cat heart problems symptoms diagnosis
In cats, heart disease is a fairly common ailment. In most cases, your veterinarian will detect heart disease in your cat in one of two ways:
1) Using the stethoscope to detect an abnormal sound, such as a murmur or gallop, during a routine physical examination.
2) Examining your cat after you first notice he is breathing quickly or has difficulty breathing at all.
Heart disease may appear to develop suddenly in the case of a breathing problem. You may believe your cat is in perfect health, only to discover him gasping for air a few hours later. What many cat owners perceive as "sudden" has actually been building up to a significant issue over time.
You may also notice the following signs of heart disease:
1- Weight fluctuations in your cat. Weight loss of more than a pound in a week or two could be a sign of heart disease.
2- If your cat coughs a lot, it could be a sign that something is wrong, and you should see your veterinarian.
3- Weakness or paralysis of one or more of your cat's legs (usually the hind leg) may indicate a heart condition. Blood may have difficulty reaching your cat's limbs if an artery is blocked. Even so, blockages can occur in any part of the body.
4- If your cat isn't feeling well in general, it could be a sign that something is wrong with his heart.
If your cat has been diagnosed with serious heart disease, the first priority is to stabilize any life-threatening situations. Your veterinarian may recommend using medication or a needle and syringe to remove fluid from around the lungs.
If the situation isn't as serious and you suspect heart disease, or if your cat was having breathing problems but is now feeling better, your veterinarian will still want to know what's wrong. A chest X-ray, a cardiac ultrasound, or an electrocardiogram are usually required for diagnosis (ECG).
Your veterinarian will work with you to determine the best medications, diet, and monitoring to give your cat the best chance at a long and happy life after an accurate diagnosis has been made. Nothing is guaranteed, however, and a cat with heart disease is always at risk of dying suddenly. Even though dealing with this reality is difficult, you must be ready for anything.
Older Cat - Heart and Lungs:
It is an unavoidable fact of life that we must age. Cats aren't any different. Cats do age, and while their hair does not go grey or fall out if they are male, and they do not show wrinkles the way humans do, they do age.
Our bodies slow down as we get older, and our regenerative powers (the rate at which we heal) suffer. We don't have as much energy as we used to, and some body functions aren't as efficient as they once were. As the life we've led catches up with us, our internal organs begin to malfunction.
We become more susceptible to disease and injury, and our mental processes slow down in some cases. At the same time, because our metabolism has slowed, our weight can sometimes rise. That's a problem I'm having right now. All of these things happen to your older cat as well.
When your cat is ten or eleven years old, you should begin treating it as a 'older cat' rather than just an adult cat. You may need to make accommodations for your cat's new life stage. However, don't blame every minor ailment on 'old age,' as some issues may be caused by a disease or parasite infestation. If you have any concerns about your cat's health, you should always consult your veterinarian.
In any human or animal body, the heart is the most important muscle. The body will die if it fails. While heart attacks are uncommon in cats, a failing heart has ramifications throughout the body.
The heart of a senior cat will lose some of its efficiency, and it will be unable to pump as much blood around the body in as short a time as it could when the cat was younger. It continues to pump blood, but at a slower rate. Arteries begin to thicken and become less flexible, obstructing the flow of blood throughout the body.
Because of the slower blood flow or circulation throughout the cat's body, your older cat will struggle to stay warm, especially during the winter months. Some cats will develop a heartbeat that is irregular or arrhythmic. This has a negative impact on circulation and makes exercising more difficult.
The lungs of an older cat lose some of their elasticity, and the respiratory system stops working as well as it used to. This indicates that your cat's respiratory system is not properly supplying fresh oxygenated blood and removing carbon dioxide from the body. The bronchial passages become increasingly congested.As a result, your cat may be at risk for respiratory infections like bronchitis or pneumonia.
To help prevent these respiratory problems, keep your older cat warm during the winter months. Make sure it has a draft-free bed. If you live in a particularly cold climate, consider placing a hot water bottle beneath your bedding. You must take care that the water does not become too hot. I've also seen a variety of electric pet bed warmers. These can be placed beneath the bedding and set to a low temperature. Consult your veterinarian or a pet store to determine what is appropriate.
Why not give your senior cat some love and attention? He or she has been a source of joy and love for your family for many years. Take care of it as you would any other loved family member during its golden years. Cassie is getting close to being classified as a senior cat, so I'm giving her treats now and then just because she deserves it. She has put her trust in me for a long time and deserves a reward now and then.
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