Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is one of the most common heart diseases experienced by cats. This disease causes the heart’s walls to thicken and enlarge. This will limit the amount of blood that is pumped out of the heart.
Causes
This condition has various causes. They include an improper diet, toxins, and certain infections. Medical conditions such as hyperthyroidism and hypertension are also known causes. Other cats develop this disease due to genetics. Some cases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy have no known cause.
Symptoms
Your cat may not display any symptoms in the early stages of the disease. However, you will start to notice signs as the disease progresses over time. Common symptoms include poor appetite, lethargy, gagging, and difficulty breathing. One of the most severe symptoms is paralysis. This can be a problem a blood clot forms as the result of the disease. Some cats have been known to die suddenly from feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Diagnosis
An echocardiogram is the most definitive method for diagnosing feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This test will show how well the heart is pumping out blood. It will also show how thick the heart muscle has become. X-rays normally don’t show how thick the heart muscle is. However, they will detect fluid present in the chest cavity and lungs. An electrocardiogram monitors the heart’s electrical activity and is useful for detecting abnormalities.
Treatment
Some cases of feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can successfully be treated while others can’t. Diuretics can be prescribed to remove excess fluids from the body. Other medications can be given to slow the growth of the heart muscle and to thin the blood.
As mentioned earlier, this disease can lead to the formation of a blood clot in the heart. Low-dose aspirin will help reduce this risk. Anti-arrhythmic medications are sometimes prescribed to control heart rate or rhythm irregularities. You may also be advised to place your cat on a low-salt diet.