What should I do if my cat has an enlarged heart?

Asked By: Rikki Keiser

Date created: Fri, Sep 23, 2022 11:31 AM

Date updated: Fri, May 17, 2024 9:05 AM

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Video answer: Heart Failure in Cats - symptoms, treatment + life expectancy - Cat Health Vet Advice

Best answer to the question «What should I do if my cat has an enlarged heart?»

Answered by Refugia Perrin on Fri, Sep 23, 2022 16:06 PM

If your cat has an enlarged heart, it is important to monitor your cat for any trouble breathing, exercise intolerance, weight loss, decreased appetite and the other symptoms listed above under “ Signs of an Enlarged Heart”. If you see any changes in your cat, you should see your veterinarian immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Those who are looking for an answer to the question «What should I do if my cat has an enlarged heart?» often ask the following questions:

😻 How long do cats live with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?

Once in congestive heart failure, most cats with HCM have a life expectancy of 6 and 18 months. Can cats survive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy? PROGNOSIS: The prognosis for cats with HCM is quite variable. Cats without clinical signs may survive for years, although the disease is most commonly progressive.

😻 Are heart Worms Bad for cats?

Heartworm is a very dangerous medical condition caused by parasitic worms that enter the cat's bloodstream through infected foods, fleas, or ticks. The best treatment for heartworm is prevention, and this is what prescription-grade heartworm treatments provide.

😻 What is treatment for kidney failure in cats?

If your aging cat is drinking more water, you might want to take it to the vet. Dr. Vet. Dara Johns explains the symptoms of kidney failure in cats and what treatments are available. If caught early, the first step is diet change.

Video answer: Enlarged Heart in Cats | Wag!

We've handpicked 18 related questions for you, similar to «What should I do if my cat has an enlarged heart?» so you can surely find the answer!

What should I do if my cat has an enlarged stomach?

Next, your veterinarian will focus on your cat’s abdomen. By palpating or feeling your cat’s abdomen, your veterinarian will search for a palpable stomach or intestinal mass, enlargement of other abdominal organs, or fluid within the abdomen.

What does it mean when a cat has an enlarged stomach?

If your cat is old or lazy, eats a lot and does not exercise, it can become overweight and have an enlarged belly. Sometimes, your cat’s internal organs can either work at a reduced rate or fail. This causes fluid accumulation in the abdomen. A swollen stomach can signify kidney, liver or heart failure.

What kind of XRAY can I get for my Cat's heart rate?

A thoracic radiograph, or x-ray of the chest, can provide valuable information to assess a feline with a rapid heart rate. The veterinarian will be able to detect an enlarged portion of the heart, indicating one of the values is not working properly as blood is pooling into one heart chamber.

What should I do if my cat has heart disease?

The veterinarian will need the cat's complete health history, which will include any history of heart disease, a detailed list of symptoms and an approximate date and time when the symptoms first began.

Video answer: CATS WITH HEART DISEASE | How I care for my cat with HCM

What should I do if my cat has a heart murmur?

If your cat has a heart murmur, your vet will discuss additional testing based on your cat’s physical exam findings, health status, history of illness, age, and risk. Veterinarians often begin with x-rays of your cat’s chest to evaluate their heart and lungs.

What does it mean when a cat is breathing heavy?

One of the possible causes of heavy cat breathing is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This cardiac disease means that a cat’s heart is enlarged, pumping more blood, thus accumulating fluid in a cat’s chest or lungs. Except for open-mouthed and hardened breathing, cats with an enlarged heart might also show signs of lethargy.

What should I Feed my Cat with heart disease?

If your cat has heart disease especially cardiomyopathy, most “veterinarians will recommend feeding cats a low-sodium food that will help reduce fluid build-up and make it easier for their heart to work effectively,” notes Hill’s Pets.

Why does my male cat have an enlarged nipple?

Male cats’ nipples should never be prominent. As mentioned above, male cats can develop a medical condition, such as a cyst or tumor. A catfight could cause an enlarged nipple if the nipple was scratched during the scuffle, which could lead to an infection.

What causes a cat to cough with congestive heart failure?

The cough may be due to fluids that have built up in the lungs, causing the cat to have difficulty breathing. A cat that has congestive heart failure on the right side of the heart could develop fluids in his belly, lungs and around the heart. Right-side heart failure can also lead to an enlarged spleen or liver and a distended jugular vein.

What should I do if my older cat has health problems?

Dealing with Older Cat Health Problems. Consider a special diet if your older cat has heart or kidney disease. For example, diets lower in sodium are sometimes advocated for cats with heart disease, while diets which help control phosphorus, calcium and other electrolyte levels are given to cats with kidney disease.

Video answer: Herb for Dog and Cat Heart Help

How can I tell if my cat has a heart murmur?

An ECG can determine the feline’s electrical activity and heart rhythm. Auscultation is the listening of heart sounds through the use of a stethoscope. This examination tool can help the veterinarian detect a heart murmur and arrhythmias (irregular heart beat).

Does your cat have an overactive thyroid?

Your cat may develop hyperthyroidism if she has enlarged thyroid glands and excessive amounts of thyroid hormone in her system. Hyperthyroidism, which is left untreated, can have serious, sometimes fatal, consequences on vital organs such as the heart and kidneys, if left untreated. What Happens If Hypothyroidism Is Left Untreated In Cats?

What should I do if my cat has sinus tachycardia?

The care of your cat following diagnosis will depend on the specific disease that is found to be causing the sinus tachycardia. Restricting your cat’s activity so that its heart rate does not increase excessively may be called for, but only if your cat’s health is being adversely affected by the increased heart rate.

What is HCM in cats?

HCM ("enlarged heart muscle disease") is an inherited disorder in which the muscular walls of the heart become abnormally thickened. HCM typically affects cats in the young adult years, between 1–5 years of age, although cases can emerge as early as 3 months or as late as 10 years.

What kind of heart problems do Siamese cats have?

Mitral valve stenosis is more commonly seen more in Siamese breeds. Tricuspid valve stenosis can lead to swelling of the legs and paws, and an enlarged liver may be seen on radiographis images. Both mitral and tricuspid valve stenosis can lead to congestive heart failure (CHF).

What should I do if my cat is having trouble breathing?

Short-term treatment to stabilize the cat’s consciousness may include inserting an IV with fluids, monitoring the cat’s heart rate closely, and supporting the cat with a constant stream of oxygen. After the cat has been stabilized with this short-term care, the treatment will focus on resolving the underlying health condition.

What should I name my Cat if I love books?

If your cat has a splotch that looks like a heart, you could name her Cupid. Look at what makes your cat unique, and you might come up with plenty of ideas for names. If you love books but think that naming your cat after a character is too predictable, you could give your kitty a name that is a pun on an author’s name.

What causes blood clots in cats with heart disease?

By far the most common cause of blood clots in cats is heart disease. Most cats with heart disease get enlarged hearts – this causes the blood in the heart to swirl around more. We don’t know why but this promotes blood clot formation.

Video answer: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) in Cats