Heart & circulation

Heart Sac Inflammation (Pericarditis) in Cats

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) in cats are faults in the structure of the heart that are present at birth.

Congestive heart failure (CHF) in cats is a serious syndrome that occurs when the heart does not pump blood effectively, leading to fluid retention (congestion).

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a common syndrome in dogs caused by heart dysfunction that leads to fluid build up in the chest cavity. Common symptoms of CHF are coughing, increased respiratory rate and effort,  and exercise intolerance.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in cats is the thickening of the heart muscle resulting in reduced internal volume of the heart chambers. Early signs of HCM are subtle and may include lethargy, breathing difficulties, and fainting.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs is a progressive heart disease in which the muscle weakens and stretches, losing the ability to pump blood effectively. Blood buildup causes further weakening, stretching, and congestive heart failure. 

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a condition where the muscle of the lower heart deteriorates, which causes it to stretch and lose function. Fluid accumulates in the lungs as the heart begins to fail. 

Heartworm is a serious disease in cats caused by the parasitic worm Dirofilaria immitis. The parasite lives primarily in the blood vessels that connect the heart and the lungs. Heartworm disease is uncommon in cats, but is increasingly thought to be underdiagnosed.

Feline Aortic Thromboembolism (FATE) is a life-threatening condition in which a blood clot lodges in the saddle: the final section of the aorta that provides blood to the hindlimbs of the cat. The cause of FATE is most commonly heart disease, and in rarer cases cancer or other causes.

Osteosarcoma is the formation of a malignant tumor in the bones. It is a highly metastatic cancer with a median survival rate of 2-4 months without treatment and 8-12 months with treatment. This is the most common type of bone cancer in dogs and is most prominent in large breeds and older pets.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a rare form of heart disease in dogs which results in enlargement of the heart muscles. Excessive enlargement narrows the internal size of the heart chambers, reducing blood flow.

Congenital heart defects are abnormalities of the heart that are present at birth. Development of the heart structures and function in the unborn puppy may be defective due to genetic predisposition, environmental factors in the womb, or infection.

Heartworm disease is caused by a roundworm parasite, Dirofilaria immitis. Dogs are exposed to the parasite through mosquito bites. Mosquitoes feed on an infected animal and pick up immature worms, then pass them to other animals they feed on later.