogen can also cause critical disturbances in myocardial conductivity.

Atrial and ventricular extrasystoles occur when there are premature electrical impulses originating outside the sinoatrial node (natural pacemaker). They are often placed in cats with hypokalemia ( reduced content serum potassium). Hypokalemia may occur with chronic episodes of severe vomiting or diarrhea, or with excessive loss of potassium in the urine (kidney disease, due to the use of diuretics or insulin). Treatment is based on correcting the cause of hypokalemia (for example: gastrointestinal, kidney problems) and infusion of potassium supplements.

Atrial and/or ventricular fibrillation occurs when the heart generates erratic electrical impulses that prevent the heart muscle from contracting fully. Atrial fibrillation is uncommon in cats, probably due to small size heart, but if recorded, it is usually due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (enlargement of the heart muscle).

Bradycardia (lower than normal heart rate) is most common in cats with urethral obstruction (a blockage of the urinary tract). Obstruction causes electrolyte disturbances (excess potassium) and metabolic acidosis, which lowers the heart rate. Severe bradycardia and conduction abnormalities in these cases must be treated immediately to avoid death.

Tachycardia (increased heart rate above normal) can be caused by hyperthyroidism (excessive functional activity thyroid gland), known birth defects, and bacterial endocarditis (inflammation of the inner lining of the heart). Tachycardia may also be associated with fear, stress, anemia and fever.

Typically, decreased cardiac output associated with arrhythmias results in decreased blood flow to the brain, spleen, and kidneys. Antiarrhythmic drugs can help in the treatment of arrhythmias, but therapy should be aimed at correcting the underlying cause of the arrhythmia.

ACQUIRED DISEASES OF THE HEART VALVES.

These are disorders in which one or more valves are affected by a primary pathological process. They can cause degenerative processes, systemic bacterial infections and chronic dental infections. A disease that affects the valves causes the edges of the valve to thicken and shrink, which prevents the valve from closing properly and causes blood to flow back. The result is decompensated heart failure.

Although bacterial endocarditis It is uncommon in cats and usually affects the left valves. Typical signs infections include fever, depression and decreased appetite.

To treat the infection, broad-spectrum antibiotics are administered. If heart lesions are due to infection, your veterinarian may prescribe heart medications and diuretics to support heart function. The prognosis is favorable if treatment for bacterial endocarditis is started in a timely manner.

MYOCARDIAL DISEASES.
Cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy is a primary disease affecting the heart muscle. Final result diseases - inability of the heart to compensate for stress, heart failure. Hereditary pathology, viral diseases, autoimmune mechanisms, biochemical abnormalities and dietary deficiencies (eg taurine) may be involved in the development of cardiomyopathy.

Cardiomyopathies are divided into hypertrophic, dilating and contracting. There is an increasing number of cats whose heart disease cannot be classified within just these three categories. Middle aged males famous breeds more predisposed to cardiomyopathies. Most of the established signs (difficulty breathing, lameness or paralysis, depression and ascites) resulted from arrhythmias, decompensated heart failure or blood clotting. At further stages, collapse may occur. It occurs when breathing or circulation is partially or completely temporarily interrupted due to obstruction of arterial blood flow.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). HCM is the most common form of acquired heart disease in cats, predominantly affecting young to middle-aged males. This is an enlargement of the left ventricular wall, papillary muscles and septum, which limits the size of the left ventricular cavity. This type of enlargement prevents the heart from stretching adequately to receive blood, so cardiac output decreases. The incidence of thrombosis is slightly higher than with other forms of cardiomyopathy. The dynamics of this thrombosis are directly related to the limitation of ventricular filling, which allows blood to remain in the left atrium for a long time, which gives a great chance for the formation of clots.

Signs suggestive of HCM include difficulty noisy breathing, depression, decreased appetite, and possibly lameness or paralysis hind limb due to thrombosis.

The prognosis is favorable if arrhythmia and blood clotting can be controlled with medications. Treatment usually consists of negative inotropes (substances that affect the force of muscle contractions), diuretics, and control doses of aspirin.

Dilational cardiomyopathy (DCM). RCM occurs primarily in middle-aged and old cats. The incidence of RCM in Siamese, Abyssinian and Burmese cats is also increased.

RCM - enlargement of all cavities of the heart. This expansion occurs as a result of muscle cells stretching, thereby thinning and weakening the heart wall.

Research has shown that taurine deficiency (an essential amino acid) may be a cause of RCM. Manufacturers cat food add taurine sources according to the latest tauine guidelines for cats.

Progression of the disease often leads to decompensated heart failure (DHF), especially if the animal is not treated. DHF is characterized by depression and emaciation due to decreased cardiac output. If the right ventricle or both ventricles function in concert, fluid accumulates in the chest cavity and minimally - in the abdominal. Cardiogenic shock or fatal arrhythmia is often the cause of death in DHF.

Containing cardiomyopathy (endocardial fibrosis). Containment cardiomyopathy is rare in cats. With this disease fibrous tissue covers the heart muscle, causing heart rigidity. This reduces the heart's ability to stretch and contract. Older cats are predominantly affected.

Diuretics and digitalis can be used for treatment. A low-salt diet may also be beneficial. The long-term prognosis is cautious.

DIAGNOSTICS OF CARDIOMYOPATHIES.
Diagnostic testing undertaken by a veterinarian may include an electrocardiogram, radiography, biochemical and hematological blood tests. These tests cannot differentiate between types of cardiomyopathies; they can only provide information about the vital functions of other organs. This information is important for choosing the appropriate treatment. Exclusive tests such as echocardiography and angiography, which advanced veterinary clinics or veterinary colleges can afford, can differentiate between types of cardiomyopathies.

DRUGS USED FOR TREATMENT.
Treatment is aimed at reducing the load on the heart and improving blood oxygenation. The therapeutic regimen varies depending on the type and severity of cardiomyopathy. Patients may also benefit from a low-sodium diet to prevent fluid retention. Some drugs used by veterinarians:

Furosemide is a diuretic prescribed for cats in cases of pulmonary edema (fluid accumulation in the lungs). The primary effect of furosemide is to block sodium reabsorption.

Digitalis increases the strength of heart contractions and reduces the frequency. Therefore, the drug is used to control atrial tachyarrhythmias (acute irregular heart rhythm). Veterinarians must exercise strict supervision over the dosage of the drug due to its toxicity. Acute manifestations it is associated with vomiting, decreased appetite and diarrhea.

Vasodilators (nitroglycerin, hydralysine, capopril, etc.) affect blood vessels, usually reducing their peripheral resistance. This effect is important in counteracting the vasoconstriction that occurs in heart failure. Vasodilators can prevent pulmonary edema by reducing pressure in the pulmonary circulation.

Propranolol improves ventricular filling by prolonging atrial conduction time. In combination with digoxin, it reduces the ventricular rate in atrial fibrillation. Propranolol should not be used in cats with asthma, bradycardia, and some types of heart failure.

Dobutamine (Dobutex) is used intravenously for acute heart failure.

SECONDARY MYOCARDIAL DISEASES.
Infectious myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle caused by an invasive or infectious agent such as a bacterium, virus, fungus or protozoan. Treatment consists of a combination of a diuretic and an anticoagulant.

KIDNEY DISEASES.
When the kidneys are damaged, they cannot function adequately. This dysfunction also affects cardiovascular system. The kidneys produce erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates the formation of red blood cells. Kidney diseases reduce the production of erythropoietin, which leads to anemia. Anemia stimulates the circulatory system to increase circulation.

When the kidneys are unable to remove waste, the accumulated toxins stimulate vomiting and diarrhea, which flushes out potassium. This deficiency is further aggravated when the added potassium is excreted in the urine. As a result, hypokalemia causes atrial and ventricular extrasystole.

Hypertension (abnormal increase blood pressure) develops because the kidneys cannot remove adequate amounts of sodium from the body. Sodium retention leads to fluid retention in the body, which causes circulatory failure. Chronic hypertension is the cause of cardiac hypertrophy, because. the heart must work harder to counteract hypertension.

Treatment includes diuretics to remove excess fluid, propranolol, and a vasodilator (hydralysine).

HYPERKINETIC CIRCULATION DISORDERS.
These are cardiovascular diseases that cause increased cardiac output. Cardiac output depends on the heart rate and the volume of blood ejected into the aorta during contraction of the left ventricle. Causes include hyperthyroidism, severe anemia, and arteriovenous anastomosis.

Hyperthyroidism. Cats with hyperthyroidism produce an excess of the hormone thyroxine. Thyroxine directly increases metabolic rate and heart rate. Increased metabolism and oxygen consumption in hyperthyroidism leads to the production of excess heat, which in turn leads to vasodilatation (vasodilation). As a result, blood flow in the vessels increases and the heart rate increases. As the heart rate increases and the oxygen demand of peripheral tissues increases, the work of the heart increases. Cardiac hypertrophy develops over a period of time.

Approximately 50% of cats with hyperthyroidism have an enlarged heart, as determined by ECG, x-ray, or echocardiography.

Anemia. Severe chronic anemia stimulates increased circulation to compensate for the decreased number of red blood cells (oxygen carriers). This is manifested by an increase in heart rate and an increase in the diameter of blood vessels (vasodilation). Treatment is aimed at correcting the underlying cause.

Arteriovenous anastomosis. Arteriovenous anastomosis is an abnormal direct connection between an artery and a vein, bypassing the capillaries. A birth defect and, less commonly, penetrating injury may cause a shunt. Cardiac output increases if bypass surgery results in significant return of blood into the venous system. The incidence of arteriovenous anastomosis in cats is low.

Treatment consists of surgical closure of the shunt. If decompensated heart failure has developed, it is necessary to carry out appropriate drug preparation before surgery.

PERICARDIAL DISEASES.
Cats rarely suffer from these diseases. Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) and decompensated heart failure are the most common causes of acquired pericardial disease. The primary manifestation of these diseases is cardiac tamponade (compression of the heart by fluid filling the heart sac). This compresses the heart and reduces its ability to stretch and contract. Echocardiography in such cases is decisive diagnostic procedure.

Treatment is based on identifying and eliminating the cause. Primary relief of pressure in the cardiac membrane can be achieved by pericardiocentesis (aspiration of pericardial fluid through a needle puncture). The extracted fluid is analyzed to determine the cause of pericardial effusion. Antibiotics, steroids and diuretics may be used for treatment. Surgery may be indicated to relieve constrictive pericarditis. If the cause is found to be FIP, the prognosis is poor.

HEARTHELMINTHS.
Fortunately, cats are facultative hosts for heartworms, but the disease can still occur in them.

BLOOD VESSELS.
Various problems can affect the blood vessels, such as thrombosis from blood clots or increased blood pressure due to hypertension.

ARTERY THROMBOEMBOLISM.
The arteries become blocked by blood clots (emboli) that block the lumen. Causes include cardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease, bacterial endocarditis, cardiac trauma (eg, cardiac surgery, catheterization, penetrating cardiac injury), or injury to the aorta or peripheral arteries.

Signs of arterial thromboembolism appear in the area of ​​obstruction. For example, if the femoral artery is blocked, the cat may experience lameness or paralysis of the limb whose blood supply has been affected. If the blood supply to the brain is affected, then the signs are neurological in nature: head tilt, incoordination, sudden death.

Tests to aid in diagnosis include electrocardiography, angiography, and biochemical research blood. Treatment depends on the location of the occlusion and its cause and may consist of anticoagulants, vasodilators, and platelet suppressors. Follow-up visits are important to monitor your cat's progress in treatment.

Arteritis (vasculitis). It is an inflammation of the artery wall caused secondary to infectious agents such as FIP, bacterial endocarditis, heartworms, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, arthritis, or medications.

Signs depend on the severity and location of damage to the arterial wall. Usually initial signs include depression, decreased appetite, weight loss, increased thirst and polyuria, lameness and pain. More advanced signs include neurological symptoms, progressive renal failure, diarrhea, abdominal pain, sudden bleeding and skin ulceration.

Because the disease is multisystem, the list of diagnostic tests used by veterinarians to determine the primary cause can be extensive. Treatment depends on the cause.

BLOOD.

For hemorrhagic and hemolytic anemia Blood transfusion can play a life-saving role until the cause is eliminated. Unfortunately, the inadequate production of red blood cells in FeLV is irreversible, and therefore the prognosis for FeLV-induced anemias is usually poor, although the life of affected cats can be prolonged in some cases with blood transfusions and symptomatic treatment of secondary diseases.

In FeLV-negative cats whose bone marrow has been damaged by toxins or drugs, blood transfusions can buy time for the brain to recover. Sometimes the bone marrow responds to stimulation with steroids and anabolic hormones. If this does not happen, bone marrow transfusion from a donor cat may be helpful.

POLYCYTHEMIA.
Polycythemia is general increase the number of red blood cells in the blood, resulting from excess bone marrow activity. Physiological compensatory polycythemia can occur as a response to a lack of oxygen in the tissues (for example, in pulmonary or cardiovascular diseases). Relative polycythemia occurs when plasma volume is reduced and red blood cell concentration is increased (dehydration). Polycythemia vera is a myeloproliferative disorder of unknown cause in which the number of not only red blood cells, but also white blood cells and platelets increases. Polycythemia vera is quite common in humans, but rare in cats. Good long-term control in humans consists of periodic blood testing and phlebotomy to maintain the hematocrit around 45%. When the platelet count rises to a level dangerous education clots, thrombosis, embolism, drugs that have a suppressive effect on the bone marrow are used. IN in rare cases Polycythemia develops with leukemia.

LEUKOCYTE DISORDERS.
Septicemia (blood poisoning). White blood cells play an important role in protecting the body from various harmful influences, especially against injuries and infections. They quickly migrate to the site of injury or to a foreign body, suppressing infectious organisms. When the lesion is local, the response may also be local, but in systemic infections, especially if bacteria or their toxins are present in the blood (septicemia), total leukocytes can sharply increase with the formation of juvenile forms. In cases of severe septicemia, the white blood cell count may drop below normal - a fatal sign. Although white blood cells often fight off infection, long-term infections require treatment with antibiotics. Antibiotics are often selected by veterinarians based on research, so culture of pus, tissue, or blood with antibiotic sensitivity titration may be required.

It is rare to observe abnormalities in the structure of leukocytes in cats during microscopic examination.

Chediak-Higashi syndrome. This inherited autosomal (not sexual) recessive trait described in Persian cats. Normal Smokey Blue Persians have copper-colored irises. Affected Persian cats have yellow-green irises with unusual plexuses. Microscopically, they are characterized by round eosinophilic inclusions (granules) in which neutrophils, lymphocytes and eosinophils are found. These inclusions are not related to hypersensitivity affected cats to infections. However, a tendency to bleeding has been described. No severe or progressive symptoms have been reported clinical diseases in Persian cats with this syndrome.

Perget-Huet disorder. This disorder has been described in cats and is characterized by nuclear deficiency in segmental granulocytes, which can lead to damage to the function of the latter.

Mucopolysaccharidosis. A group of congenital disorders in cats characterized by inclusions (granules) in neutrophils and lymphocytes. The cause of the disease is enzyme deficiency.

Leukemia. Leukemia is a form of myeloproliferative disease or cancer that causes malignant transformation of white blood cells. Abnormal white blood cells, unable to perform protective functions against various pathogens, reproduce in excess numbers in the bone marrow, suppressing the production of red blood cells. Feline leukemia virus is the most common cause of leukemia.

MYELOPROLIFERATIVE DISORDERS.
These disorders may involve certain types of bone marrow cells. Their formation usually leads to leukemia, which is characterized by a corresponding proliferation of the cells involved: granulocytic or myelogenous (neutrophilic group), eosinophilic or basophilic. Red blood cell proliferation (erythraemic myelosis) also occurs, as do leukemias involving cells of non-medullary origin (lymphocytes, monocytes, plasma cells and mast cells. Feline leukemia virus may be the cause of most of these diseases.

Signs may include weakness, pale mucous membranes, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, liver and spleen, tendency to bleeding. Diagnostic tests include hematology analysis, FeLV test and bone marrow aspiration. Treatment of myeloproliferative diseases in cats is ineffective.

The prognosis for all forms of myeloproliferative diseases is poor. Unlike lymphosarcoma (lymphoma), which is sometimes curable, it is not a localized tumor but a systemic disease; Chemotherapy and radiation may be helpful, but they damage the bone marrow. The possibility of transplanting healthy bone marrow into cats in place of the removed diseased tissue is being investigated.

PLATELET DISORDERS.
Platelets, or blood platelets, are disc-shaped, anucleate cells formed in the bone marrow from megakaryocytes. They are necessary for proper education blood clots. Therefore, platelet disorders alter blood clotting time.

Thrombocytopenia. Premature destruction or insufficient production of platelets leads to a decrease in the number of platelets in circulation. A more obvious indicator of thrombocytopenia is capillary bleeding (from the gums, from the nose) and reddened areas on the skin. Anemia may also present.

Diagnostic tests used for differential diagnosis may include platelet count, prothrombin time, complete hematologic analysis, bone marrow aspirate, various immunologic tests (eg, antinuclear antibodies, rheumatoid factors), and Coombs' test.

Primary treatment is aimed at controlling bleeding. Blood transfusion may be necessary at this stage. Drugs used for treatment include corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive drugs that stimulate platelet production. Splenectomy may be helpful in treatment because the spleen is the main site where platelet destruction and production of antiplatelet antibodies occurs.

Follow-up is necessary to monitor the progress of treatment. Relapses can occur suddenly, due to vaccination with live virus vaccines, infections, estrus or pregnancy.

Immunological destruction of platelets (occurring as a result of an antigen-antibody reaction against host tissue) is less common in cats than in dogs. This disorder may be caused by an autoimmune disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus, tumors, or infections.
Non-immunological platelet destruction or platelet injury can be caused by vaccination with live virus vaccines, vascular diseases, known drugs and infectious agents (Rocky Mountain fever).

Decreased platelet production may be caused by bone marrow suppression, feline leukemia virus, chemical toxins, immunological disorders, or radiation. Of the diagnostic tests, bone marrow examination is decisive for this pathology.

Thrombocytosis. This is an abnormal increase in the number of platelets circulating in the blood. Thrombocytosis may be caused by myeloproliferative disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, cirrhosis of the liver, malignant tumors, osteomyelitis or platelet release from the spleen.

Signs and diagnostic tests the same as for thrombocytopenia, of course the test results are opposite. Treatment is aimed at the underlying cause.

MIXED COAGULATION DISORDERS.
Disorders of the blood clotting mechanism are rarely observed in cats. Birth defects in cats can be caused by deficiencies of clotting factors VII and XII. In such cases, blood clot formation is insufficient and bleeding may recur (hemophilia). This condition is most effectively treated with whole blood or plasma transfusion.

The liver requires vitamin K to produce clotting factors VII, IX and X. Rodenticides containing coumarins or indanedione can destroy vitamin K, leading to bleeding. Outdoor cats are more susceptible to rodenticide poisoning because they have a greater likelihood of eating poisoned rodents. Treatment consists of administering vitamin K for several days.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a secondary complication of various disorders. In disseminated intravascular coagulation, coagulation factors are activated by the primary cause, which leads to the formation of small clots in the arteioles. The body responds by producing chemically induced plasminogen, which dissolves the clots. During the dissolution process, anticoagulants are formed. The end result is hemorrhages. Treatment of DIC aimed at correcting the identified cause.

Heart disease in both dogs and cats is quite common. They can be both congenital and acquired (age-related).

Dogs

A disease such as heart disease in dogs occurs in 15 cases out of 100. There are congenital heart defects and acquired ones (due to age or excessive physical exertion).

Types of disease

Congenital heart defects include:

1. patent ductus arteriosus. This defect is typical for breeds such as Rottweiler, Poodle, Chihuahua, German Shepherd, Labrador, Doberman Pinscher and others. Treatment of this disease is only possible surgically. The prognosis is positive if there are no secondary changes in the right side of the heart muscle.
2. atrial septal defect. The essence of this defect is poor development or complete absence connective tissue between the atria. It is typical for Doberman Pinschers, Boxers and Medium Poodles. Unfortunately, surgical treatment is not practiced in Russia, and therapeutic treatment does not give the desired effect. Animals with this pathology do not live long.
3. defect interventricular septum . A disease similar to the previous one, differing only in the location of the defect. Characteristic of breeds such as Doberman Pinscher, English bulldog, boxer and some others. The prognosis is unfavorable. Animals don't live long.
4. pulmonary stenosis. Doberman pinscher, French and English bulldogs, mastiffs, Dogue de Bordeaux and others suffer from this defect. In severe cases of the disease, surgical intervention is possible, but the mortality rate of dogs after and during the operation is very high.
5. aortic stenosis (English bulldog, boxer, Labrador, mastiff, Rottweiler). The treatment is similar, the prognosis is unfavorable.
6. The most severe combined heart defect is tetralogy of Fallot. The English Bulldog is susceptible to it. Animals with this congenital disease rarely live beyond one year.

Symptoms

— Heart vibrations;

— Rapid or intermittent pulse;

- Drowsiness and weakness;

- Gums are bluish in color;

- weight loss.

Cough is not the main symptom in determining heart disease.

Forecast

Please remember that if your dog has birth defect heart disease, and not acquired as a result of natural aging of the body, then the prognosis is almost always unfavorable. Most animals die between six months and two to three years of age.

Treatment

By and large, treatment of heart defects in dogs is pointless, because it comes down to only maintenance therapy, which only mitigates the disorder of the heart, but does not eliminate the cause itself.

Cats

Unlike most dogs that lead an active lifestyle, cats are couch potatoes. It is very difficult to notice interruptions in their heart function. The percentage of congenital heart muscle defects is very small, no more than 3%. Kittens with this pathology rarely survive to adulthood due to frequent diseases, including infectious ones. As mentioned above, heart disease in cats, as a rule, is acquired after suffering endocarditis during life, and appears closer to old age. This is not immediately noticeable; cats spend little time in active physical activity, so it is extremely difficult for an unprepared owner to notice the beginning of the process.

Symptoms

In cats, the clinical picture is extremely weak, therefore, unlike dogs, symptoms of heart disease in cats are not always visible to the naked eye. Thus, a tight stomach, noisy breathing after minor physical exertion may be signs of disorders on the left side of the heart. Fatigue and poor appetite may also indicate heart problems. Cats suffer from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Maine Coons, Siberian cats, Sphynxes, and Bengals are especially susceptible to this disease.

Cats have the same heart defects as dogs, with the exception of patent ductus arteriosus, which cats rarely get.

Diagnostics of all diseases is complex. It is necessary to conduct an examination using specialized equipment - echocardiography.

Treatment

Treatment of all heart defects is symptomatic, aimed at compensating cardiac activity. First of all, this is rest, according to symptoms, a diuretic or laxative, cardiac glycosides, diet, lack of stress and excessive physical activity.

Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

veterinarian,

cardiologist at the clinic White Fang» — Mitino

The most common heart disease in cats is called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM). This is a pathology of the heart, accompanied by severe thickening of the heart muscle (myocardium) and leading to the development of heart failure, even death.

A distinctive feature of this disease is the insidious development of symptoms and the difficulty in treating late stages.

Heredity is to blame

The causes of the development of this disease have not yet been sufficiently studied, however, a number of studies have identified genetically inherited abnormalities that can lead to the development of HCM. It has been proven that representatives of the following breeds are especially predisposed to this pathology: Maine Coon. ragdoll, sphinx, british and american shorthair, scottish fold, norwegian forest cats and perhaps some others.

The mechanisms of inheritance of this disease have not yet been fully studied, but it has been proven that, for example, in the Maine Coon breed, HCM is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. At the same time, special tests (blood tests) are even common abroad to determine whether cats of this breed have corresponding deviations in the genotype. In Britain, for example, one in three Maine Coons are positive for HCM.

Hidden Killer

The mechanism of development of this pathology is that as the heart muscle thickens, the volume of the left ventricle decreases, as a result of which the volume of blood pumped through it decreases. Congestion develops, leading first to an enlargement of the left atrium, pulmonary veins, and then, in later stages, to the development of pulmonary edema and/or hydrothorax (accumulation of free fluid in the pleural cavity). Moreover, the insidiousness of this disease lies in the fact that the first symptom may be pulmonary edema and/or death. In some cases, symptoms such as shortness of breath (breathing with an open mouth) and poor exercise tolerance may appear in the early stages.

One of the most frequent complications HCM, which sometimes manifests itself against the background of the cat’s absolute visible well-being, is thromboembolism. Enlargement of the left atrium and stagnation of blood leads to an increased risk of blood clots, which in turn lead to blockage of vital vessels and sometimes death, especially if seeking veterinary help is delayed. Most often, blockage occurs at the level of the femoral arteries, in which case the first symptom will be sudden paralysis of the pelvic limbs and severe pain syndrome— the cat screams and doesn’t get up hind legs. In such cases, the count is in hours, if not minutes. The sooner the patient enters a specialized clinic, the greater the chance of restoring blood flow and minimizing the risk of complications.

Early diagnosis of the disease and its importance

Considering all of the above, it is extremely important timely diagnosis. The sooner the doctor begins treatment, the longer the patient can live and the lower the risk of developing adverse complications.

The most accurate method for diagnosing HCM is ECHO-cardiography - an ultrasound examination of the heart by a cardiologist. However, in some cases, additional chest x-ray and electrocardiography are also important.

During ultrasound examination The doctor carries out a series of measurements and calculations, obtaining clear objective data, based on which a conclusion is made whether the patient has a pathology or not, whether there is a risk of its development in the future.

Moreover, given the increased risks, it is especially important for representatives of the breeds described above to undergo such an examination. Proof of the special importance of this problem is, for example, the fact that in Western European countries it is legally prohibited to use for breeding or selling cats of risk group breeds that do not undergo regular examinations by a cardiologist for the presence of HCM-screening tests. Based on the results of such tests (ECHO-CG), the cat is issued a certificate confirming the absence of signs dangerous pathology. Similar tests with a certificate issued in English are also carried out in our clinic. The results of such tests are recognized by foreign colleagues. As a rule, such examinations of breeding cats are carried out annually, starting from the second year of life.

In addition, if you are the owner of a cat of one of the risk group breeds or have sometimes noticed the symptoms described above in your pet (no matter what breed) and are planning to do general anesthesia(for example, regarding castration or sterilization), it is highly advisable to undergo an examination by a cardiologist before anesthesia to ensure that your pet does not have HCM. Unfortunately, cases of serious complications (including pulmonary edema and death) are not uncommon in postoperative period(the first 2 weeks after anesthesia) in patients with a latent form of HCM.

Treatment of HCM

If the doctor nevertheless detects HCM in the patient, do not despair. There are modern effective treatment regimens for this disease, which are especially effective when identifying the disease at an early stage. The drug of choice for such patients is primarily beta blocker drugs. also, if necessary, medications are prescribed to prevent thromboembolism, diuretics, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, etc. However, it is important to remember that treatment should be prescribed by the attending doctor based on examination data; you should not self-medicate and get carried away “ folk remedies" Taking medications must be permanent; the patient must show up for scheduled follow-up examinations and not interrupt the prescribed treatment regimen.

HCM and breeding

It is extremely important to understand that if a cat is diagnosed with HCM, it is necessary to immediately remove it from breeding plans and have the entire line tested to avoid further dissemination pathology.

Our clinic has accumulated great experience diagnosis and treatment of patients diagnosed with HCM. We have all the necessary equipment and specialists at our disposal to help you with early diagnosis and treatment of this serious disease.

SIGNS OF A SICK CAT

Cats cannot complain about their health themselves, so their health is in your hands. You must closely monitor your animal, and at the first sign of discomfort, changes appearance or behavior to check if the cat is sick. Any deviation from normal behavior is a cause for concern.

If normally your cat behaves independently, but suddenly seeks your company and does not leave a single step from you or, conversely, does not leave its place all day, then try to find out what happened. Don't think that a cat's purring is a sign of health. Purring can sometimes indicate pain or illness. Unexpected aggression in an always calm and docile cat can be caused by pain, fever, concussion, infection, head injury, convulsions, or a diabetic crisis, which requires medical intervention.

A few words about what a healthy animal looks like.

A healthy cat has an excellent appetite, smooth and shiny wool, cold and wet nose (during sleep it can be dry and warm), mucous membranes are pink and moderately moist. Signs of an animal's health are also vigor and mobility. Important criteria Health assessments include temperature, pulse and respiration rate.

At illness The cat's behavior changes. She becomes lethargic, lies down more than usual, looks sad, tries to hide in a quiet darkened place, responds reluctantly to calls or, on the contrary, is overly excited, constantly moves around the apartment, meows pitifully or shows aggression. Movements may become awkward and coordination may be impaired. Signs of the onset of the disease are also fast fatiguability, loss of appetite, perhaps the cat does not eat anything, insomnia, or vice versa - increased drowsiness.

Normal temperature from 38 to 39 degrees (for small kittens - up to 39.6 degrees, and for sphinxes - up to 41.5). A rise in temperature above 40 may indicate the onset of the disease. But we should also not forget that the animal’s body temperature rises during excitement and fear, after physical exertion, as well as in hot weather, during poisoning, after electric shock or due to hyperfunction of the thyroid gland.

Remember, or better yet, write down your cat's normal resting body temperature.

Pulse reflects the frequency and rhythm of the heartbeat, as well as the strength of the heart muscle impulses. At rest, the heart rate of a healthy cat ranges from 110 to 150 beats per minute. U big cats and animals leading a calmer lifestyle have a slower heartbeat. The pulse increases when the temperature rises, during inflammatory processes, physical activity, overexcitation, fear and hot weather. In kittens and cats of small breeds, the pulse rate can reach 200 beats per minute; in cats, the pulse is lower than in cats.

Count and record your cat's resting heart rate - this will help you determine in the future whether its rate has changed in a given situation. It is enough to calculate the number of shocks in 15 seconds, and then multiply the resulting value by 4.

Frequency breathing cats can be easily identified by chest movements, abdominal wall or wings of the nose. Normally it is between 20 and 30 breathing movements in a minute. Kittens and young animals, which have a more active metabolism than adults, breathe more quickly than adult cats, and females breathe more quickly than males. In addition, pregnant or lactating cats breathe at a higher rate than normal. Respiration rate is also influenced by size and genetic factors: small cats breathe more often than large cats, which is explained more high level metabolism and, accordingly, increased heat loss. Changes in your cat's breathing rate can be caused by fear, pain, shock, illness respiratory system. It should also be taken into account that breathing becomes more frequent in hot weather, during physical activity, and when the cat is excited. The breathing of a healthy animal after exercise is restored within a few minutes. Difficulty breathing can be caused by heatstroke or, in rare cases, a lack of calcium in the blood during lactation in females. An animal may suffocate due to heart failure or inflammation genitourinary system, as well as when swallowing a foreign object.

Coat becomes ruffled, dull, and may experience increased shedding, changes in color (yellowness) or skin elasticity.

A sick cat has discharge (purulent, mucous, etc.) from the nose, eyes, mouth and other organs. Colorless discharge may indicate anemia, yellowish discharge may indicate liver damage, bloody discharge indicate serious infections or poisoning, bluish ones indicate heart failure or disturbances in the circulatory system.

Nasal speculum (nose) dry, constantly warm (sign elevated temperature), cracked skin, mucopurulent discharge from the nostrils, the formation of dry crusts, a whitened lobe (a sign of anemia) are sure signs of a cat’s illness.

A sick cat may experience various discharge from the eyes(transparent, purulent, mucous, etc.), squinting and lacrimation can reflect pain in the eye; in a number of diseases, yellowness of the mucous membrane and inflammation of the eyelids are observed. In case of conjunctivitis, poisoning and some other cases, the eyes are sometimes half-closed by the third eyelid.

Concerning oral cavity. may be observed in case of illness increased salivation, noted bad smell from the mouth, gums and tongue are covered with plaque or ulcers. The mucous membranes of the mouth and eyelids are pale, bluish or icteric.

Digestion may also be violated. Activity gastrointestinal tract changed: vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, painful bowel movements, and accumulation of gases in the intestines are noted. Foreign objects (hair, worms, etc.) appear in the feces. Drops of blood in feces (normally they should be Brown) also indicate serious internal pathology– usually due to bleeding in the large intestine. About stomach bleeding, or bleeding in anterior section intestines, evidenced by tarry stool of a dark, almost black color. Clarified feces are a sign of liver disease (lack of bile, etc.). Foamy feces are an indicator of a bacterial infection.

From the outside genitourinary system the following abnormalities may be observed: increased urination, urinary incontinence, lack of urination, pain when emptying the bladder, changes in color (normal urine is yellow) and amount of urine, unpleasant odor, mucopurulent discharge from the genitals, hunched back, stiff gait, soreness in the lumbar region. A sweetish smell from the mouth may also indicate that your cat has kidney problems. Diseases that make it difficult to urinate and pass food can be a tumor, prostate hypertrophy, hemorrhoids, cystitis, and urolithiasis.

Breath becomes frequent or, conversely, rare and cautious (if painful), wheezing, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath appear. Shortness of breath in a cat can be caused by increased physical activity, asthma, inflammation or emphysema, which, in turn, is a consequence of poisoning. Difficulty breathing is observed with pleurisy, heart failure, anemia, and heartworms. In older cats, a sign of heart failure may be a cough.

Lymphatic system. Enlarged lymph nodes usually indicate the presence of inflammatory process. Most often, the submandibular lymph nodes are involved in this process, so you should learn to find and feel them.

Increased thirst may be associated with a cold, diabetes, dropsy, renal failure, or kidney disease, and if physical weakness and odor from the mouth are added to it, then this most likely indicates uremia.

Vomit develops in response to poisonous herbs entering the stomach and in general during poisoning, with helminthic infestation, travel in transport. Vomiting and increasing physical weakness in combination with constipation indicate intestinal obstruction and the presence of a foreign body in the intestine.

Yellowness of mucous membranes may be a sign of hepatitis, poisoning, leptospirosis.

Increased salivation occurs when the tongue and oral cavity are damaged, when foreign body into the esophagus, with heat and sunstroke, with poisoning and some liver diseases. It can also be a symptom of such a terrible disease as rabies.

But these signs of diseases, as a rule, do not appear all at the same time: usually one sign is most pronounced, and the rest accompany it (in one combination or another). The improvement in the cat’s well-being and recovery can be judged after the disappearance of all painful manifestations characteristic of a particular disease.

The posture of a cat can tell you a lot. A healthy animal rests or sleeps in a relaxed position, with its torso straightened and limbs stretched out. A sick cat takes a forced position that helps reduce pain or any discomfort. In particular, with heart disease, a cat stands with its forelimbs spread wide apart - this makes breathing easier; The cat holds the injured limb suspended; with urolithiasis, intermittent claudication is possible on the hind legs on the left or right, according to a diseased kidney, etc.

The above symptoms appear in to varying degrees, their combination also varies widely. If you are concerned about anything in your cat's physical condition or behavior, call your veterinarian or the nearest veterinary clinic (make sure to always have these numbers at hand or in a visible place). Maybe, telephone consultation will be enough to help your pet.

Heart failure in cats, like in people, is a severe diagnosis with which you must continue to live. The heart is a kind of engine of the whole organism. It pumps blood, without which no other organ can function. Lungs and heart - this is the trio, without which the death of the entire organism will occur. Today we will tell you in detail about the main symptoms and methods of treating heart failure in cats.

For some reason, a pet’s heart may sometimes not perform all its functions. This leads to a “failure” of the functioning of the entire organism as a whole. And if heart problems are not noticed in time, heart failure will develop. But everything starts small, gradually “gaining strength.”

This disease in cats, the symptoms of which are unfamiliar to many, is associated with a complex of disorders. The incorrect rhythm in which the heart muscle contracts during this pathology disrupts blood circulation throughout the body. Uncontrolled attacks “eat up” all the energy, which can barely cope with the supply of oxygen and necessary nutrients to tissues and organs. Therefore, the pathology is considered very dangerous. And this is in a calm state. But as soon as the animal starts running, symptoms of asphyxia appear (lack of oxygen, suffocation).

This is interesting! Cats suffer from acute heart failure less frequently than humans. This is facilitated by nutrition and the specificity of biochemical processes in the animal’s body.

Pathology is more common in individuals over 6 years of age. But it happens that symptoms of the disease appear in kittens as early as six months. Therefore, it is a mistake to believe that only old animals suffer from heart failure. Small puppies and kittens may also hear this terrible diagnosis. And this is due to a number of reasons.

There are several types of heart failure in cats. Along the way there is acute and chronic heart failure. But they also talk about congenital or acquired deficiency. In addition, there are primary and secondary (heart problems arise after infectious diseases).

It is also worth knowing about the predisposition of some breeds to the development of diseases of the cardiovascular system. Large breeds of cats (for example, Maine Coon and others) are more likely than others to develop diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Causes of heart failure

The causes of heart failure in cats can be very diverse, but in most cases the onset is “taken” from heart disease (of all kinds). For example, congenital defects, myocarditis, pericarditis, cardiomyopathy. A little more about her.

Hypertrophic

The most common form of cardiomyopathy. With this type of heart failure, the heart muscle increases in size several times, and mainly the ventricular myocardium increases. This leads to the fact that the volume of the ventricle of the heart decreases. As a result, there is less blood in it, but the body needs oxygen! Therefore, the myocardium has to contract more often and rests less. But rest is necessary. Hence the “fatigue” of the muscle, which is followed by heart failure in dogs and cats.

Dilated cardiomyopathy

With this type of heart failure in cats and dogs, the wall of the ventricle does not thicken, but stretches. But despite the fact that the volume of the ventricle increases and there is a lot of blood in the heart, it still normal function heart is broken. The myocardium cannot fully contract, thereby expelling all the blood from the ventricle. Some of it “stagnates,” which stretches the walls even more.

Restrictive

In this case, the muscles seem to be “wooden” and practically do not stretch. Their elasticity is lost. And, despite the fact that the volume of the ventricle does not change, the myocardium cannot cope. It is not elastic, it is extremely difficult for it to contract.

Intermediate

A very complex type of cardiomyopathy. And all because it is not always possible to diagnose it, because changes from various types cardiomyopathy.

• Age. Where would we be without him? Old people suffer more often than others due to various kinds deficiencies. This is all simply explained by the fact that organs “get tired” throughout life and become “targets” for pathogens of infectious diseases. And the heart is under incredible stress.
• Large animals have the hardest time, because the heart, like a pump, needs support. high pressure pump a lot of blood. But miniature breeds also have a hard time, because their “engine” beats at a much higher frequency, and this significantly “wears out” the heart muscle.
• Infectious diseases. They often lead to heart pain.
• If the thyroid gland is overactive, it produces too much hormone.
• High blood pressure. There are also hypertensive animals among animals.
• Wrong diet. There should be no salt!
• Toxins, drugs. All this is in the blood, which will definitely end up in the heart. The poisons will “settle” and destroy the myocardium.
• Genetics (predisposition also influences, it was written about above). The tendency to heart disease is inherited. This is why it is so important to know who your pet's parents are.

Symptoms of heart failure in cats

Symptoms of heart failure in cats depend on many factors. One of which is the age of the animal.

Chronic heart failure in cats appears gradually. Symptoms do not appear all at once and increase slowly. Therefore, even the most attentive owners may not notice the disease immediately. The limbs and chest area often swell.

How to diagnose the disease

For treatment to give positive results, the diagnosis must be carried out by an experienced veterinarian - a cardiologist. It usually includes:

1. Blood and urine tests.
2. X-ray examination of the chest.

If a cat is diagnosed with heart failure, it is recommended to protect it from breeding offspring, since the disease is often inherited.

Among other things, the development of this anomaly in an animal is determined using the following methods:

Collecting a complete medical history (data about the pet from the owner). It is important to prepare and provide the veterinarian with detailed, comprehensive information; it is best to bring it to the appointment in writing, so as not to miss important details about the health and vital functions of your pet.

Listening, palpation and other methods of visual and physical examination. Even by measuring an animal’s blood pressure, you can come across a sign of disease: low readings usually indicate the presence of serious heart problems.

How to provide first aid for heart failure

If you do not immediately come to the aid of your pet during an acute attack of heart failure, he may die suddenly.

You need to act measuredly, but quickly, as follows:

• lay the pet's head to one side;
• remove tongue from mouth;
• Apply a cool compress prepared in advance to the cat’s head;
• try to bring the animal to its senses by holding a cotton ball soaked in ammonia to its nose;
• The paws must be held above the head to increase blood flow to it.

Treatment of cats with heart failure

Any treatment of a cat with symptoms of heart failure should be under the supervision of a veterinarian! Self-medication can not only aggravate the course of the disease, but also lead to the death of the animal! Be sure to find out the cause of the malaise!

Ignoring the problem over time can lead to irreversible changes in the heart and blood vessels.

Owners are required to reduce walks (no more than 20 minutes at a time), minimize physical activity and stress. And diet is very important. You will have to limit salt and drinking, as this provokes the formation of edema.

If we talk about drug therapy, then the treatment will be lifelong. The heart needs to be supported. To do this, the veterinarian may prescribe medications to treat a cat with heart failure such as cardiac glycosides, potassium supplements. Medicines that prevent blood from clotting (anticoagulants). Diuretics will help remove excess fluid from the body and reduce swelling.

It is necessary to strictly follow all medical instructions and recommendations. The slightest deviation from the treatment regimen will negate all progress towards restoring heart rhythm, and continuing the course can in some cases become hazardous to health.

How to act so that the kitten never encounters this disease? First of all, care must be taken to ensure that cats exposed to the disease do not produce offspring. Or, when choosing a pet, check its pedigree to see if there are any cases of cardiac anomalies, and if any are found, do not buy a “pig in a poke.”

But even a healthy animal needs to be looked after, making sure that the cat eats rationally and leads an active lifestyle. A balanced amount of nutrients will help avoid obesity in your pet, which is often observed in lazy neutered cats, which need to be monitored more closely. Regular walks with games outside, which are also beneficial for the respiratory and, therefore, cardiac system, also prevent obesity. In addition, heart problems may worsen in adult cats after general anesthesia. Therefore, before the operation involving it, the animal must be carefully examined.

How long a cat with heart failure will live depends only on how badly the heart is affected and how qualified veterinary care provided to the animal. Self-medication is extremely dangerous. Due to incorrectly prescribed medications, the animal may develop pulmonary edema, and in combination with heart failure, this will lead to the death of the animal. It is worth understanding that medications to treat a cat/dog with heart failure will have to be given for the rest of the pet’s life. Once cardiomyopathy has developed, then, alas, it is forever. But the owner, together with the veterinarian, is able to make the life of the mustache easier.

Still have questions? You can ask them to our site's in-house veterinarian in the comment box below, who will respond to them as soon as possible.