6 Warning Signs Of Feline Heart Disease

by Lisa Selvaggio

Published: October 1st, 2015

You love your cat with all of your heart. That’s why you want to make sure her heart is healthy. Keep an eye out for these common signs of feline heart disease.

Feline heart disease is serious, so it is really important to catch it in its earliest stages, if possible. The difficulty with doing that, though, is the fact that cats can mask symptoms really well, usually until a condition is quite advanced. Therefore, having your kitty examined by a vet annually is a good idea. But also being aware of the signs of feline heart disease will help you recognize when there’s a potential problem so that you can bring your cat to the vet promptly for a thorough exam.

Here’s a list of just some of the many symptoms that are associated with feline heart disease.

Difficulty Breathing

If your kitty starts to experience shortness of breath, if her breathing starts to become labored, or if she is breathing more rapidly than normal, be aware that these symptoms could be indicative of feline heart disease.

Breathing problems that could be the result of heart disease may also produce sounds, such as crackles that can be described as rough, short, and snapping. Have your cat examined by a vet as soon as possible if she starts exhibiting these symptoms.

Weakness

As cats age, they tend to be less active, and this is normal. But if you notice that your cat is weaker or a lot less active than normal, it could be a sign of feline heart disease.

For example, if your cat is lethargic, unable to tolerate exertion or exercise, and not as playful as she typically used to be, or if she gets tired quite easily as a result of weakness and not just laziness, have her examined by a vet.

Fainting and Collapse

Collapse is another symptom of heart disease in cats, so if your kitty faints or collapses, it is imperative that you take her to the vet to be examined, as these are serious symptoms.

Abnormal Heart Sounds

A variety of heart sounds, such as murmurs, a muffled sound, or even a galloping rhythm, are all considered abnormal. This is one symptom that you will not be able to pinpoint on your own unless you have a stethoscope and you know what to listen for, so having your vet listen to your cat’s heart during an annual exam is the best way to pinpoint this problem before it escalates.

Decreased Appetite

Typically, a cat will enjoy eating and won’t lose his appetite suddenly for no apparent reason. A loss of appetite, which is also referred to as anorexia, can be a symptom of heart disease, though this could be a symptom of many other conditions as well.

To narrow down what could be causing your kitty to avoid a delicious meal, have her checked by a vet, especially if you have noticed other symptoms of heart disease.

Problems with the Hind Legs

Blood clots, which are referred to as thromboembolisms, often result from feline heart disease, and they can also be the first recognizable symptom.

Saddle thrombus occurs when a blood clot becomes lodged in the aorta and causes the blood supply to be cut off from the hind legs. This leads to pain, an inability to walk, paralysis in the hind legs that occurs suddenly, and limbs that feel cold. Another symptom is an absent or weak femoral pulse in one or both of your cat’s hind legs.

The Importance of a Vet Exam

Many of the symptoms of heart disease may also be caused by other conditions. No matter what, they are not normal feline behaviors, so the only way to know what is causing your kitty to be unwell is to have him checked by a veterinarian who can properly diagnose her and provide the right treatments.

Lisa Selvaggio

Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.

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What is a Hydrolyzed Protein Diet for Dogs?

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In a groundbreaking action, the Beagle Freedom Project (BFP), a non-profit organization that rescues animals used in testing, has shut down an animal testing facility in Nowata, Oklahoma, and rescued over 200 dogs and cats from certain death.This monumental action closed down one-third of the flea and tick product testing industry in the U.S., ending years of cruel experimentation on an untold number of animals, and saving thousands of cats and dogs from the same dreadful fate.Most of the animals kept in these facilities are bred specifically for testing, meaning they spend their entire lives in terrible conditions. According to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), animals in laboratories are kept alone in steel cages, with little room to move, and devoid of animal and human companionship.More than 200 cats, dogs, and a family of pigs were kept in horrifying conditions in the 30-acre facility in Nowata, Oklahoma. The poor animals were kept outside in the cold, in nothing but small tents to serve as a shelter. Those kept inside were housed inside tiny cages placed on hard concrete. In the past, the Nowata laboratory has been the subject of many USDA citations and violations. The animals kept there had to endure aggravating pain and discomfort caused by fleas and ticks breeding on their bodies. To make matters worse, the cats and dogs were forced to wear cones so they couldn’t relieve the itching and the pain.“We had to end this,” the president and founder of the Beagle Freedom Project, Shannon Keith, said. “Rather than rescue the dogs and cats one by one, while the facility continued its cruel operations, several months ago, we took a chance and approached the owner of the facility about relinquishing his USDA license and ending operations.”And they were successful! Animal Health Innovations Inc. has ceased operations and surrendered its USDA license. “The importance of this monumental achievement cannot be overstated. Not only have we rescued hundreds of animals from being tested on and certain death, we have also created a pathway for others to do the same,” said Keith to Agusta Free Press.But, that’s not the end. The Beagle Freedom Project plans to transform the former laboratory into a rehabilitation and adoption center called the Freedom Fields - a place where the rescued animals will receive medical attention and the love they deserve.“This has never before been accomplished. We are overjoyed that not only will we give more than 200 dogs and cats their freedom and identity, but that we will also transform an animal testing facility into a place of hope, happiness, rehabilitation, and love,” added Keith.The new space should consist of a doggy park, catio, cat cafe, dog dens, groom room, and lots of open space for dogs and cats to run around and play in. Additionally, there will be a barn for farm animals and a visiting center where the visitors can learn about animal testing before meeting the adoptable animals. Extensive renovations are already underway at Freedom Fields, including replacing small metal cages and makeshift outdoor tents surrounded with electrical fencing with warm and sturdy barns for large farm animals. A landscaped dog park and cozy indoor/outdoor spaces will make rescued cats and dogs feel at home. According to Keith, there are safer and better methods of flea and tick control, and these products don’t have to be tested on animals. Currently, the Beagle Freedom Project is arranging the closure of another large laboratory and is working with companies to provide safer and more ethical methods of flea and tick control for cats and dogs.Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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Why Are Labradors Fat? Scientists Have the Answer

The friendly, playful, and trainable Labrador is one of the most popular dog breeds around the world. But, few canines are as obsessed with food as Labrador retrievers - and now scientists think they have discovered why. According to new research, a quarter of labs are predisposed to obesity due to a genetic mutation.Approximately 25 percent of Labradors face a double-whammy of burning fewer calories and feeling hungry all the time because of an anomaly. Scientists explain that this obesity-causing combination means dog owners must be strict when feeding and exercising their labs to keep them fit.The mutation is found in the gene called POMC, which plays an important role in energy use and hunger, and affects how dogs behave around food. Around 25 percent of Labradors and 66 percent of flat-coated retrievers are affected by POMC mutation, which puts these dogs at risk of obesity and causes increased interest in food.Researchers found that although these dogs don’t need to eat more to feel full, they are hungrier in between meals. The study also showed that dogs with the POMC mutation use around 25 percent less energy when resting than dogs without it. As a result, these pooches don’t need to eat as many calories to maintain a healthy weight. “We found that a mutation in the POMC gene seems to make dogs hungrier. Affected dogs tend to overeat because they get hungry between meals more quickly than dogs without the mutation,” said Dr. Eleanor Raffan, a researcher in the University of Cambridge’s Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience who led the study. “All owners of Labradors and flat-coated retrievers need to watch what they’re feeding these highly food-motivated dogs to keep them a healthy weight. But dogs with this genetic mutation face a double whammy: they not only want to eat more, but also need fewer calories because they’re not burning them off as fast,” she added.The study found that the POMC mutation alters a pathway in dogs’ brains associated with body weight regulation. The mutated genes trigger the starvation signal that sends a message to the body to increase food intake and conserve energy.The study involved 87 adult pet Labradors, all at a healthy weight or moderately obese. The dogs were subjected to several tests, including ‘the sausage in the box’ test. The dogs were first given a can of wet dog food every 20 minutes until they couldn’t eat any more. All labs eat huge amounts of food, but what’s interesting is that dogs with POMC didn’t eat more food than the dogs without it.On a different day, all dogs were given the same breakfast. Three hours later they were offered a sausage in a box made of clear plastic and a perforated lid, so the dogs could see and smell the sausage but not eat it.Scientists discovered that labs with POMC mutation tried harder to get the sausage than the dogs without it, showing greater hunger. In another test, the dogs were allowed to sleep in a special chamber that measured the gases they breathed out. This test showed that labs with POMC mutation burn 25 percent fewer calories than dogs without it. According to researchers, people are often rude to owners of fat dogs, criticizing them for not feeding and exercising their dogs properly. However, this study has shown that labs with POMC are trying to increase their energy intake by looking for food all the time. Keeping these dogs slim is challenging, but possible. Spreading out daily food rations, by using puzzle feeders to slow down feeding or scattering the food around the yard so it takes longer to eat are ways owners can keep their Labradors distracted from constant hunger. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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