How to diagnose and treat heart disease in cats

Disclaimer: This article, its content, and its related references do not constitute veterinary advice and should not be considered a substitute for veterinary care. If your pet is showing any symptoms that could indicate a medical emergency, please seek immediate emergency care.

Heart disease is common in cats but is often asymptomatic until the condition is severe. There are many types of heart conditions a cat can have, but many share common symptoms, including difficulty breathing, increased respiratory rate, lethargy, and exercise intolerance. These symptoms also occur with other health conditions, so it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis from a veterinarian so an effective treatment plan can be made. If your cat has been diagnosed with a heart condition, read on to learn:

• Types of cardiac disease that affect cats
• How cats with heart disease are diagnosed and treated
• How to help your cat with cardiovascular disease

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition that affects the heart muscle, is the most common type of heart disease in cats. Other conditions may affect blood pressure, heart rate, heart chambers, or other parts of the heart. Treatment methods and prognoses vary between different kinds of cardiac disease. The goal of treatment is to improve heart function, slow progression, and improve quality of life for as long as possible.

Cats in the early stages of cardiovascular disease often have no obvious clinical signs. As a result, feline heart disorders often go undiagnosed until the disease is advanced, unless more subtle abnormalities are detected during routine annual exams.

Symptoms of different kinds of heart diseases are similar to each other and can also occur in other medical conditions. Diagnostic testing is necessary to determine if the symptoms are being caused by a heart problem and what that problem is. Testing may include:

• Physical exam
• Blood tests
• Chest X-ray
• Ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram)
• Electrocardiogram (measurement of the electrical impulses that control the rate and rhythm of heartbeats)
• Fluid collection and analysis

Different forms of heart disease have different treatment methods, so an accurate diagnosis is necessary.

Treatment for feline cardiovascular disease varies widely depending on the type of disease. A cat’s prognosis also varies depending on the heart condition and its severity. “Some cardiovascular conditions cannot be treated, while others can be managed to improve clinical signs,” explains Dr. Jo Myers, a veterinarian on the Vetster platform. Sometimes a cure may be available, but in many cases, the goal of treating feline cardiovascular disease is to:

• Improve cardiac function
• Regulate heart rhythm
• Minimize and slow progression of damage to the heart
• Manage any fluid accumulation in the chest or abdomen
• Minimize risk of blood clots
• Improve quality of life

An affected cat’s treatment plan may include:

• Diuretics
• ACE inhibitors and other heart medications
• Surgery to correct congenital defects
• Diet change
• Draining fluid buildup from the chest or abdomen
• Other symptomatic care

Some cats with minor or early heart disease may not require medical therapy right away. A veterinarian may recommend monitoring clinical signs and waiting before prescribing heart medication. Cats who present with severe symptoms of heart disease may need to be stabilized with intensive care in a hospital before a long-term treatment plan can be considered. If the efforts to stabilize a cat with severe cardiovascular disease are successful, ongoing therapy and close monitoring are usually necessary.

Can heart disease in cats be cured?

The ability to completely cure a cat’s heart disease depends on the underlying cause. Infectious and nutritional cardiovascular disorders may fully respond to therapy, leading to a cure. Some conditions, such as some congenital heart defects, can be fixed with surgical intervention. Other mild conditions may not require treatment. Common heart conditions, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure, usually cannot be cured or reversed. Many heart conditions in cats can be managed with medications to improve quality of life for as long as possible, even though the underlying illness continues to progress.

Every condition is different. Talk to a veterinarian about your cat’s heart condition and whether it can be cured, slowed, or managed in the long term.

If your cat has a heart condition, it’s important to follow your vet’s instructions closely regarding:

• Medication
• Diet
• Exercise
• Checkups

Cats with heart disease may require heart medication that needs to be given in the correct dose at specific times during the day. A change in diet may be recommended to promote heart health. Monitoring a cat with cardiovascular disease is important, and veterinarians on the Vetster platform are available to help by:

• Answering your questions
• Explaining the significance of any changes you observe
• Helping with the long-term management of your cat’s heart disease
• Coaching you on administration of medications or other therapeutics
• Providing ongoing support and follow-ups

Virtual vet appointments are convenient and can be done from the comfort of your own home to help avoid added stress on your cat’s heart with repeated veterinary visits.

How do I know if my cat has heart disease?

Signs of heart disease in cats can be very subtle in the early stages of disease, making them very difficult to detect from home. One common explanation for a cat who passes away suddenly without appearing to be sick is undetected heart disease. The best way to check your cat’s heart health is by visiting a veterinarian for a wellness check. Signs associated with heart disease, such as rapid breathing, are not only easy to overlook, they also occur with many other illnesses, so it’s important to see a veterinarian any time you notice changes in your cat.

What is the life expectancy of a cat with heart disease?

There are many different types of cardiovascular diseases in cats that vary in severity. Some heart conditions are benign and do not significantly affect the cat, while others can be severe and immediately life-threatening. While uncommon, some cases of feline heart disease can be completely cured. Some congenital heart conditions can be fixed with surgery, while other common conditions, such as congestive heart failure and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, usually cannot be cured. To learn more about your cat’s heart condition, talk to a veterinarian.

What can I do to help my cat with heart disease?

Each feline heart disorder is different and requires different management methods. Talk to a veterinarian about the best way to treat your cat’s condition and how you can help them at home. It’s important to get an accurate diagnosis to fully understand the extent of your cat’s heart disease and to develop a treatment plan. Some cats need medications, a change in diet, or changes to their regular exercise. Others may not require medical treatment and only need to be monitored for changes at home.