Love is in the Air
I don't know about you, but I'm always looking for new ways to spoil my four legged Valentines and today means doing those extra little things that say I love you. With Valentine's Day falling on a Friday it's a cause to extend the celebrations into the weekend! It's true what they say, that you can't buy love, or can you? Even though it's reported people will spend 1.7 billion dollars on their pets this Valentine's Day, here are some simple ways to celebrate your love that cost nothing. And remember to keep your chocolate far away from your pups and your flowers out of your cat's reach!
1. Serve a special meal. We all know that there are foods that our pets like and foods that they LOVE. Splurge on a favorite food and serve it on one of your "good plates"
2. Extra morning cuddles. If you are lucky enough to have the luxury of lingering in bed a bit longer today, do it by sharing extra cuddles. And if that's not possible carve out some time to nap or have an extra snuggle session today or this weekend. It will do you both a world of good.
3. Spend time doing a favorite activity. Whether it's indoors or out make the time to play your pet's favorite game, break out toys that have been lost under the furniture or take a walk in their favorite place. Whatever it is, involve yourself in the experience by being fully present with them; that means clearing your head and putting down your devices. 4. Have a Valentine's Day photo shoot. Break out the clothes with the hearts or create a fun V Day backdrop and have a blast adding to the thousands of photos you probably have of your pet! If you need inspiration and your social media feeds are anything like mine, they are probably full of four legged valentines!
1. Serve a special meal. We all know that there are foods that our pets like and foods that they LOVE. Splurge on a favorite food and serve it on one of your "good plates"
2. Extra morning cuddles. If you are lucky enough to have the luxury of lingering in bed a bit longer today, do it by sharing extra cuddles. And if that's not possible carve out some time to nap or have an extra snuggle session today or this weekend. It will do you both a world of good.
3. Spend time doing a favorite activity. Whether it's indoors or out make the time to play your pet's favorite game, break out toys that have been lost under the furniture or take a walk in their favorite place. Whatever it is, involve yourself in the experience by being fully present with them; that means clearing your head and putting down your devices. 4. Have a Valentine's Day photo shoot. Break out the clothes with the hearts or create a fun V Day backdrop and have a blast adding to the thousands of photos you probably have of your pet! If you need inspiration and your social media feeds are anything like mine, they are probably full of four legged valentines!
Love is in the (H)air
One of my favorite pet keepsakes to make are these adorable hearts. The most wonderful thing about them is they only require a small amount of brushings; making them perfect for slow shedders. You only need to save an ounce of brushings to have enough yarn made for a heart. That's about a sandwich bag packed full. These hearts can me made 3 dimensional and filled with extra brushings or fiber fill, or they can be made 2 dimensional if you'd prefer to mount them in a frame or shadowbox. Either way they are a truly beautiful keepsake and embody the spirit and character of your companion.
 "Mika Mae" keepsake heart |  "Gambit" keepsake heart and bracelet |
Your Pet's Heart Beats for You
Many studies have explored the relationship between pet ownership and cardiovascular health through focusing on the blood pressure, heart rate and physical activity of pet owners compared to non-pet owners. The American Heart Association reviewed these studies and issued a Scientific Statement connecting pet ownership to the prevention of cardiovascular disease. It's pretty incredible but not surprising seeing as how we know that the heart's energetics extend into the surrounding environment almost infinitely. Some traditions have said that it is this heart connection- man to beast - that is the reason the animals were sent her in the first place.
The Heart of the Matter
Heart disease is often termed "the silent killer", and for good reason. Much like heart disease in humans, heart disease in animals shows symptoms that can often mimic those of other ailments until the unmistakable signs of heart failure are present. Scary stuff, I know. But early diagnosis can be a game changer. Sometimes an early sign of heart troubles is a murmur which could be detected at a routine veterinary exam. Even if your pet is healthy, an annual check up could save it's life. While a heart murmur doesn't always indicate heart trouble, it merits further testing. Once a murmur is detected, or your veterinarian suspects a heart ailment, a referral to a board certified veterinary cardiologist is in order. I'm a huge believer in the importance of seeking out specialty care for your pet for anything that is beyond the norm. Being under the care of a veterinary cardiologist means you have access to cutting edge treatments and a team of care givers who are true experienced experts at diagnosing and treating heart disease. Cats and dogs are different, this we know. And what's true with dogs isn't always true for cats when it comes to heart disease. That said - I'm sharing my personal experience with my own pets and heart disease and I'm breaking out some really useful information specific to cats and dogs respectively, so that you can find the resources most beneficial for your pet's heart health.
Hairless Hearts
I knew when I brought Sphynx cats into my life there was a risk of bringing heart disease along with them. While they are known for being enormously affectionate, mischeveous and just downright monkey like, they are also infamous for their enormous hearts. It's debatable whether or not the prevalence of heart disease in Sphynx is a hallmark of the breed or a result of heightened awareness (and increased testing and diagnoses) of owners. HCM is the most common heart disease in ALL cats and affects far more cats than realized. We were not the lucky ones - both of my boys (siblings) were diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopothy (HCM) before the age of 2. In short, its a thickening of the heart. There is no cure, it can develop at any age, early warning signs are non existent and the only way to diagnose it before clinical symptoms appear is through an echocardiogram with a board certified veterinary cardiologist. Because I was hyperaware when murmurs were detected at routine vet appointments I wasted no time and had them referred to a cardiologist for further testing. Living with HCM is hard. Really hard. Sudden changes in the severity of the disease are common with no warning. We have scans every six months with the hope that we can catch progression before it leads to a fatal clot or congestive heart failure. Medications can help prolong the life of a cat with HCM in some cases - in our case Poppy is not on medication and Fergus is. There is no conclusive evidence that medications can stall the progression of the thickening of the heart,- and they don't come without risks of side effects. What they can do is help the heart to beat more efficiently and keep blood platelets healthy to avoid clots. Knowing this, with the advice of the cardiology team, we chose to medicate Fergus once his disease progressed to his atrium. This stage of HCM put him at high risk for clots and heart failure, and when he began his medication regiment in December 2016. To make matters worse, Fergus also is afflicted with two different arrhythmias. SVT and V tach. His arrhythmias began before he was a year old, and it was a holter heart monitor worn at home that gave us the diagnoses. All told, Fergus takes 11 pills each day and has shown no side effects or stress to his kidneys. He's amazing in so many ways, but his tolerance for medicine time is nothing short of incredible. Some pets are impossible to medicate without inducing an unhealthy level of stress. I'm so grateful that Fergus is a willing participant at pill time.
Both of my boys are outliers to statistics. Their disease has stalled -and while that can change at any time, we choose to live with optimism and hope; the fragility of their presence is certainly not lost on me. Being able to leave my "real job" and make Nine Lives Twine my solo endeavor has allowed me to spend every waking moment with my boys. I believe being present to this degree, both physically and emotionally has a positive effect on their hearts...and mine.
Both of my boys are outliers to statistics. Their disease has stalled -and while that can change at any time, we choose to live with optimism and hope; the fragility of their presence is certainly not lost on me. Being able to leave my "real job" and make Nine Lives Twine my solo endeavor has allowed me to spend every waking moment with my boys. I believe being present to this degree, both physically and emotionally has a positive effect on their hearts...and mine.
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Wearing a holter heart monitor at home saved Fergus' life. His terrifying episodes and lapses into unconsciousness were thought to be neurological. In preparation for his MRI he had to wear a heart monitor for 24 hours. It was this precaution that told us what no one could figure out. He was suffering from arryhythmic episodes and each time the beating of his heart became erratic, sudden death was a real risk. While the monitor is a bit bulky and cumbersome, he adapted each time he has had to wear it. The data that it provides along with the expertise of his cardiologist gives us a window into his condition that wouldn't be possible otherwise.
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Cardiovascular Health and Disease in Cats and Dogs
Dogs and Heart Disease: An Overview from The Pet Health Network
Dr. Ruth MacPete explains canine heart disease. For more from Dr. MacPete, find her on Facebook or at www.drruthpetvet.com!
“Dogs get heart disease?” The surprised question from a human doctor friend of mine still echoes in my ears. The answer, of course, is yes! Dogs get heart disease, just like their human companions. In fact, it is estimated that 7.8 million dogs in the United States have heart disease. That means approximately 10% of all dogs in the United States have heart disease. Despite these numbers, many people, even those in the medical field, are unaware that their dog may be at risk for heart disease.
Heart disease in dogs is almost as common as it is in humans, but unlike people, smoking and a fatty diet are not risk factors. The most common form of heart disease in dogs is valvular disease, which primarily affects small breed dogs over 5 years of age and makes up 70-75% of heart disease in dogs. Heartworm disease causes 13% of heart disease even though it is entirely preventable. Myocardial disease, such as dilated cardiomyopathy, makes up 8% of heart disease and primarily affects large breed dogs of all ages.
Dr. Ruth MacPete explains canine heart disease. For more from Dr. MacPete, find her on Facebook or at www.drruthpetvet.com!
“Dogs get heart disease?” The surprised question from a human doctor friend of mine still echoes in my ears. The answer, of course, is yes! Dogs get heart disease, just like their human companions. In fact, it is estimated that 7.8 million dogs in the United States have heart disease. That means approximately 10% of all dogs in the United States have heart disease. Despite these numbers, many people, even those in the medical field, are unaware that their dog may be at risk for heart disease.
Heart disease in dogs is almost as common as it is in humans, but unlike people, smoking and a fatty diet are not risk factors. The most common form of heart disease in dogs is valvular disease, which primarily affects small breed dogs over 5 years of age and makes up 70-75% of heart disease in dogs. Heartworm disease causes 13% of heart disease even though it is entirely preventable. Myocardial disease, such as dilated cardiomyopathy, makes up 8% of heart disease and primarily affects large breed dogs of all ages.
What are the signs of heart disease in dogs?
The clinical signs of heart disease depend on the type of disease and severity. It is important to note that early on there may be no symptoms at all. As heart disease progresses to congestive heart failure, which occurs when the heart is unable to meet the body’s demands, a dog may develop more obvious symptoms such as fatigue, reduced willingness to walk or exercise, difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, weight loss, a distended abdomen, trouble sleeping or coughing. If you see any of these symptoms, you should have your pet seen by a veterinarian immediately.
How do you know if your dog has heart disease?
Since early heart disease is asymptomatic, it is best to take your dog to the veterinarian every year to screen for heart disease. Your veterinarian will listen to your pet’s heart for abnormal sounds like murmurs or irregular rhythms and will look for other subtle signs of heart disease. If your veterinarian suspects heart disease, they may measure blood pressure or suggest additional tests like x-rays, cardiac ultrasounds, or ECGs to confirm the diagnosis and determine the cause so that treatment can be started.
What can you do if your dog develops heart failure?
While there is no cure for congestive heart failure (CHF), fortunately there are medications available to help the heart work better. The Quality of Life and Extension of Survival Time trial (QUEST), the largest clinical trial studying of dogs with CHF, reported that dogs treated with pimobendan lived longer and enjoyed a higher quality of life compared to dogs treated with conventional therapy. Speak with your veterinarian or a veterinary cardiologist to determine which medications your dog will need depending on the type and severity of their heart disease.
What can you do to prevent heart disease in dogs?
Unfortunately, although diet and exercise are important for preventing other important diseases like obesity, diabetes and arthritis, they have not been found to prevent acquired heart disease in dogs. In fact, most forms of heart disease in dogs cannot be prevented except for one notable exception: heartworm disease. It is sad to think that 13% of all dogs in the US with heart disease have a disease that is entirely preventable. Keeping your pet on year-round heartworm preventatives can protect your pet from getting this deadly disease. Although heartworm disease can be treated, it is much easier to prevent it in the first place. In addition to preventing heartworm disease, these medications are also effective against other internal parasites and can protect your human family from zoonotic infections. Protecting your pet from heartworm disease not only makes sense, it’s also really simple!
Although heart disease in dogs cannot be prevented with the exception of heartworm disease, the goal is early diagnosis and treatment. Routine visits to the veterinarian can help catch heart disease while it is still asymptomatic. During these visits, your veterinarian will listen to your dog’s heart for murmurs or irregular rhythms and look for early signs of heart disease. Additional tests like x-rays, cardiac ultrasounds or ECGs may be ordered by your veterinarian to establish the diagnosis and determine the cause in order to start the right treatment. Starting treatment earlier can improve quality of life and extend life expectancy.
Take home message:
The take home message is that heart disease is almost as common in dogs as in people. Even though most forms cannot be prevented, heart disease caused by heartworms can easily be avoided with year-round preventatives. Likewise, in dogs who have developed heart failure, quality of life and life expectancy can be improved with early diagnosis and treatment. I recommend taking your dog to your veterinarian for a routine check-up to screen for heart disease at least annually and every 6 months for older pets. To learn more about heart disease in dogs, ask your veterinarian.
If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian – they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.
The clinical signs of heart disease depend on the type of disease and severity. It is important to note that early on there may be no symptoms at all. As heart disease progresses to congestive heart failure, which occurs when the heart is unable to meet the body’s demands, a dog may develop more obvious symptoms such as fatigue, reduced willingness to walk or exercise, difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, weight loss, a distended abdomen, trouble sleeping or coughing. If you see any of these symptoms, you should have your pet seen by a veterinarian immediately.
How do you know if your dog has heart disease?
Since early heart disease is asymptomatic, it is best to take your dog to the veterinarian every year to screen for heart disease. Your veterinarian will listen to your pet’s heart for abnormal sounds like murmurs or irregular rhythms and will look for other subtle signs of heart disease. If your veterinarian suspects heart disease, they may measure blood pressure or suggest additional tests like x-rays, cardiac ultrasounds, or ECGs to confirm the diagnosis and determine the cause so that treatment can be started.
What can you do if your dog develops heart failure?
While there is no cure for congestive heart failure (CHF), fortunately there are medications available to help the heart work better. The Quality of Life and Extension of Survival Time trial (QUEST), the largest clinical trial studying of dogs with CHF, reported that dogs treated with pimobendan lived longer and enjoyed a higher quality of life compared to dogs treated with conventional therapy. Speak with your veterinarian or a veterinary cardiologist to determine which medications your dog will need depending on the type and severity of their heart disease.
What can you do to prevent heart disease in dogs?
Unfortunately, although diet and exercise are important for preventing other important diseases like obesity, diabetes and arthritis, they have not been found to prevent acquired heart disease in dogs. In fact, most forms of heart disease in dogs cannot be prevented except for one notable exception: heartworm disease. It is sad to think that 13% of all dogs in the US with heart disease have a disease that is entirely preventable. Keeping your pet on year-round heartworm preventatives can protect your pet from getting this deadly disease. Although heartworm disease can be treated, it is much easier to prevent it in the first place. In addition to preventing heartworm disease, these medications are also effective against other internal parasites and can protect your human family from zoonotic infections. Protecting your pet from heartworm disease not only makes sense, it’s also really simple!
Although heart disease in dogs cannot be prevented with the exception of heartworm disease, the goal is early diagnosis and treatment. Routine visits to the veterinarian can help catch heart disease while it is still asymptomatic. During these visits, your veterinarian will listen to your dog’s heart for murmurs or irregular rhythms and look for early signs of heart disease. Additional tests like x-rays, cardiac ultrasounds or ECGs may be ordered by your veterinarian to establish the diagnosis and determine the cause in order to start the right treatment. Starting treatment earlier can improve quality of life and extend life expectancy.
Take home message:
The take home message is that heart disease is almost as common in dogs as in people. Even though most forms cannot be prevented, heart disease caused by heartworms can easily be avoided with year-round preventatives. Likewise, in dogs who have developed heart failure, quality of life and life expectancy can be improved with early diagnosis and treatment. I recommend taking your dog to your veterinarian for a routine check-up to screen for heart disease at least annually and every 6 months for older pets. To learn more about heart disease in dogs, ask your veterinarian.
If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian – they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.
Diagnosis: Heart Disease from the Cornell Feline Health Center Congenital Defects
Most feline heart disorders are acquired during the course of an animal’s life, but others are present at birth. However, says John Bonagura, DVM, a professor of veterinary clinical sciences at the Ohio State University Veterinary Hospital, congenital feline cardiac disease is relatively rare, occurring only in an estimated one or two percent of kittens. The most common congenital disorders, he notes, are heart valve malformations and holes in the septa.
Abnormal valve development most often involves the mitral valve, located between the left atrium and the left ventricle. While a number of structural problems can occur, the end result is typically a valve that cannot close properly and thus allows blood to leak backwards into the atrium. Holes in the septa most frequently affect the membrane partitioning the right and left ventricles and may also cause the inappropriate flow of blood between the heart chambers.
Although some kittens may respond favorably to medicinal therapy for these disorders, surgical treatment is not usually feasible, says Dr. Bonagura, and the prognosis for a severe defect is generally poor. Minor defects, however, may be well tolerated and even allow a normal life.
Most feline heart disorders are acquired during the course of an animal’s life, but others are present at birth. However, says John Bonagura, DVM, a professor of veterinary clinical sciences at the Ohio State University Veterinary Hospital, congenital feline cardiac disease is relatively rare, occurring only in an estimated one or two percent of kittens. The most common congenital disorders, he notes, are heart valve malformations and holes in the septa.
Abnormal valve development most often involves the mitral valve, located between the left atrium and the left ventricle. While a number of structural problems can occur, the end result is typically a valve that cannot close properly and thus allows blood to leak backwards into the atrium. Holes in the septa most frequently affect the membrane partitioning the right and left ventricles and may also cause the inappropriate flow of blood between the heart chambers.
Although some kittens may respond favorably to medicinal therapy for these disorders, surgical treatment is not usually feasible, says Dr. Bonagura, and the prognosis for a severe defect is generally poor. Minor defects, however, may be well tolerated and even allow a normal life.
Acquired Disorders
While occasionally observed in kittens, a disease called cardiomyopathy is almost always an acquired condition and is by far the most common among all adult feline heart disorders, accounting for almost two-thirds of heart conditions diagnosed in cats. Cardiomyopathy is brought about by a structural abnormality in the muscle enclosing one or both ventricles, with the affected chamber taking on a thickened, dilated or scarred appearance. (The left ventricle is always affected; right-chamber involvement may also occur, but only rarely.)
The abnormality sets the organ’s blood-collecting and blood-pumping mechanics awry, and such dysfunction can progress to congestive heart failure —and a resulting collection of fluid in or around the lungs— and then to respiratory distress. Other potential outcomes of cardiomyopathy include paralysis-causing blood clots, which arise from the left atrium and lodge in arteries somewhere in the body— usually those supplying the rear limbs, and sudden death.
Most feline cardiomyopathies are primary diseases — those whose origins are either genetic or unknown. Some, however, are secondary diseases — those whose causes are specifically identifiable and include such conditions as anemia, hyperthyroidism and high blood pressure. Three types of disease account for nearly all of the primary cardiomyopathies:
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, according to Dr. Bonagura, is diagnosed in 85 percent to 90 percent of primary cardiomyopathy cases. Developing with no explanation other than the strong likelihood of hereditary influence, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is characterized by a thickening of the muscle tissue associated with the left ventricle.
Restrictive cardiomyopathy, which accounts for approximately 10 percent of the primary heart muscle diseases diagnosed in Dr. Bonagura’s practice, is caused by the excessive buildup of scar tissue on the inner lining and muscle of a ventricle. This prevents the organ from relaxing completely, filling adequately and emptying with each heartbeat. Most often affecting geriatric cats, this disorder is also characterized by severely enlarged atria and reduced cardiac filling and pumping efficiency.
Dilated cardiomyopathy, the third type of the disease, is comparatively rare, says Dr. Bonagura, probably accounting for only one percent or two percent of primary cardiomyopathy cases. It is characterized by an enlarged and poorly contracting left ventricle. The heart walls are thin and flaccid, which results in weak pumping and a reduced forward flow of blood from the heart.
Two Major Signs
According to Dr. Bonagura, there are two alarming signs that a cat may be suffering from advanced cardiomyopathy. “The animal can’t breathe or it can’t walk,” he says. “If it is struggling to take in air or if it can’t move its rear legs, you should seek veterinary help right away.”
Although most frequently affecting male cats, cardiomyopathy often claims the lives of females as well. While primarily occurring in older animals, the disease can also occur in kittens. And though genetic predisposition puts some breeds — Persians, Ragdolls and Maine Coons, for example — at elevated risk, no breed is immune to its threat. In addition to the three primary cardiomyopathies, Dr. Bonagura cites other acquired feline cardiac disorders regularly encountered by veterinary cardiologists: feline myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle; myocardial infarction, tissue death in an area of the heart muscle resulting from a blood clot; and “unclassified” cardiomyopathies, a category comprising hybrids of the various conditions.
Diagnostic Measures
The initial objective in diagnosing primary feline heart disease is to exclude other conditions that could yield similar cardiac signs. Says Dr. Bonagura: “We’ll listen to the animal’s heart for murmurs or abnormal sounds and measure the blood pressure to make sure it’s not hypertensive. We’ll run a blood test to rule out anemia. And we’ll check for hyperthyroidism, which can also cause an enlarged heart. If we find a thyroid problem, for instance, we’ll treat it and, with that, we’ve usually taken care of the heart disease.”
In most cases, X-rays will be taken. Sometimes an electrocardiogram or a blood test to identify heart muscle damage will be done. The definitive diagnosis, however, is achieved through an ultrasound image of the heart — an echocardiogram — which will clearly reveal any gross abnormalities. “Depending on the level of detail to which the examiner takes the echocardiogram,” says Dr. Bonagura, “the cost usually ranges between $200 and $400.” Treatment for cardioymyopathy and other heart conditions depends on the type and the severity of the disease.
Medications such as beta-blockers — which slow the patient’s heart rate, decrease its need for oxygen and reduce demands on its ventricles — are commonly used for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The drug diltiazem may be used to help the heart muscle to relax. And if heart failure occurs, diuretics and ACE inhibitors will be prescribed.
A difficult problem often facing veterinarians is deciding which drugs, if any, can effectively and safely prevent formation of blood clots in advanced cardiomyopathy. What does the future hold for those animals that have diseased hearts but have not developed blood clots or progressed to congestive heart failure? “Many cats— whether or not they’re on medication — can live for many years with stabilized disease,” Dr. Bonagura says. “But in other cats, the disease will progress and inevitably lead to life-threatening complications.”
While occasionally observed in kittens, a disease called cardiomyopathy is almost always an acquired condition and is by far the most common among all adult feline heart disorders, accounting for almost two-thirds of heart conditions diagnosed in cats. Cardiomyopathy is brought about by a structural abnormality in the muscle enclosing one or both ventricles, with the affected chamber taking on a thickened, dilated or scarred appearance. (The left ventricle is always affected; right-chamber involvement may also occur, but only rarely.)
The abnormality sets the organ’s blood-collecting and blood-pumping mechanics awry, and such dysfunction can progress to congestive heart failure —and a resulting collection of fluid in or around the lungs— and then to respiratory distress. Other potential outcomes of cardiomyopathy include paralysis-causing blood clots, which arise from the left atrium and lodge in arteries somewhere in the body— usually those supplying the rear limbs, and sudden death.
Most feline cardiomyopathies are primary diseases — those whose origins are either genetic or unknown. Some, however, are secondary diseases — those whose causes are specifically identifiable and include such conditions as anemia, hyperthyroidism and high blood pressure. Three types of disease account for nearly all of the primary cardiomyopathies:
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, according to Dr. Bonagura, is diagnosed in 85 percent to 90 percent of primary cardiomyopathy cases. Developing with no explanation other than the strong likelihood of hereditary influence, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is characterized by a thickening of the muscle tissue associated with the left ventricle.
Restrictive cardiomyopathy, which accounts for approximately 10 percent of the primary heart muscle diseases diagnosed in Dr. Bonagura’s practice, is caused by the excessive buildup of scar tissue on the inner lining and muscle of a ventricle. This prevents the organ from relaxing completely, filling adequately and emptying with each heartbeat. Most often affecting geriatric cats, this disorder is also characterized by severely enlarged atria and reduced cardiac filling and pumping efficiency.
Dilated cardiomyopathy, the third type of the disease, is comparatively rare, says Dr. Bonagura, probably accounting for only one percent or two percent of primary cardiomyopathy cases. It is characterized by an enlarged and poorly contracting left ventricle. The heart walls are thin and flaccid, which results in weak pumping and a reduced forward flow of blood from the heart.
Two Major Signs
According to Dr. Bonagura, there are two alarming signs that a cat may be suffering from advanced cardiomyopathy. “The animal can’t breathe or it can’t walk,” he says. “If it is struggling to take in air or if it can’t move its rear legs, you should seek veterinary help right away.”
Although most frequently affecting male cats, cardiomyopathy often claims the lives of females as well. While primarily occurring in older animals, the disease can also occur in kittens. And though genetic predisposition puts some breeds — Persians, Ragdolls and Maine Coons, for example — at elevated risk, no breed is immune to its threat. In addition to the three primary cardiomyopathies, Dr. Bonagura cites other acquired feline cardiac disorders regularly encountered by veterinary cardiologists: feline myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle; myocardial infarction, tissue death in an area of the heart muscle resulting from a blood clot; and “unclassified” cardiomyopathies, a category comprising hybrids of the various conditions.
Diagnostic Measures
The initial objective in diagnosing primary feline heart disease is to exclude other conditions that could yield similar cardiac signs. Says Dr. Bonagura: “We’ll listen to the animal’s heart for murmurs or abnormal sounds and measure the blood pressure to make sure it’s not hypertensive. We’ll run a blood test to rule out anemia. And we’ll check for hyperthyroidism, which can also cause an enlarged heart. If we find a thyroid problem, for instance, we’ll treat it and, with that, we’ve usually taken care of the heart disease.”
In most cases, X-rays will be taken. Sometimes an electrocardiogram or a blood test to identify heart muscle damage will be done. The definitive diagnosis, however, is achieved through an ultrasound image of the heart — an echocardiogram — which will clearly reveal any gross abnormalities. “Depending on the level of detail to which the examiner takes the echocardiogram,” says Dr. Bonagura, “the cost usually ranges between $200 and $400.” Treatment for cardioymyopathy and other heart conditions depends on the type and the severity of the disease.
Medications such as beta-blockers — which slow the patient’s heart rate, decrease its need for oxygen and reduce demands on its ventricles — are commonly used for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The drug diltiazem may be used to help the heart muscle to relax. And if heart failure occurs, diuretics and ACE inhibitors will be prescribed.
A difficult problem often facing veterinarians is deciding which drugs, if any, can effectively and safely prevent formation of blood clots in advanced cardiomyopathy. What does the future hold for those animals that have diseased hearts but have not developed blood clots or progressed to congestive heart failure? “Many cats— whether or not they’re on medication — can live for many years with stabilized disease,” Dr. Bonagura says. “But in other cats, the disease will progress and inevitably lead to life-threatening complications.”
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