Symptoms of Heart Disease in Cats

1 Symptoms of Heart Disease in Cats

Cats get heart disease fairly often. A US study found that even cats looking perfectly healthy had a 16% hidden-heart-disease rate — meaning many cases go unnoticed, which is chilling. But are there truly no signs? There are, just hard to link to the heart. Examples:

1) Mouth-open breathing. This is a clear sign — the cat pants with its tongue out like a dog. Often owners think it is just hot and find it cute, but even in heat a normal cat does not pant like that. The action likely means very hard breathing that needs the mouth. Heart failure causes breathing trouble and mouth-open breathing; if you see it without clear exercise, take the cat to the vet.

2) Strong belly or chest movement. Besides failing to breathe calmly, a close look may show clear or shallow, rapid belly/chest motion — the cat panting while holding back from opening its mouth. This already shows breathing trouble; check it at once.

3) Sudden arterial clot. Heart-disease cats may suddenly paralyze a hind leg — a feared complication called arterial thromboembolism. As the heart enlarges, blood flows poorly and abnormal clots form; when a clot reaches the thigh and blocks the main vessel, the leg loses feeling at once, like a stroke. At this stage cure chances drop and the cat is in great pain, so rush it to the hospital for the golden window.

4) Sudden collapse. A few arrhythmic cats faint suddenly — a warning of heart disease that needs prompt checks. Of course, a sick cat also loses energy and appetite, so if it stops eating, drinking, or seems listless, see the vet soon.

The common signs above ask owners for extra care in raising cats, so you can spot trouble early and act in time.