Heart Disease

What is heart disease?

Heart disease refers to any condition that impairs the heart’s ability to circulate blood through the body. Heart disease includes thickened heart walls (i.e., hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, representing more than 80% of cases), increased heart muscle stiffness (i.e., restrictive cardiomyopathy), or heart enlargement (i.e., dilated cardiomyopathy). A serious consequence of heart disease in cats is the formation of blood clots (i.e., thromboembolism) that travel to the hind limbs. Congestive heart failure (CHF) occurs when heart function becomes so compromised that fluid accumulates in the lungs and abdomen.  

What are common heart disease signs in cats?

In most cases, no signs are observed in the early disease stage.

Intermediate to advanced signs include:

• Abnormal heart sounds noticed by your veterinarian
• Lethargy
• Decreased appetite and weight loss
• Difficulty breathing or getting comfortable
• Abdominal distention
• Hindlimb paralysis 
• Collapse
• Sudden death

How is heart disease managed in cats?  

Management is based on the disease type, and sign severity. Treatment options include medications to relax the heart muscle, normalize the heart rate, reduce clot formation risk, delay disease progression, and reduce fluid accumulation from CHF.  Cats with CHF need consistent medical treatment and vigilant monitoring. Discussing a personalized management plan with your veterinarian, and a veterinary cardiologist, is important for the best outcome for your cat.

What is the prognosis for cats with heart disease?

Cats with mild to moderate hypertrophic cardiomyopathy may have a good quality of life for a number of years. The prognosis for restrictive cardiomyopathy is less than one year, and for dilated cardiomyopathy, less than two months. If thromboembolism occurs, up to 50% of cats can regain hind limb function, but the risk for recurrence is significant. If heart disease progresses to CHF, intensive medical management may provide a good quality of life for 12 to 18 months.

Management tips for cats with heart disease    

At-home needs include:

• Easily accessible food, water, and litter box, and a comfortable location
• Consistency with medications—do not stop without your veterinarian’s direction
• Monitoring resting respiratory rate, vomiting, appetite, drinking, and urination
• Watching for signs of worsening disease 

For end-of-life care:

• Try to keep your cat safe and comfortable
• Ensure adequate nutrition and hydration
• Monitor for pain or discomfort
• Evaluate your cat’s quality of life with our scoring tool
• Track progression of their health with our calendar

In a crisis situation:

Contact your veterinarian immediately if your cat stops eating; has open-mouthed breathing, rapid respiratory rate, abnormal gum color, or a distended abdomen; collapses; cannot walk; or vocalizes in pain. 

Before your cat‘s condition becomes unmanageable, or they begin losing their quality of life, beginning end-of-life care discussions is vital. Learn more about pet hospice, in-home euthanasia, and our teleadvice service, or contact a Lap of Love veterinarian in your area, so you can feel fully prepared for this progressive disease.