Heart Disease

What is Heart Disease?

Feline heart disease includes hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM, most common - thickened heart muscle), dilated cardiomyopathy, and others. Many cats show no symptoms until advanced. Signs include rapid/difficult breathing, open-mouth breathing, lethargy, decreased appetite, hiding, and sudden hind leg paralysis (from blood clot). Diagnosis requires chest X-rays, echocardiogram, and sometimes NT-proBNP blood test. Treatment includes medications (ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, diuretics, blood thinners) and management of underlying hyperthyroidism or high blood pressure. Some cats live years with treatment.