Heart Diseases In Cats And Treatment Options

The most common heart disease that affects a cat is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). This disease impairs the pumping ability of a cats heart. The disease leads to the cat being deprived of vital nutrients and oxygen. Some cat breeds such as American Short Hair and Main Coon inherit this disease. This disease normally affects cats that are in the age group of 2 to 5 years.

Signs And Causes Of Heart Diseases In A Cat

Although genetic mutation is the primary cause of HCM in cats, certain issues such as Hyperthyroidism, chronic kidney disease and hypertension as secondary issues can cause HCM. Apart from this disease, heartworm disease can lead to heart failure and sudden death in some cases. Cardiomyopathy is a rare case that can occur in a cat due to Taurine deficient diet. The signs of heart disease vary among cats. Some cats may not show any sign, while some cats hide and act shy. Cats undergo difficulty in breathing along with appetite loss, lethargy, paralysis of hind legs. Some cats may faint.

What Can Be Done

A vet can analyze the abnormal heart rate and rhythm through a stethoscope. Secondary cause such as hypertension and thyroid disease can be detected with blood tests. The size of the pumping organ and shape can be analyzed with X-rays. The physical structure and function of cats heart can be evaluated through an Echocardiogram, an ultrasound procedure. The electrical conduction of a cats heart can be analyzed through Electrocardiogram.

Treatment

Although primary HCM cannot be cured, certain therapies can be used to make the function of the heart efficient in order to prevent muscle damage and blood clot formation. A diet comprising of low sodium can cure excess fluid accumulation. Diuretic therapy will reduce fluid accumulation in the lungs. Dilators can dilate blood vessels for more efficient and easier functioning of heart. Digitalis therapy can decrease the heart rate to fill the pumping organ with more blood and pump increased amount of blood throughout the cats body.

Medications

Some medications can be used to improve the heart muscle function of a cat. You can use 1/8 Tsp of Omega 3 fatty acids. These acids are found in fish oil and flaxseed oil. Antioxidant vitamin A can be administered in cat meals weekly with 10,000 international units. About 400 international units of vitamin E can be given per week. About 250 grams of vitamin C powder can be given three times a day to cure heart related problems of cats.

Herbal Therapy

You can add one teaspoonful of parsley tea liquid to cat meals. This diuretic enhances the fluid loss with urination. In order to make parsley tea liquid, add some sprigs of parsley into boiling water and keep it for 10 minutes. Strain the liquid and wait until it cools. You can pour one teaspoon of this liquid into your cats food. Diuretics like Lasix can also be given. In addition, you can give Dill seed tea to a cat in order to supply essential minerals.

You should be very careful about blood clot in cats that is a sign of heart failure. It is a serious emergency condition for cats. This condition can occur again even after the treatment and it is very painful for the cat. Once blood clots occur, cats will only survive for a few months if treatment is not given.