Heart failure in cats. The cat has tachycardia The kitten has a strong heartbeat

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Heart failure is not an independent disease or diagnosis - it is a syndrome in which severe dysfunction leads to the inability to maintain adequate blood circulation in the cardiovascular system. There are a limited number of specific disorders in which heart disease can cause malfunction of the cardiovascular system. In this regard, the symptoms that develop as a result of heart failure are also quite definite.

Types of heart failure in cats.

Heart failure according to functional disorders can be divided into four types:

Systolic myocardial insufficiency;
Lack of blood flow to the heart;
High blood pressure;
Increased volume of pumped blood;

Systolic myocardial insufficiency is a general decrease in the ability of the heart muscle to contract. The disease can be detected using echocardiography (ultrasound) - by reducing the movement of the wall during ventricular contraction. If the decrease becomes significant, normal blood flow cannot be maintained. Causes of systolic myocardial failure in cats include trauma, infection, poisoning, drugs, electrical shock, heat stroke, and tumors. In some cases, the cause cannot be determined.

Heart failure due to lack of venous blood flow(obstruction) can lead to reduced blood flow. Causes may be external compression of the heart (eg, fluid in the sac surrounding the heart), diastolic dysfunction due to increased wall stiffness and reduced ventricular filling, or abnormalities in the physical structures of the heart.

Heart failure due to high blood pressure develops as a result of a long-term increase in the load on the walls of the heart during contractions. The cause may be obstruction of the passage of blood from the heart or increased pressure throughout the body or in the arteries of the lungs.

Heart failure due to volume overload develops in some diseases that are accompanied by an increase in the amount of blood in the ventricles, thus increasing blood flow. Eventually, this may lead to symptoms congestive heart failure. Diseases that cause myocardial volume overload include valvular disease (eg, degenerative disease of the atrioventricular valves), left-to-right shunting (eg, patent ductus arteriosus, ventricular septal defect), or diseases such as anemia and hyperthyroidism.

Compensatory mechanisms in heart failure in cats.

The cat's cardiovascular system maintains normal blood pressure and blood flow. With heart disease, the body uses specific mechanisms to help normalize these indicators and eliminate the negative consequences that the disease has on the body. Unfortunately, long-term activation of such mechanisms can harm the heart muscle and other organs of the cat, leading to the development of heart failure.

Symptoms of heart failure in cats.

Signs of heart failure depend on the cause that led to its occurrence on which of the chambers is affected. In hyperthyroidism, the symptoms are related to pressure in the blood vessels that carry blood to the left ventricle. Fluid in the lungs and the resulting difficulty in breathing and coughing are the most common manifestations, although coughing in cats is much less common with heart failure than in dogs. Rapid breathing, loss of appetite, decreased mobility can also signal a disease.

Right-sided congestive heart failure leads to increased pressure in the veins and capillaries. The cause may be the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, chest cavity or extremities.

Biventricular insufficiency observed if both the right and left ventricles of the cat's heart are affected, for example, as a result of dilated cardiomyopathy or exposure to toxins. With this form of insufficiency, signs of both right-sided and left-sided congestive heart failure can be observed, although the symptoms of one of the forms usually predominate.

Treatment of heart failure in cats.

In the treatment of heart failure, efforts should be directed towards increasing the performance of the heart muscle, normalizing the heart rhythm and blood pressure, improving blood flow and reducing the amount of blood that fills the heart before contraction. All this, if left untreated, will further damage the heart and blood vessels. It is also necessary to reduce the amount of fluid that accumulates in the lungs, abdominal and chest cavities.

Different types of medications are used to treat heart failure in cats. Specific drugs, their dosage and frequency of administration vary greatly depending on the severity of the disease and many related factors, so only a qualified specialist can make the right choice. When treating, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the recommendations of the veterinarian, otherwise the treatment may be ineffective and even cause complications or harm the health of the cat.

Diuretics are usually used to remove excess fluid. Digitalis and digoxin are drugs from the group of positive inotropic agents that can be used to increase the contractility of the heart muscle. ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors and vasodilators may be used to dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure. Beta-adrenergic blockers (beta blockers) and calcium channel blockers may also be helpful in some cases of congestive heart failure.

In addition to medications, other treatments are sometimes recommended. These include a low-sodium diet (prescription or commercially available), oxygen therapy to increase blood oxygen levels, and surgical procedures to remove excess fluid from the chest and abdomen.

Cardiac failure develops under the following circumstances:

Symptoms

The disease proceeds in an acute or permanent form. In the first case, the symptoms are pronounced, in the second it is not easy to notice them, because the cat often sleeps.

Acute cardiac failure

During the manifest process, the animal experiences oxygen starvation, is characterized by the following symptoms:

dyspnea;
loss of consciousness;
wheezing, loud alarming meow;
paralysis of the hind limbs, complete or partial;
tachycardia;
gums become bluish.

Chronic heart failure

It develops slowly, sometimes the owner notices something was wrong after a few years. It has the following features:

lethargy, lack of playfulness;
persistent shortness of breath;
bloated belly;
thirst;
mucous membranes temporarily turn blue;
The cat has fainting spells.

Diagnostics

A preliminary diagnosis is made on the basis of clinical signs. The owner of a cat should be alert to changes in behavior. The pet avoids communication, does not play, meows plaintively. The final diagnosis is established by a veterinary cardiologist based on the clinic, as well as the following studies:

standard analysis of urine and blood;
thoracic radiograph;

Animals with confirmed heart failure are excluded from breeding.

Treatment

The life of a pet suffering from cardiac insufficiency depends on the action of a felinologist. When fainting, do the following:

lay the cat, giving the head a position on its side;
pull the tongue out of the mouth;
put a cold compress on the forehead;
fix the paws in a position above the head so that the blood rushes not to them, but to the brain;
call a veterinarian.

Treatment of acute insolvency consists of the following actions:

provide complete peace, do not turn on the TV or vacuum cleaner;
use diuretics;
if necessary, aspirate the fluid accumulated in the chest or abdominal cavity;
use ACE inhibitors, which reduce the load on the myocardium;
drip enter cardiac glycosides, glucose, electrolytes.

With chronic insolvency, they refuse natural nutrition and switch to medicated feeds with a low sodium content and a high concentration of taurine.

Myocarditis- inflammation of the heart muscle. According to the course of the disease, acute and chronic myocarditis are distinguished.

Etiology. It occurs as a primary disease, as well as a secondary one in cats that have had infectious diseases, or as a complication of non-communicable diseases (pericarditis, endocarditis, pleurisy, pneumonia, endometritis), in case of poisoning, due to allergies. Myocarditis can be focal or diffuse.

Disease symptoms. Changes in the activity of the heart caused by inflammation of the heart muscle can be difficult to distinguish from those observed in infectious and some non-communicable diseases, poisoning. They depend on the severity of the course of the underlying disease and the degree of changes in the myocardium itself. The animal's body temperature rises, appetite decreases, it is characterized by a depressed state. In the initial period of the development of the disease, the heart impulse increases, tachysystole occurs.

In the second period of the disease, the heart impulse weakens, acquires a diffuse character, and signs of heart failure increase. Heart tones are deaf, weak, endocardial murmurs appear. Electrocardiogram readings are especially characteristic. Neutrophilic leukocytosis and eosinophilia are noted. The functions of other organs and systems of the body are impaired (shortness of breath, the appearance of edema, indigestion, etc.).

The diagnosis is based on the analysis of the totality of symptoms. In differential terms, it is necessary to keep in mind pericarditis, endocarditis and myocardosis. The disease lasts from several days to several weeks, due to the nature of its course and severity. In severe cases, the animal may die from cardiac arrest. In chronic cases, myocardiofibrosis, myocardiosclerosis occur.

Treatment. The animal is provided with complete rest. Assign a diet, vitamins; coldness on the region of the heart. In the initial period, refrain from the use of cardiotonic drugs. In severe cases, inhalation of oxygen. Subsequently, a good effect is given subcutaneously - an oily solution of camphor, inside - captopril, capoten, ramipril, corazole, cordiamin, corvaton, sydnopharm.

Digitalis preparations are contraindicated!

Diphenhydramine, amidopyrine, phenkarol, suprastin are used as antiallergic agents. The use of kurantil, cocarboxylase, intercordin, obzidan, fenocaberan is also shown.

Prevention consists in the prevention of primary diseases that cause inflammation of the heart muscle, toxicosis; desensitization.

Myocardosis- dystrophy of the heart muscle (changes in the heart muscle, its degeneration). The disease proceeds in the form of myocardial dystrophy and myocardial degeneration.

The etiology of the disease is diverse (contagious, metabolic diseases, violation of hygiene content). Myocardial trophism, its material and energy metabolism are disturbed, leading to destructive changes, circulatory failure, cyanosis, edema, functional, and then morphological changes in parenchymal organs.

Symptoms depend on the form and stage of the disease, its duration. Animals show general weakness, loss of appetite, they are inactive, lie more, and take different postures, in which pressure on the heart decreases. When moving, shortness of breath is noticeable, swelling of the extremities appears, around the neck, arrhythmia, a decrease in the frequency and strength of heart contractions. Muscle tone is weakened.

The diagnosis is based on the analysis of the totality of symptoms. The disease should be differentiated from the second stage of myocarditis. With myocardosis, unlike myocarditis, body temperature is within normal limits, there is no pain in the heart area.

Treatment. The animal is provided with complete rest in a dark place. More effective treatment at the onset of the disease. Eliminate its causes, prescribe a carbohydrate diet, trace elements. The appointments of cardiac glycosides, camphor, cordiamine, corvaton, sydnopharm, corinfar, corazole, prazosin, pratenol, adverzuten, nipruton, erizin, hytalen, digalen-neo, lactoside, celanide, isolanide, tincture of lily of the valley, 0.06% corglycone, adonizide, eryzimine, anabolic agents (vitamin C, thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine and other B vitamins; potassium orotate, cocarboxylase); symptomatic treatment.

Prevention is reduced to the prevention of intoxication, hygiene measures.

Endocarditis- inflammation of the inner lining of the heart; is acute and chronic; valvular and parietal (according to the localization of the process); warty (verrucous) and ulcerative (ulcerous) according to pathological changes.

It usually occurs as a secondary disease as a result of infectious-toxic lesions and as a complication of myocarditis. Often the disease is complicated by degenerative and necrotic changes in the valves facing the blood flow, passes to the papillary ligaments and muscles. With varicose lesions, grayish and gray-brown growths appear on the valves, and with ulcerative lesions, ulcerous lesions are visible, covered with a loose fibrous mass; valve perforation, embolism, septicopyemic syndrome may occur.

Symptoms depend on the form, duration and nature of the primary disease. The animal is characterized by a sharply depressed state, anorexia, fever (often relapsing), heart failure, muffled heart tones, endocardial murmurs, and neutrophilia. On the mucous membranes and on the tender areas of the skin, hemorrhages are noted.

The course of acute endocarditis is from several days to several weeks, a transition to a chronic form with the occurrence of heart defects is possible. Often complicated by myocarditis. A complication is possible in the form of the appearance of sudden signs of embolism, followed by the cessation of the function of the cardiac or respiratory center.

The diagnosis is made on the basis of clinical and special studies (blood test, recording of blood flow velocity, blood pressure, cardiogram). It is important to differentiate from myocarditis and dry pericarditis.

Treatment is aimed at eliminating the primary disease. The cat is provided with complete rest, the place of rest is darkened. Cold is shown on the region of the heart. Important are general anti-stress measures, means that help reduce the intoxication of the body (vitamins, macro- and microelements, etc.).

A good effect is the use of antibiotics, sulfonamides, salicylates, antiallergic drugs, as well as oxygen inhalations. In the future, an oily solution of camphor, glucose, isotonic electrolyte solutions, cardiac glycosides, ramipril, captopril, capoten, prazosin, sydnopharm, hydralazine, endralazine, etc. are used.

Prevention consists in the prevention of infectious diseases, intoxications, in hygienic measures, and in increasing the body's resistance.

Pericarditis- inflammation of the pericardium.

Etiology. The disease usually occurs as secondary to infectious diseases (eg, tuberculosis). Predispose to pericarditis weakening of the resistance of the animal, hypothermia, exhaustion, overwork, stress. Inflammation can move to the pericardium from nearby tissues (pleura, myocardium). Pericarditis is acute and chronic; focal and diffuse; serous, fibrinous, hemorrhagic, purulent and putrefactive; dry and exudative.

The disease begins with the deposition of fibrin in the pericardial cavity and the formation of adhesions. Dry pericarditis turns into an exudative form, there is swelling of the parenchymal organs. Pericarditis may be complicated by myocarditis. There is a long-term intoxication of the body with inflammation products, the depletion of the animal.

Symptoms of the disease depend on the degree and stage of its development, the origin and nature of the pathological process. Dry pericarditis occurs against the background of fever, tachysystole, pain in the region of the heart, and depression of the animal.

With the development of the disease, friction noises appear, coinciding with the phases of the heart rhythm, and with the transition to the exudative form, noises of splashing, gurgling, clicking, hissing foam appear; there are tachysystolia, arrhythmia, heart tones are muffled, the zone of cardiac dullness increases, the pulse is filiform, the heart impulse is diffuse (scattered), cyanosis. The animal develops shortness of breath, swelling.

The course of the disease depends on its cause and nature. Dry pericarditis can quickly end in complete recovery, and exudative is more prolonged and difficult.

The diagnosis is based on the analysis of the totality of symptoms and x-ray studies. Sometimes they do a puncture of the heart shirt. The disease is differentiated from dropsy, dry and effusion pleurisy, myocarditis and endocarditis.

Treatment is focused primarily on the elimination of the primary disease. The animal is provided with complete rest. In the initial stage - cold on the heart area, restriction of water and feed. Prescribe diuretics, laxatives, iodine and cardiotonic drugs (Corvaton, pratsilol, adver-zuten, hydralazine), as well as glucose, antibiotics, cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, sulfonamides, prednisolone, acetylsalicylic acid, reopyrine, ibuprofen, indomethacin, nife-dipines . In the presence of indications, a puncture and suction of the contents of the pericardium are performed.

cat heart

Like in humans, the cat's heart is the main link in the circulatory system, it is a muscular hollow organ located in the chest behind the middle bone and is essentially a pump for pumping blood. First, blood enters the right side of the heart, from where it is pumped out through the pulmonary artery to the lungs for oxygen saturation. Then the already saturated blood enters the left side of the heart, which pumps it further into the aorta, from where it is distributed throughout the body. Both the left and right sides of the heart consist of an upper chamber, the atrium, and a lower chamber, the ventricle. Valves (tricuspid on the right side and mitral on the left) prevent the return of blood to the atrium from the ventricle during its contraction. The muscles of the ventricles, connected to the valves by tendons, prevent them from being pushed towards the atria.

Heart pathology in cats

The heart of pets, like the human heart, is also prone to various diseases. Pathologies of the cardiovascular system can be both acquired and congenital. Genetic predisposition to heart defects have large breeds of Maine Coon, British and Scottish, as well as Persian, Abyssinian, Sphynx.

Many heart diseases develop gradually, often over several years. And when the animal begins to show clinical signs, the body usually already has serious disorders.

Cardiomyopathy are the most common cardiac pathologies in cats. Their causes often remain unclear.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(“fat big heart”) is a major heart disease in cats, which is characterized by thickening of the heart muscle and, consequently, a decrease in the volume of the ventricles. With timely detection, this disease is treated quite well, and improving the nutrition of the heart muscle and reducing the load on it can keep the pet healthy for many years.

Other heart diseases:

Pathologies of an inflammatory nature(myocarditis and endocarditis) are both infectious and non-infectious (aseptic) in nature.

When the immune system of a cat is significantly weakened due to some kind of infection, for example, a viral one, then pathogenic bacteria (sometimes fungi) can penetrate into the lining of the heart with the blood flow and cause septic inflammation, which, without timely treatment, can result in acute heart failure.

Non-infectious inflammation of the heart muscle occurs in cats as a result of the use of certain drugs (for example, cytostatics, painkillers, or anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)).

Myocarditis- inflammatory damage to the heart muscle, which occurs as a complication of sepsis, pancreatitis, panleukopenia, pyometra, uremia, as well as acute intoxication. Myocarditis is acute and chronic and manifests itself in violation of the rhythm of heart contractions.

Myocardosis- a heart disease of a non-inflammatory nature, characterized by dystrophic processes in the myocardium (the muscular layer of the heart). Unbalanced feeding, intoxication in chronic infectious, parasitic, gynecological and other non-communicable diseases lead to its development.

Secondary cardiomyopathies in cats, they occur as a result of diseases of other organs, for example, with deviations in the functioning of the thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). Continuous tachycardia due to increased levels of thyroid hormones in the blood leads to a thickening of the wall of the left ventricle of the heart and, consequently, a decrease in the volume of ejected blood. The heart is working hard.

Congenital pathologies(cardiac arrhythmias and disorders in the heart valves) are usually associated with underdevelopment of the valvular apparatus of the heart, with a violation of the generation and conduction of a nerve impulse to the myocardium, resulting in severe arrhythmias.

But severe genetic heart abnormalities in adult cats are rarely diagnosed, as they usually lead to the death of kittens at an early age.

Congenital pathologies of the heart of cats and cats. non-closure of the ductus arteriosus of the heart, narrowing (stenosis) of the opening of the pulmonary artery, stenosis of the aortic orifice.

Cardiac arrhythmias not necessarily initially associated with heart disease itself. They can occur in various diseases of other systems and organs. But with prolonged secondary arrhythmia, pathological changes will eventually appear in the heart muscle itself.

Arrhythmia (with the exception of a congenital disorder) is not always a separate disease. To establish its cause, a number of studies are often required, since drugs prescribed for one type of rhythm disturbance are contraindicated for another.

Symptoms

Appearance clear clinical symptoms cardiomyopathy in cats suggests that the pathological process in the heart is already sufficiently developed, and it is no longer possible to cure a sick animal.

Dyspnea(heavy breathing) In the pleural cavity (the slit-like space between the layers of the pleura - the membranes that surround each lung) there is an accumulation of fluid. As a result, a cat, with little physical exertion or even just at rest, breathes with his tongue or stomach hanging out, and not his lungs.
Asphyxiation
Fainting, loss of consciousness. accompanied by shallow breathing and thready pulse
Cough When the heart muscle increases in volume due to pathology, it begins to put pressure on the nearby trachea, as a result, the animal develops a reflex cough. But this symptom is usually inherent in dogs, cats with heart disease rarely cough. A characteristic symptom for cats is shortness of breath.
Ascites(fluid in the abdomen) edema
Unproductive vomiting. decrease in body temperature below 37°, total weakness

Other symptoms of heart failure are not specific and can occur in other diseases. These are: limited physical activity, general weakness and fatigue, drowsiness, loss of appetite. Thus, if a cat sleeps all the time, then perhaps this is not a manifestation of its phlegmatic character, but one of the signs of a disease of the cardiovascular system.

Many cats can lead an active life until their heart is drastically deformed and its chambers become so large that blood flow slows down, forming blood clots. One such large blood clot is able to clog vital arteries.

Kittens with heart disease are weak, lag behind in development and gain weight poorly.

Diagnostics

Only a doctor can determine that the symptoms of malaise in a pet are related specifically to heart disease. And often a clinical examination and listening to heart murmurs is not enough to make a diagnosis and additional examinations are needed. What may be required for diagnosis:

Anamnesis (collection of information from the owner) Physical examination (examination, palpation, listening with a phonendoscope (auscultation)) Tonometry (pressure measurement) Electrocardiography (ECG - measurement of the electrical activity of the heart) - is not an informative method for diagnosing heart diseases, is used to identify pathologies associated with a violation of the rhythm of blood circulation X-ray (the main diagnostic method) - provides information about the shape and size of the heart, the condition of the lungs (the presence of edema, blood stasis, etc.). Pictures must be of high quality. Echocardiography (ultrasound is the main diagnostic method) - provides information about the wall thickness, the size and shape of the atria, the diameter of the aorta, the rhythm of contractions, the presence of blood clots, etc. Modern ultrasound machines can use the Doppler effect to assess blood flow.

Prevention and treatment

Of course, a sedentary lifestyle, malnutrition and, as a result, obesity are the main enemies of a cat's heart.

But heart disease does not always affect pets with only a "sofa" lifestyle. After all, some cats may have a genetic predisposition or a congenital pathology. Therefore, it is advisable to conduct a diagnostic examination of the pet soon after purchase. And be sure to ask the doctor every time to listen to his heart during visits to the clinic, for example, for vaccination.

One of the indicators of a latent form of cardiopathology is pulmonary edema caused by a complication after the use of anesthesia. Therefore, before any operation, an examination (ultrasound) is recommended for animals, especially for cats of risk breeds.

Heart disease can have varying degrees of manifestation, for example, even remain at an early stage for 12-14 years.

In the case of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the pet can live a full life, but an annual examination will be required.

With a developing pathology, the cat is registered with a cardiologist, her condition is monitored, and tablets are prescribed for treatment.

Cats do not undergo heart surgery, so only medical treatment is possible. And if a pet is diagnosed with chronic heart disease, then this treatment will be long-term or, most likely, lifelong.

The task of cardiac therapy is to facilitate the work of the heart, reduce the load on it, correct heart rhythm and blood pressure, as well as improve blood supply and nutrition of the myocardium.

Each pathology of the heart requires the use of certain drugs. Therefore, their selection and dose for a particular patient must be determined by the doctor.

Sick animals need rest, as any stress (the arrival of guests, the vacuum cleaner turned on, transportation in transport) can aggravate the situation.

And, of course, you need proper nutrition. For the prevention of heart disease, it is very important that the pet receives a sufficient amount of taurine and proteins. For cats with heart disease, there are special ready-made diets.

Timely diagnosis will allow you to notice the heart problems of a four-legged pet when not everything is lost, and if it is impossible to fully restore the work of this important organ, then it is quite possible to improve the quality and increase the life expectancy of a cat.

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Wednesday, 06/03/2015, 10:35

The cat remains alive thanks to the tireless efforts of a single muscle - its heart. Unfortunately, cat hearts are prone to a serious disease called cardiomyopathy. Since most cats sleep most of the day, the early symptoms of heart disease, expressed in severe fatigue, often go unnoticed even by the most diligent owners. Untreated cardiomyopathy is a life-threatening animal disease. In order to notice the early signs of this serious disease, the veterinarian should carefully listen to the cat's heart at each routine examination.

This is perhaps the most serious heart disease in cats. There are many types of this disease, but hypertrophied cardiomyopathy is considered the most common. It is associated with a marked increase in the mass of the heart muscle that surrounds one of the two largest chambers of the heart, the left ventricle. This muscle is responsible for pumping blood through the aorta, the largest artery in the body. Another disease called extensive cardiomyopathy is associated with weakening of the heart muscle, but it is less common.

General symptoms.

A normal, healthy cat can sleep up to 16 hours a day, and because few owners know exactly how much their cats are awake and play, they often overlook the subtle symptoms of cardiomyopathy. These symptoms are indeed so difficult to notice that often the veterinarian discovers them only by examining the cat in connection with other diseases. There are also cases when the disease does not make itself felt at all. Then the cat may experience a sudden deterioration in the condition. However, common symptoms of cardiomyopathy include:

- Difficulty breathing (less often - coughing) due to the accumulation of fluid in the lungs or in the chest;

- lack of appetite;

- drowsiness and lethargy;

- fainting;

- weight loss;

- bloating;

- vomiting in some cases;

- inability to lean on the hind legs: they can hurt a cat suffering from cardiomyopathy. This is because blood clots that form in a diseased heart travel into the hind legs through the arteries that supply them with blood.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can be the result of various complications caused by high blood pressure caused by kidney failure or hyperthyroidism. However, in most cases, the cause of the disease remains unknown. Major cardiomyopathy develops in cats that do not get enough of an essential amino acid (the building block of protein) called taurine. This disease is almost never seen in cats fed high quality cat food.

How serious is this?

Cardiomyopathy is life-threatening, but if the cause of the disease is determined, then many or even all changes in the heart muscle can be reversible. But even if the causes of the disease are not clear, then treatment can reduce its symptoms for long periods. One of the most serious complications of cardiomyopathy are blood clots that attach to the walls of the arteries of the hind legs of a cat: thrombus formation cannot be controlled and treated.

Cats are at risk.

Cardiomyopathy is most common in non-pedigreed cats, especially those with long hair. The reason for this is unknown. Males are 4 times more likely than females to suffer from this disease, and even five-month-old kittens can get sick.

Your actions.

If you notice the symptoms described above in your cat, you should contact your veterinary center as soon as possible. The veterinarian will, of course, first take a medical history and then move on to a complete clinical examination of the cat. In particular, he will need a stethoscope in order to listen to your cat's heartbeat. If the veterinarian comes to the conclusion that the animal really suffers from a heart disease, then he will want to perform an X-ray and ultrasound examination, an ECG and a blood test. He may also be interested in how and what your cat eats.

If your cat has heart problems and fluid builds up in her chest and lungs, her veterinarian will prescribe medications to reduce the workload on her heart and help drain fluid from where it has accumulated. The cat will need urgent treatment if symptoms indicate that blood clots have clogged the arteries that supply blood to the hind legs. If further research indicates that the cardiomyopathy is caused by some other disease, then your veterinarian will prescribe the appropriate treatment. For example, if the cat suffers from hyperthyroidism, the veterinarian may recommend surgery or medications that affect the thyroid gland. If it turns out that the cat does not have enough taurine, then she will definitely need to add preparations containing this essential amino acid to her food. If the cause of the disease is still not established, then the veterinarian will prescribe a course of treatment with medications that can support a diseased heart.

Aftercare.

At home, you will need to carefully give the cat all the medicines prescribed by the veterinarian and strictly follow his instructions for caring for the animal. If your cat has a heart condition, then it should not be allowed outside; she needs to rest a lot.

Many problems of the cardiovascular and circulatory system are caused by an increase in the amount of fluid in the body. This swelling, or congestion, may present as swollen limbs, pulmonary or abdominal edema (known as ascites or dropsy). Edema can be the cause of heart failure, when the heart is unable to provide the necessary blood circulation and excess fluid begins to accumulate in the tissues. Liver disease or tumors can cause edema, and ascites is often the result of feline infectious peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum).

Symptoms.

Swollen, swollen limbs or swelling of any part of the body; enlarged, tense abdominal cavity; weight loss and energy.

Treatment of edema with alternative medicine methods:

- aromatherapy. Lemon, birch, sandalwood and juniper can be injected with massage;

- homeopathy. The following remedies should be given in chronic doses: Apis mel. - with edema, accompanied by pits after pressure and a special thirst for a cat; Acetic acid and Eel serum - with stagnation of blood circulation (and especially edema), if the cat suffers from thirst; and Adonis and Digitalis in circulatory stasis due to heart disease;

- herbal medicine. Bearberry, dandelion, dill seeds, elderberry, hawthorn, juniper berries, parsley and blackthorn (all in the form of an infusion) are ideal remedies for circulatory stasis. Any of these means alone is effective, but together they can be given no more than two components at the same time;

– minor therapies and biochemical salts. Calc. sulph. and Nat. sulph. very effective (both at doses for chronic diseases); the second is especially useful in diseases of the liver;

- Chinese medicine. Plums, beans, and mung beans are recommended in Chinese medicine for congestion; give them as follows: one diced plum every other day; 1/2 shell beans, chopped, each day 1/2 tsp sprouted mung beans every day;

- crystals and gems. You can give liquid pearls;

- supplements. If diuretics are given (to remove excess water), potassium supplementation is necessary, as diuretics cause potassium loss. Your veterinarian will give you more detailed advice.

Some cats are born with heart defects and they may also experience problems with the electrical control mechanisms of the heart. A common disease is congestive heart failure, when the heart cannot provide the necessary blood flow to the tissues. All the natural treatments offered here are compatible with any prescribed medication. It is also important to reduce the amount of salt in food, try to get the cat to get rid of excess weight and encourage her to move more.

Symptoms.

Shortness of breath, cough, unwillingness to move, edema and ascites, weight loss and liver disease.

Treatment of heart disease with alternative medicine methods:

- aromatherapy. Mint rubbed in during massage will help with heart and circulatory problems.

- homeopathy. The following remedies will help (all in doses for chronic diseases): Crataegus and Digitalis for weak heart and poor circulation; Spongia tosta and Rumex crispus for cough associated with heart disease; Cactus grand - in pain; Lycopus - with palpitations; Adonis and Strophantus for problems with the heart valve. Lauro-cerasus is beneficial in congested lungs and in cyanosis (poor blood oxygenation); you can also give a tincture (1 drop every 15 minutes for 1-2 days) if there is a danger of cyanosis.

- herbal medicine. Capsicum, Rosemary and Convallaria: An infusion of one or more of these ingredients will help remove excess fluid and improve heart function.

- subordinate therapies and biochemical salts. Salk. fluor. (dose for chronic diseases) will increase the strength of the heart muscle; Kali phos. (also in a chronic dose) will help stabilize the electrical potential of the heart.

- Chinese medicine. Give sweet corn and whole grains of wheat (1/2 tsp).

- crystals and gems. Ruby (in liquid form) can be given by mouth or added to water.

This life-threatening cat disease occurs when blood clots accumulate where the aorta (the main blood vessel of the heart) splits in two to supply blood to the hind legs. This disease usually accompanies problems in the work of the heart. In such a state, constant veterinary supervision is urgently needed, and natural medicines should be given immediately to prevent collapse and shock.

Symptoms.

Sudden paralysis of the hind limbs: the cat may scream in pain, she may go into shock, and her hind legs will quickly become cold.

- homeopathy. Aconite (acute dosage) is ideal for this condition and can be put into the mouth as a powder. Carbo vegetabilis and Ver. alb. (dose for acute forms) are also applicable;

- herbal medicine. An infusion of black elderberry flowers will help relieve shock;

- Bach flower essences. First Aid Essence (as in many other emergencies) is the perfect remedy for a cat suffering from shock and pain; a couple of drops can be given directly to her mouth;

- subordinate therapies and biochemical salts. Nat. sulph. (dosage for acute forms) can be sprinkled in the cat's mouth to reduce shock;

- crystals and gems. Pearls (in the form of water infusion) can be given to the cat a few drops in the mouth.

Symptoms.

One or more lymph nodes become enlarged and hardened, and the cat shows signs of general malaise (including loss of energy and indifference to food). Enlarged nodes under the chin, under the armpits and behind the knees are easily palpable.

- homeopathy. The following remedies may be given (dosage as in chronic diseases): Baryta carb. - with an increase in the lymph glands in kittens and old cats; Calc.fluor. ё with very hard lymph nodes; conium mac. - with hard knots in a debilitated cat with weak hind legs and urinary incontinence. Phytolacca in its homeopathic form is especially effective for swollen cervical glands and inflammation of the mammary glands in cats, given as tablets 3 times a day for a week and then 2 times a day for another 3 weeks.

- herbal medicine. Echinacea or phytolacca can be given as an infusion. Seaweed, crushed and added to apple cider, can be applied as a compress to swollen lymph nodes, especially if they are inflamed and painful.

- subordinate therapies, crystals and stones. Topaz is recommended (in the form of an infusion), which can be given to the cat in a few drops in the mouth or added to drinking water.

The respiratory organs of a cat consist of nasal openings, a trachea and a whole network of small tubes connecting it to thousands of tiny chambers in the lungs, where oxygen enters the blood, and carbon dioxide released from the blood is excreted from the body. Cat flu, or viral upper respiratory disease in cats, is a serious illness that affects all animals and can lead to chronic rhinitis. Other diseases that can affect the cat's respiratory organs and chest are exudative pleurisy (pyothorax - purulent pleurisy) and bronchial diseases.

Cats can suffer from a variety of diseases affecting their lower respiratory organs (bronchi), which always disrupt the normal flow of air into and out of the lungs. Among these diseases are asthma, as well as bronchitis, the characteristic symptom of which is inflammation of the bronchi.

General symptoms.

The symptoms of this disease are caused by blockage of the airways. As a result, the bronchi narrow due to thickening of their walls and (or) fluid or mucus accumulates in them. A sick cat has a dry cough, which is often accompanied by severe attacks. In severe cases, the cat may breathe through the mouth instead of the nose.

How serious is this?

The symptoms of this disease are not pronounced and last for a long time, but in a cat suffering from bronchial diseases, breathing can suddenly become difficult and this already requires urgent action.

Your actions.

If your cat suddenly has a coughing fit, leave her alone: holding her in your arms will prevent her from breathing normally. True, if the room is dusty or smoky, take the animal out of there. Close all doors and watch the cat. If the cough does not stop and breathing remains difficult, contact your veterinary center immediately. If the cat's breathing calms down quickly, treat it as usual, but do not let it go outside for several days and carefully observe its behavior. If the coughing fit recurs, take her to the vet. The doctor will examine the animal and listen to it with a stethoscope. It can trigger a coughing fit by gently squeezing the cat's trachea. Further examination may include analysis of a windpipe swab, a blood test, a stool test (to check if the cat has worms), and an x-ray.

If the cat's breathing is very difficult, the veterinarian may give her medication to clear her airways and make breathing easier. The cat may also be given oxygen. These urgent measures can be taken even before the examination. Having discovered the cause of the disease, the veterinarian will treat the animal accordingly. For example, if a cat has lung worms, then she will be given an antihelminthic, and if the airways are inflamed, then she will receive antibiotics. If the cause of the disease could not be established, then the cat may have an allergy or some substance in the air irritates her respiratory tract. In this case, you should carefully inspect all the places in the house where the cat spends time (the veterinarian will help you make a list of possible irritants). If the cause of the bronchial disease could not be established or removed, then the cat will need long-term treatment aimed at reducing the symptoms of the disease.

Aftercare.

If possible, let the cat breathe fresh air as often as possible; inhaling the steam will help to get rid of the mucus that has accumulated in the airways. Take it to another room when vacuuming and if you smoke indoors, then immediately stop smoking or smoke, but on the street or on the balcony!

In this disease, liquid pus accumulates in the chest of a cat, formed as a result of a bacterial infection. It may be an abscess that occupies the entire chest.

The causes of exudative pleurisy often remain unclear, but among them the following are possible:

- penetrating wound of the chest;

- an infection introduced through the skin (for example, a subcutaneous abscess);

- rupture of the esophagus;

- movements of a foreign body (for example, a seed of grass);

- lung infection.

General symptoms.

In many cases, the symptoms develop suddenly, even though the cat did not appear to be in good health for some time before they appeared. Symptoms of this disease are varied, but among them may be the following:

- rapid breathing (a healthy cat takes from 24 to 42 breaths per minute);

- labored breathing;

- lethargy, apathy;

- weight loss;

- fever.

How serious is this?

A cat suffering from exudative pleurisy is seriously ill, but appropriate intensive treatment will help to quickly cope with the disease if it is detected in time.

Cats are at risk.

All cats are at risk.

Your actions.

If your cat has any of the above symptoms, take her to the veterinarian as soon as possible. If she is having difficulty breathing, contact a veterinary center immediately. The doctor will carefully examine the animal, possibly taking blood and a sample of fluid accumulated in the chest for analysis and taking an X-ray of the cat.

If your cat's breathing becomes increasingly difficult, the veterinarian will take immediate action by giving her oxygen or deciding on a chest drain. Then the doctor will prescribe a treatment that will pursue the following goals:

- eliminate the hidden cause of the disease (if it is known);

- drain fluid from the chest with an admixture of pus;

- get bacterial infection under control;

- prevent further formation of fluid in the chest.

For treatment, your cat will be left at the veterinary center. There, the liquid will be constantly pumped out of her chest using a syringe with a large needle. However, the veterinarian, perhaps under general anesthesia, will insert an appropriately sized drain that will remain permanently in the cat's chest while she is on antibiotics. Drainage will be removed only when the formation of fluid stops and the chest of the animal is released. With the help of a drain (tube), the veterinarian will also be able to wash the cat's chest with special disinfectant solutions containing antibiotics.

Aftercare.

When the cat returns home, you will need to give her the medication prescribed by the veterinarian until she fully recovers.

Prevention.

Never overlook a bite wound from your cat. Such a wound may not seem dangerous at first, but it can turn into an abscess, which, in turn, will lead to serious complications, such as exudative pleurisy. For this reason, always carefully examine your cat for a wound if you know it has fought with another cat or other animal.

This disease is more commonly referred to as cat flu. This is a contagious disease that spreads rapidly among animals when, for some reason, many cats gather in one place (for example, in cat hotels or cat rescue centers).

General symptoms.

The exact symptoms of the disease can vary depending on the cause of the disease and the ability of the cat's immune system to fight off the infection. Feline herpesvirus is usually accompanied by severe symptoms; feline calicivirus may be asymptomatic, however, if symptoms do appear, they often resemble signs of herpesvirus, depending on the type of virus that has affected the cat. However, common flu symptoms can include:

- refusal of food, depression;

- fever;

- sneezing;

- reddened, inflamed eyes;

- discharge from the nose;

- cough (sudden);

- sores on the tongue (especially with calpicivirus).

Many infectious organisms can cause feline influenza, but by far the most important and common are feline herpesvirus, also known as rhinotracheal virus and feline calicivirus. A cat becomes ill when it comes into contact with an animal already infected with the flu. However, since cats, after recovering, are carriers of viruses for some time, a cat can get sick after contact with a healthy animal that had the flu in the past. Contaminated items (such as a food bowl) can also become sources of infection.

How serious is this?

Cats suffering from the flu are very sick, but usually recover. However, very young or very old animals who become ill with a severe form of influenza can die. A cat that has recovered from the flu may still suffer from some chronic disease, such as chronic rhinitis, for a long time.

Cats are at risk.

All cats can get the flu.

Your actions.

If your cat starts sneezing or exhibits any of the other symptoms described above, do not let her out and take her to the vet. Perhaps the doctor, only by examining the cat, will confirm your hunch that the animal is suffering from the flu, but he will not be able to immediately tell which of the two viruses caused the disease. If this needs to be clarified, the veterinarian will take a swab from the cat's throat for analysis.

Generally, there are no antiviral drugs, but treatment of the animal is necessary in order to prevent short-term or chronic complications. The treatment for influenza is to constantly care for the cat, make her eat at least a little, drink, and give her medicines prescribed by a doctor that can relieve her condition. Your cat may need some or all of the following:

- antibiotics. May be required to cope with bacterial infections that may result from tissue damage from the initial viral infection;

- mucolytics. These drugs may be needed in order to dissolve and remove mucus accumulated in the animal's respiratory tract from the body;

- multivitamins. The veterinarian may prescribe them in order to increase the appetite of a sick cat;

- special solutions. They are administered through a dropper if the cat's body is dehydrated due to illness, but she herself does not drink at the same time;

- liquid food. It is needed when a sick animal that refuses food has to be force-fed through a special tube.

Aftercare.

If the cat is very sick, then she will need to spend some time in the veterinary center, where she will be given intensive care. However, if you want and can take care of the cat at home, then the veterinarian will most likely ask you about it, because the animal is better and calmer at home; At home, the cat will probably eat. The veterinarian will explain to you in detail what and how to do it. You will likely have to clean out discharge from the corners of the cat's eyes and nose, keep it warm at all times (do not let it out when sick), and feed and water the animal and generally care for it. It is possible that it will be several weeks before the cat is cured of the flu. Because this disease is contagious, you must remember that the cat will carry the virus. Eight out of ten cats infected with herpesvirus lived a long time. However, if your cat is infected with herpesvirus, then for other animals, it is likely to be dangerous only at times, especially when it is under stress: physical or mental. It can be caused by moving to another house, another infectious disease. During this time, the cat will spread the virus around him, although he will not show any symptoms. If a cat is infected with feline calicivirus, it is likely to be a carrier for a short time, although it may be up to two years. If you don't know exactly what type of virus your cat is infected with, then you should remember that it can be a carrier of both viral infections. You must do everything to ensure that after suffering the flu, the cat is not stressed. If the female has had the flu in the past and is now pregnant, be sure to ask your veterinarian for advice on how to care for her during this period.

Prevention.

The cat's immune system responds faster and more effectively to infection if the cat has been vaccinated. You should ensure that your cat is regularly vaccinated against both herpesvirus and calicivirus. Vaccines against these viruses will not prevent the cat from becoming infected and will not reduce its chances of becoming a carrier of the infection after recovery, but they will greatly ease the course of the disease if the cat does catch the flu. Typically, these vaccines are mixed with others. Usually two vaccinations are given four weeks apart and then repeated every 12 months. Newborn kittens receive natural protection from the virus from their mother, but this protection is short-lived. In most cases, they should have their initial vaccination course at nine to twelve weeks of age. Even a cat that has had the flu should be regularly vaccinated against it. Firstly, because the immunity she received is short-lived, and secondly, because there are many types of feline calicivirus that can provoke the disease.

More commonly known as "chronic runny nose," chronic rhinitis is a long-term inflammatory condition that affects the inside of the nose.

General symptoms.

Most cats with chronic rhinitis do well. However, the symptoms of this disease include the following:

- yellow, gray or green mucous discharge from the nostrils within the last 4 weeks;

- periodic sneezing;

- periodic loss of appetite.

Chronic rhinitis usually occurs as a complication after a feline viral upper respiratory infection.

How serious is this?

To cope with the symptoms of chronic rhinitis is very difficult, so the disease requires long-term treatment. Some cats with chronic rhinitis may be long-term carriers of feline herpesvirus and feline calicivirus, viruses that cause flu in cats, which sick animals can infect healthy ones.

Cats are at risk.

All unvaccinated cats are at risk of getting the flu, the main cause of chronic rhinitis.

Your actions.

If your cat starts to sneeze and develops nasal discharge, contact your veterinarian immediately. This is necessary in order to minimize the degree of damage to the inside of the nose if it turns out that the animal has the flu. A cat should not be allowed outside while she is sick. This requirement must be met not only so that she is warmer and more lying, and you can monitor her condition at the same time, but also so that she does not infect other cats. If your cat sneezes from time to time, if nasal discharge has been bothering her for a long time (either since the day she came into your house as a kitten, or after she had the flu), you should definitely take her to the veterinarian. Don't take the symptoms of chronic rhinitis lightly! Most likely, the disease will not go away on its own, and the longer the cat is sick, the more difficult it is to cope with the symptoms of chronic rhinitis. Your veterinarian will first listen to you carefully, and then carefully examine the animal. He may suggest taking the following measures (all or only some of them):

- X-ray examination of the nose and sinuses;

- conduct a laboratory study of discharge from the nose;

- do special blood tests to find out if the cat is suffering from leukemia or from an immunodeficiency viral infection, and possibly both of these viruses, which could weaken the animal's immune system, causing the infection to pass into the nose.

Coping with chronic rhinitis can be very difficult because there is a constant danger of inflammation of the nasal mucosa, and the normally harmless bacteria living in this part of the body can become the cause of a new disease almost at any time. Be that as it may, the treatment of chronic rhinitis may consist of:

- taking antibiotics. Your veterinarian will likely give your cat a course of antibiotics to give her by mouth for 4-6 weeks. In many cases, the symptoms of chronic rhinitis return as soon as antibiotics are stopped, so the animal may need a second course if necessary;

- taking other drugs. The veterinarian may also prescribe a course of mucolytics to the cat in order to clear the nose of mucus;

- surgical intervention. The operation, in which diseased tissues are removed and the sinuses are washed with a disinfectant solution, is extremely rare in the most severe cases, because its results are often disastrous.

Aftercare.

At home, you will need to give the cat medicines and make sure that her face and nose are kept clean. You may need to feed her, as she may lose her sense of smell for a while. It will be helpful for your cat to breathe in the steam, so invite her into the bathroom with you when you shower or bathe. Even better, put the cat in a cage, put a bowl of boiling water next to it and cover the cage with the bowl with a towel so that the cat can inhale the hot steam. It is good to add a few drops of menthol or eucalyptus essence to the water (you can buy them at the nearest pharmacy). During the procedure, carefully observe the cat and make sure that she does not feel bad. Although cats with chronic rhinitis do best in the open air, this may not be acceptable to your cat, so talk to your veterinarian about this before allowing him to lead a normal life.

Walking a sick cat.

If your cat has chronic rhinitis or bronchial disease, walking outdoors will help her cope with the symptoms of the disease. If you don't want or can't freely let her out, then fence off your garden or build a spacious cat cage there. Here's what's important to keep in mind:

1. garden fence:

- an adult cat can fit into a hole only 10 cm wide, so carefully inspect the entire fence;

- any barrier must be at least 3 meters in height. On top of the fence, you should make a narrow "roof" of wire, bent inward;

- tree branches hanging from the fence can become a bridge or stairs for the cat, leading to the street, so be sure to cut them down;

It's even easier to escape through the gate. It is better to make double gates so that you can close one before opening the second;

2. cage (which should contain):

- closed "house", where you can hide from the weather;

- a closed toilet in which you put a pallet;

- shelves or perches; all sorts of entertainment, such as branches on which you can climb and a lot of toys.

Prevention.

You need to make sure your cat is vaccinated against the major viruses that cause upper respiratory infections and cat flu. Properly treating cat flu will reduce the chance that your cat will get chronic rhinitis.

The upper respiratory tract is often prone to disease. An acute infection can cause serious illness, while sinusitis often becomes chronic and causes a significant weakening of the body. The cause of the disease can be an infection (both bacterial and viral, especially the cat flu virus), the presence of a foreign body (such as the awn of a blade of grass), or tumors.

Symptoms.

The cat sneezes, shakes its head, constantly secretes mucus from one or both nostrils. A cat may stop eating if the nostrils or sinuses are clogged with mucus.

Treatment by methods of alternative medicine.

- aromatherapy. Eucalyptus, hyssop, myrrh, pine, tea bush, turpentine and thyme can be sprayed or rubbed in by massage;

- homeopathy. The following remedies should be used (in doses for chronic conditions): Kali bich. - with the release of yellow, dense, fibrous mucus; Pulstilla, with copious discharge of thin catarrhal mucus; silicon for chronic sinusitis that blocks the airways;

- herbal medicine. Infusions of canadian goldenseal, garlic or licorice will have a beneficial effect;

- subordinate therapies and biochemical salts. The following salts may be given: Ferr. phos. (dose for acute forms) - with severe sinusitis; Kali mur. (dose for chronic pho

Heart failure is the inability of the heart to pump the amount of blood the body needs. This disease occurs as a result of infectious diseases. Heart failure is the most common cause of sudden death in pets. Not only dogs, but also cats suffer from it.

Types of heart failure:

Chronic heart failure. It develops slowly, sometimes imperceptibly, but at the same time, steadily.
Acute heart failure develops quite rapidly, its time varies from several minutes to several hours.

As a result of the acute form, the cat immediately develops pulmonary edema, the symptoms of which may be bleeding from the mouth and nose, as well as shortness of breath.

Symptoms of heart disease in cats are not always visible, and she cannot complain about her well-being. Therefore, the health of the pet is completely in the hands of the owner. He must monitor the pet and, upon discovering the first symptoms of the disease, must seek the advice of a veterinarian.

In a cat, rapid breathing with tongue hanging out is a sign of heart disease.

Fatigue is difficult to notice in a cat, as it leads a mostly calm lifestyle.
Dyspnea. Breathing takes place in the abdomen, without the participation of the chest.
An attack accompanied by loss of consciousness. The cat, at this time, can be mistaken for a dead animal. Usually the attack passes quickly, but it happens that the pets die, as their body experiences an acute lack of oxygen.
The animal wheezes, scary meows.
Heavy breathing indicates pulmonary edema.
Complete or partial paralysis of the hind legs.
Cardiopalmus.
Gingival cyanosis.
Loss of appetite.

In cats, coughing is not a heart symptom.

First aid for a cat with fainting

The attack that has begun needs quick and correct actions of the owner, since, sometimes, it can be fatal.

Put the cat, and it is necessary to give it a lateral position of the head.
Pull out tongue.
Put a cool compress on your head.
Bring a piece of cotton wool soaked in ammonia to the nose.
The paws must be fixed above the head, so there will be more blood flow to the head.
Call the vet.

How to distinguish a healthy cat from a sick one

Since cats generally lead a calm lifestyle, they are couch potatoes, not all owners can distinguish a healthy animal from a sick one. She can report all changes in her state of health by a change in behavior, that is, if the cat used to stay independent of the owner, and now does not leave him, then this indicates that something is bothering her.

Some people think that purring in cats is a sign of health. This is not true. Purring, abruptly replaced by aggression or growling, indicates that she is in pain.

A healthy animal has:

Smooth wool.
The nose is wet and cold.
The mucous membranes of the eyes are pinkish.
The animal is alert and active.

sick animal:

Sluggish, lies more than usual.
He tries to get away from everyone in a secluded place.
Can be very aroused.
Meowing is pathetic.
The movements are clumsy.
The nose is warm with cracks.

Causes of heart failure

Congenital cardiac pathologies. In cats, they are quite rare, about 2% of all cases.
Diseases of the heart muscle caused by infectious diseases.
Cardiomyopathy, which is caused by an inadequate diet of cats. They tend to get less taurine, which is part of raw fish and meat. During cooking, it collapses.
Heartworms, their larvae are found in mosquitoes. They are microscopic in size. During a mosquito bite, their larvae enter the animal's bloodstream and settle in the pulmonary artery. Heartworms can be up to 30 centimeters in size. By their presence in the circulatory system, they interfere with the outflow of blood and cause tremendous damage to the arteries. Adult individuals entangle the heart, thereby interfering with its full-fledged work. You can detect heartworms with a blood test.
Age-related hormonal changes. Heart failure is thought to occur in cats older than 6 years of age.
Metabolic disease. Sometimes it leads to improperly constructed food.

Cats should be periodically examined for the presence of heartworms, this will help to avoid heart disease. A lack of taurine, noticed in a timely manner, must be introduced into the feed of cats, due to which the vital activity of the heart muscle is restored.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis should be carried out by a qualified veterinary cardiologist in order to prescribe the correct treatment. It usually includes:

Blood analysis.
Analysis of urine.
Chest X-ray.

If a cat has been diagnosed with heart failure, then it should be excluded from planning for breeding offspring, since the hereditary factor plays an important role.

Treatment and care

Treatment of cats from this disease depends on the severity of the course of the disease. Sometimes it is carried out exclusively in the conditions of a daily stay in a veterinary clinic. Cats do not undergo heart surgery. They, during the illness, are prescribed only medication. The sooner they are diagnosed with heart failure, the more likely they are to survive. For recovery it is necessary:

Complete peace of mind. The pet must be limited from any stress - it can be a working vacuum cleaner, a trip on public transport or the arrival of guests.
Treatment with diuretics removes excess fluid from the body. Fluid during illness can accumulate near the lungs, thereby causing swelling. In the chest, causing pleurisy. In the abdominal cavity, causing ascites. Reducing the amount of fluid in the body helps reduce the workload on the heart.
Treatment with ACE inhibitors, which reduce the workload on the heart by increasing blood flow.
Positive inotropes make the heart pump harder, control the heartbeat, slow it down so that it throws more blood into the body.
When the fluid content in the body of cats is greatly increased, the veterinarian will pump out and, thereby, remove it from the body. The cat will feel relieved for a while, but this will not last long, as the liquid will return back. Pumping is carried out by inserting a sterile needle into the desired location.
Balanced diet.

Heart failure in an animal requires careful care:

Cats need a low salt diet. Salt retains water in the body, which leads to poor blood circulation.
Feed with a high content of taurine and protein.
Heart failure means regular veterinary consultations and ongoing treatment.

Prevention

Cats with heart failure need prophylaxis to keep them active. It is necessary to try to "stir up" animals leading a "sofa" lifestyle. Obese cats are at risk for heart disease. It is necessary to monitor the correct nutrition of the pet. An annual check-up by the veterinarian will protect him from heart disease.

Sphynxes, British, Persian, Scottish cats, Maine Coons are also prone to heart disease. This does not mean that all cats of these breeds, sooner or later, have heart problems. Such a statement means that in representatives of these breeds, heart disease manifests itself at an earlier age.

Heart failure in neutered cats is quite common because these animals are very lazy. They lead a sedentary lifestyle and are obese.

It is necessary to pay increased attention to neutered cats, as they are more prone to heart disease.

The diagnosis of heart failure in cats is not a sentence. The main thing is to notice the first symptoms of the disease in time, to conduct regular examinations and treatment. Monitor your pet's diet. With proper care and care, a cat can please its owner with caress and beauty for a long time.

Heart failure in cats develops when the heart is unable to pump enough blood. This disease develops in animals after suffering infectious diseases and can occur in acute and chronic forms.

Chronic heart failure develops slowly and proceeds, as a rule, without pronounced symptoms. The disease in an acute form, on the contrary, develops rapidly and the pet suddenly develops pulmonary edema. Acute heart failure is accompanied by bloody discharge from the mouth and nose and shortness of breath. Treatment in both cases should be prescribed by a veterinarian, and at the slightest suspicion of the development of the disease, the cat should be taken to him for an appointment. If the animal is not provided with timely medical care, it may die.

Reasons for the development of the disease

The causes of heart failure in a cat can be different, among the main ones are the following:

1. Congenital pathologies of the heart. Such ailments in cats are extremely rare (about 2% of patients).
2. Diseases of the heart muscle, the occurrence of which is provoked by infectious diseases.
3. Cardiomyopathy caused by an improperly formulated cat diet. The disease develops if the pet does not receive enough taurine. Taurine is found in raw meat and fish and is destroyed during the cooking process.
4. Larvae of worms contained in mosquitoes. The tiny larvae enter the cat's blood when bitten by a mosquito and are located in the pulmonary artery. In size, they can reach up to 30 cm. The larvae interfere with the outflow of blood and harm the arteries. The grown worms are able to entangle the heart of the animal and interfere with its full functioning. To detect their presence in the body of a pet is possible only with the help of a blood test.
5. Hormonal changes that develop in a pet as they age. Experts say that older pets (from 6 years and older) are most susceptible to the development of heart failure.
6. Violation of metabolic processes in the cat's body. Most often, the cause of such a violation lies in malnutrition.

An annual examination by a veterinarian and a well-designed pet diet will help prevent the occurrence of serious ailments and prevent the development of heart failure in a cat.

Symptoms

Most often, heart failure occurs without pronounced symptoms, it is quite difficult to diagnose it at home, especially in kittens.

With careful observation of a pet, you can notice the following characteristic signs of this disease:

increased fatigue;
wheezing;
heavy breathing (indicates pulmonary edema);
partial or complete paralysis of the hind limbs;
tachycardia;
strong thirst;
fast weight gain;
cyanosis of the gums;
refusal of food.

In older cats, in addition to the above symptoms, a staggering gait, incessant coughing and incoordination are added. The elbows of a sick pet are placed sideways, the stomach increases in size and attacks occur, which are accompanied by loss of consciousness. As a rule, the animal quickly recovers, but during the attack it experiences a severe lack of oxygen, which sometimes leads to the death of the cat.

Chronic heart failure manifests itself gradually, and the characteristic signs increase over time. Even attentive owners will not be able to diagnose the disease in this form, since at first the area under the chest and limbs swells only slightly in the cat.

If one or more symptoms characteristic of heart failure are detected, it is urgent to take the cat to the veterinarian.

First aid and treatment

If a sick pet has an attack, it is urgent to provide him with first aid at home. The action algorithm is as follows:

put the cat's head on one side;
pull out the tongue;
apply a cold compress to the head;
bring a piece of cotton wool soaked in ammonia to the nose;
fix the paws above the head to improve blood flow;
take your pet to the vet.

The veterinarian prescribes therapy based on the severity of the disease. In some cases, only a one-day stay of the cat in a veterinary clinic is required. Surgery is not performed, and a course of medications is prescribed for the treatment of heart failure in a sick cat. The earlier the diagnosis is made, the higher the likelihood of a favorable outcome after treatment. In order to heal a pet, the following recommendations must be observed:

1. Do not expose your pet to stressful situations (moving, the arrival of strangers, a trip on public transport).
2. Drink diuretic tablets to remove stagnant fluid from the body. Reducing the amount of fluid will help reduce the workload on the heart.
3. Treat with ACE inhibitors. These funds increase the outflow of blood.
4. Treat the cat with drugs with a positive inotropic effect. Taking these drugs is necessary to control the heartbeat and slow down the heart so that it begins to eject more blood.
5. Make a special diet. It is necessary to transfer it to a specialized food intended for cats with heart pathologies. They contain the required amount of protein and taurine, and the salt content is reduced to a minimum.

If the pet's body contains an excess amount of fluid, then the veterinarian pumps it out with a sterile needle. This procedure relieves the cat's condition for a while, but over time, the fluid accumulates again.

If timely assistance is not provided to the pet, then his heart and blood vessels will inevitably be damaged and he will soon die. It is impossible to use drugs to treat the disease without a prescription from a veterinarian, since the cat's condition can only worsen. It is impossible to exceed the dosage recommended by the veterinarian and stop taking the drug without indicating it, since the positive results achieved during treatment can be reduced to zero.