Heart Disease in Cats - Signs to Detect This Problem, and What Can Be Done to Help Your Cat?
Heart disease is a relatively common affliction in cats.
Tour veterinarian will generally first detect heart disease in your cat in one of two ways: 1) By hearing an abnormal sound, such as a murmur or gallop, with the stethoscope during a routine physical exam.
2) By examining your cat after you first notice he is breathing rapidly, or even having trouble breathing altogether.
In the case of a breathing problem, heart disease may appear to come on very suddenly.
You could be thinking your cat is in perfect health, then a few hours later noticing him gasping for air.
What many cat owners see as "sudden" has been building up to a noticeable problem over time.
Other signs of heart disease you may notice include: - Changes in your cat's weight.
More than a pound of weight loss over a week or two period could be a sign of heart disease.
- If your cat is coughing frequently, this could be a sign, and you should consult with your veterinarian.
- Weakness or paralysis of one or more of your cat's legs (usually a hind leg) could be a sign of a heart problem.
Because an artery may be block, blood could have trouble reaching your cat's limbs.
Still, blockages can affect any parts of the body.
- If your cat is generally just not feeling well, this could be a sign of something wrong with his heart.
If serious heart disease is suspected or diagnosed in your cat, the primary concern is to stabilize any immediate life-threatening situations.
Your veterinarian might suggest removal of fluid from around the lungs by using medication, or even a needle and syringe.
If the situation is not as acute and you suspect heart disease, or if your cat was having trouble breathing, but is now feeling better, your veterinarian is still going to want to know what is wrong with your cat.
Diagnosis usually requires a chest X-ray, a cardiac ultrasound, or an electrocardiogram (ECG).
After an accurate diagnosis is made, your veterinarian will work with you to determine the best medications, diet, and monitoring that will give your cat the best chance at a long and happy life.
However, nothing is guaranteed, and a cat with heart disease is always a candidate for sudden death.
As difficult as this fact is to deal with, you still need to be prepared for anything.
Tour veterinarian will generally first detect heart disease in your cat in one of two ways: 1) By hearing an abnormal sound, such as a murmur or gallop, with the stethoscope during a routine physical exam.
2) By examining your cat after you first notice he is breathing rapidly, or even having trouble breathing altogether.
In the case of a breathing problem, heart disease may appear to come on very suddenly.
You could be thinking your cat is in perfect health, then a few hours later noticing him gasping for air.
What many cat owners see as "sudden" has been building up to a noticeable problem over time.
Other signs of heart disease you may notice include: - Changes in your cat's weight.
More than a pound of weight loss over a week or two period could be a sign of heart disease.
- If your cat is coughing frequently, this could be a sign, and you should consult with your veterinarian.
- Weakness or paralysis of one or more of your cat's legs (usually a hind leg) could be a sign of a heart problem.
Because an artery may be block, blood could have trouble reaching your cat's limbs.
Still, blockages can affect any parts of the body.
- If your cat is generally just not feeling well, this could be a sign of something wrong with his heart.
If serious heart disease is suspected or diagnosed in your cat, the primary concern is to stabilize any immediate life-threatening situations.
Your veterinarian might suggest removal of fluid from around the lungs by using medication, or even a needle and syringe.
If the situation is not as acute and you suspect heart disease, or if your cat was having trouble breathing, but is now feeling better, your veterinarian is still going to want to know what is wrong with your cat.
Diagnosis usually requires a chest X-ray, a cardiac ultrasound, or an electrocardiogram (ECG).
After an accurate diagnosis is made, your veterinarian will work with you to determine the best medications, diet, and monitoring that will give your cat the best chance at a long and happy life.
However, nothing is guaranteed, and a cat with heart disease is always a candidate for sudden death.
As difficult as this fact is to deal with, you still need to be prepared for anything.
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