Detailed analysis of heart disease is usually accomplished with an echocardiogram (so-called echocardiography) or an ultrasound examination of the heart. Treating obesity as a chronic, low-level inflammatory condition is the new approach. (A respiratory rate of greater than 30 while at rest should prompt immediate veterinary attention!). Lifespan is variable, as some cats with heart disease can experience a normal life and then die from an unrelated condition. If an extra-cardiac cause of heart disease is suspected (such as anemia or hyperthyroidism), a blood sample may be taken for laboratory analysis to measure routine biochemistries, as well as specific tests, such as thyroid hormone levels. There are three main types: Although signs of congenital disease are often seen at a young age, in some cases congenital heart disease can go undetected for many years. Unclassified cardiomyopathy (UCM) is used as a catch-all term for those diseases that do not fit into any specific category. Known potential underlying causes include: Cardiomyopathy secondary to other diseases Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid glands) A less serious form of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is seen in these breeds. 2023 This website is owned and operated by Cliverse Media DAO LTD. Be the first to get our latest updates, insider videos, cat health resources, and more. A diagnosis of heart disease in your cat can be worrying. Cat Losing Weight in Hindquarters: Top 8 Reasons Why - MrBossCat Congenital heart disease may also involve a genetic or hereditary disorder, in which case the problem may develop in more than one kitten in the litter. Before this conversation, collect all the details about your pets diet using a diet history form. These are common reasons that older cats lose weight: Dental disease. Hyperthyroidism Hyperthyroidism is a relatively common illness that most often affects older cats. The first step in dealing with an overweight or obese cat is to recognize and acknowledge that there is a problem. I am completely satisfied, I found useful information and tips in this article, Article was somewhat helpful, but could be improved. Unfortunately, we are inundated with images in the media of overweight cats, making it challenging to understand whathealthylooks like. There are also other types of heart disease that can occur secondarily as a complication of another disease, such as cancer, hyperthyroidism, or hypertension (high blood pressure). In congenital disease, the heart defect is present at birth. Many cats with heart disease can be asymptomatic (show no visible signs), which makes diagnosing the condition challenging. As extra body fat causes extra body weight, weight can be measured to determine if a cat is overweight or obese. Wet food is easier to chew, especially for older cats with bad or missing teeth. Most cats do not display any clinical signs until the disease is advanced. Any investigation of any problem in a cat starts with a careful, thorough physical exam of your pet. Heart Attacks In Cats: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment, Cat Bloodwork (Different Types of Tests, Health Conditions And Costs), Heavy Breathing Cat The 3 Types Of Heavy Breathing And What They Mean, Cat Back Legs Collapsing: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment, View all posts by Dr. Pete Wedderburn, DVM, Heatstroke In Cats: Signs, Symptoms, & Treatment, How to Help a Cat With Separation Anxiety, Diaphragmatic Hernia In Cats: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment, Heavy Breathing in Cats: 3 Types and What to Do, How Much Does It Cost To Own A Cat In 2023, 10 Easy Ways to Groom Your Long-Haired Cat: A Veterinarians Perspective. Therefore, when symptoms are present, its critical to have your cat examined by a veterinarian. In general terms, heart disease can be divided into two categories, congenital and adult onset forms. Many elderly cats lose weight, and it can be hard to know the precise cause of the problem, especially because metabolism changes with age. Other potential complications of obesity in cats include skin and coat problems and difficulty fighting infectious diseases. 2. Rarely, other types of imaging such as CT or MRI scans may be carried out, to obtain very detailed visualization of the heart and associated structures. Prognostic Indicators in Cats with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. 9. Chronic kidney disease. Often, a veterinarian may make the diagnosis of heart disease after listening to the cat's chest with a stethoscope during a routine health check. Unfortunately, for some cats, the only symptom is sudden death. An incidental finding. Innocent heart murmurs need no treatment, as they are harmless incidental findings that your veterinarian may mention to you after an examination. By Although congenital heart disease and heart failure in young cats is very uncommon, it isnt impossible. Your veterinary team can guide you through this process. Metabolism and weight loss: How you burn calories - Mayo Clinic Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM),either with or without systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve (SAM), is the most common form of heart disease in cats. . Diagnosis: Heart Disease Vomiting Diarrhea Anorexia Anesthesia Hyperthyroidism is a common disease in cats, and mostly afflicts cats middle-aged and older. Medications are often the mainstay of acute and long-term therapy. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. When cats have diabetes, their insulin production is decreased. 2009;234(11):1398-1403. Heart disease, also called cardiomyopathy, ultimately affects the ability of the heart to contract, the strength of those contractions, and the overall amount of blood distributed to the body. In general terms, heart disease can be divided into two categories, congenital and adult onset forms. Normal aging. Diabetes results in many hormonal changes that cause cats to lose weight, including breaking down muscle. Low salt diets are unlikely to be helpful unless the heart disease is associated with high blood pressure (hypertension). For various reasons, hearing loss is common in cats of advanced age. A recent study showed that 33% of Maine Coon cats had a genetic abnormality related to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Already have a myVCA account? Most veterinarians will recommend bloodwork and urine testing to evaluate how well your cats organs are functioning. Keeping an eye on continued weight loss is important for most chronic renal disease patients. There are two types of weight loss: total body mass and lean body mass, or muscle. If heart disease is more advanced, signs such as signs of congestive heart failure develop, including dullness, inappetence, reduced activity, difficulty breathing (dyspnea), rapid breathing (tachypnea), coughing, swollen abdomen (ascites) or even collapse. Diagnosing cats with heartworm disease in cats is difficult and there are currently limited treatment options. Affiliate of Mars Inc. 2023 | Copyright VCA Animal Hospitals all rights reserved. Cancer. Cats with this condition produce an excess of the hormone thyroid which plays a critical role in managing your cat's metabolism. Other cats can die quite suddenly, even with the best of medical care. Commonly, the signs of heart disease in cats are decreased appetite, lethargy, changes in your cats breathing, and abnormal heart sounds like a murmur or arrhythmia. Providing a relatively stress-free lifestyle for your cat is important, as is monitoring for changes in her behavior, appetite, and breathing rate. From there, blood is pumped into the ventricles and then either flows into the lungs from the right side to pick up oxygen or out from the left side into the aorta (the bodys largest artery) to deliver oxygenated blood to the body. Siamese Cats. Your local veterinarian may recommend referral to a veterinary cardiologist, who has a special interest in cardiology (disorders of the heart). This cardiomyopathy often leads to right-sided heart failure. Hyperthyroidism can be treated with surgery, medication, diet, or radiation. In North America, obesity is the most commonpreventabledisease in cats and is one of the most common overall. Weight loss can go along with appetite loss, or it may be a separate symptom. Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM), where the muscle becomes tough and less flexible; usually the left ventricle is only mildly enlarged; however, the atria are enlarged and mitral valve insufficiency is usually present. Make the appointment now. Many times, older cats hide their illness until they feel very sick, and too much weight loss occurs rapidly. Why is my cat losing weight? Common causes of weight loss in cats Your veterinarian and veterinary health care team can assist with an assessment. "It isNOTappropriate to simply reduce the volume of their current food. Dietary changes: Diet is key to preventing weight loss. Cats lost a median of 8.9% of body weight in the 12 months before diagnosis, but weight loss was already present 3 years before diagnosis and accelerated after diagnosis of CKD. It is important that your cat's body weight be maintained in an optimal range, neither overweight nor underweight. Obesity shortens a cats life and makes them more likely to develop diseases. Heart + Paw offers a combination of veterinary care, pet grooming, and dog daycare to help be a resource in your pet parenthood journey. It may be necessary to adjust the calorie content of the cat's diet in order to do this. The increase in thyroid hormone also causes an increased appetite and thirst, an increase in urination, poor coat condition, and a variable degree of hyperactivity. He or she may not be able to get up and move around or be unwilling to do so because of getting so tired when making the effort. It is possible for cats to recover. One study concluded that the average survival time for cats with HCM is about five to six years. If possible, tell the emergency vet as much as you know about the situation that led to the cats sudden collapse, as this information could make a difference in the way in which your cat is treated. Just keep in mind that this would be very gradual and in very small amounts. 2023 Heart + Paw. Catching health concerns early will make them much easier to treat and keep your cat comfortable. Pete is known as "Pete the Vet" on his busy Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages, regularly posting information on topical subjects and real-life cases from his clinic. Left untreated, it can lead to weight loss, loss of appetite, vomiting , dehydration, severe depression, problems with motor function, coma, and even death. Loss of total body mass is easier to spot your cat has less fat under the stomach and around the waist, and the midsection looks smaller. Your veterinarian will discuss specific drugs for your cat if needed. The "Silent Killer": Symptoms of Heart Disease in Cats Scientific evidence now reveals that fat tissue is biologically active; it secretes inflammatory hormones and creates oxidative stress on the bodys tissue, both of which contribute to many diseases and decrease quality of life. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Other signs caused by complications of heart disease include: Blood clots, including a particular problem called thromboembolism, when a blood clot forms in the left atrium (one of the small chambers of the heart) and a fragment lodges in a major blood vessel (typically the aorta, lower down in the body, close to blood supply to the hind legs). Doctors often. This might be the result of worsening heart disease or side effects of certain medications. The heart is the most important organ in your cat's body. The causes of unintentional weight loss in cats range from simple lifestyle changes to serious illness. Prevalence of cardiomyopathy in apparently healthy cats. Prognostic Indicators in Cats with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. It is important to never discontinue medication without consulting your veterinarian first. Why is My Cat Losing Weight? 6 Common Causes | Purina Iron, thiamine, calcium, riboflavin, folate, and niacin are all in grain. Ensure that your cat receives a well-balanced diet, as nutrition plays a large part in feline heart disease as well. In fact, about one-third to one-half of cats diagnosed with HCM have no symptoms at the time of diagnosis, and many cats may sadly only experience sudden death. Dr Pete Wedderburn qualified as a vet from Edinburgh in 1985 and has run his own 4-veterinarian companion animal practice in County Wicklow, Ireland, since 1991. Also called thyrotoxicosis, hyperthyroidism is caused by an increase in production of thyroid hormones (known as T3 and T4) from an enlarged thyroid gland in a cat's neck. HCM is a progressive disease and SAM occurs when the mitral valve gets sucked into the aorta during contraction, causing a temporary blockage, restricting blood flow, and increasing pressure. All rights reserved. Read more here. Our article today will explain what blood clots in cats are, how they affect a cat, how vets can treat them and how you can help prevent them. Heart disease, also called cardiomyopathy, ultimately affects the ability of the heart to contract, the strength of those contractions, and the overall amount of blood distributed to the body. The sooner your cat gets diagnosed and receives the care they need, the more likely they are to recover as best as possible. It is essential that the instructions for your cat's heart medication are followed closely. Cats may lose a lot of weight in a short amount of time if they are suffering from heart failure, as their bodies no longer function properly to keep themselves healthy. Persian Cats (domestic long hair). Antiplatelet therapy, such as aspirin or clopidogrel: to help prevent clot formation. Degenerative joint disease (arthritis). Below is a list of a few common causes of weight loss in cats. In addition to unexplained weight loss, diabetic cats typically drink an abnormally large amount of water and urinate large volumes as well. To get your cat to eat high-calorie food and gain weight, warm up its meals and add flavors to stimulate appetite. Cats with an underlying heart disease do not always have a heart murmur that can be detected in a routine exam. Without enough protein, fat and other nutrients, senior cats lose muscle and start to look scrawny. Prognostic Indicators in Cats with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. This may happen due to hormone differences or imbalances or the diet they are eating is no longer supporting their nutritional needs. Heart disease in cats can occur as the result of many different abnormal processes in the heart, such as abnormal rhythm, abnormal heart muscle, abnormal contraction, valve disease, or some combination of the above. HCM has been shown to be inherited, often by genetic mutation, in purebred cats such as Maine Coons and Ragdolls, and is more prevalent in male cats. Mostly seen in older cats, an overactive thyroid gland increases a cat's metabolic rate, leading to weight loss.
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