Cardiovascular System Diseases

Overview

Recently, cardiovascular diseases have become more of a focus in veterinary medicine. The development of methods and devices used for diagnosis in this arena makes a great contribution to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system. If cardiovascular system diseases are not noticed and treated, they can lead to heart failure. For this reason, it is extremely important for cat and dog owners to be aware and educated about both the causes and warning signs of cardiovascular disease. While both dogs and cats are affected by the same or similar heart conditions, some are breed specific. In addition, the symptoms associated with cardiovascular diseases in cats and dogs may be different from each other.

There are many different causes of cardiovascular disease in dogs and cats. The following factors can increase the risk of developing heart disease in a pet:

In cats, taurine deficiency may be associated with the development of dilated cardiomyopathy.

Myxomatous valve disease: It is the most common type of heart disease in dogs. It occurs when the heart valves that control blood flow between the chambers of the heart thicken and lose their flexibility. In some dogs, progressive degeneration of the heart valves leads to the accumulation of fluid in the lungs or pulmonary oedema.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM): It is a disease in which the heart muscle becomes thinner, stretched, and weakened, the ability of the heart to pump blood adequately decreases. Pathological leakage of blood from the valves leads to the accumulation of fluid around the lungs and in the abdomen.

Heartworm disease: It is a type of infection that develops especially in dogs by being bitten by a mosquito species that carries the larvae of the heartworm parasite. The larvae migrate to the blood vessels of the animal’s heart and lungs, leading to right-sided congestive heart failure.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM): It is a condition in which cats’ heart walls thicken and its pumping ability is reduced. HCM can lead to the development of congestive heart failure or the formation of blood clots.

Symptoms of heart disease

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM): It is a condition in which cats’ heart walls thicken and its pumping ability is reduced. HCM can lead to the development of congestive heart failure or the formation of blood clots.

Symptoms of cardiovascular disease in dogs include exercise intolerance, weakness (cardiac cachexia), difficulty in breathing and coughing, increased respiratory rate, swelling of the abdomen, fainting (syncope), bluish tint to the gums or skin, and loss of appetite. The most important symptoms of cardiovascular disease in cats are difficulty in breathing, reluctance to lie down, weight loss, loss of appetite, bluish tint in the gums or skin, sudden paralysis of the hind legs due to a blood clot.

Diagnosis

The first step in diagnosing heart diseases is to accurately identify the problem by reviewing the disease history. During the physical exam, abnormal heart rate, abnormal breathing rate, or abnormal sounds in the lungs or heart (such as a heart murmur) should be detected.

Radiography: a chest X-ray should be taken to detect whether the pet’s heart is enlarged or if fluid has accumulated in or around the lungs.

Electrocardiogram (ECG): Should be used to detect arrhythmias (heart rhythm or heart rate disturbances).

Echocardiography: is the ultrasonographic method used to evaluate the physical structure, function, movement of the heart and blood flow through the main blood vessels.

Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP): a blood test may be ordered to detect increased levels of BNP, a small hormone produced by the heart. BNP production increases when the heart muscle is overstretched. This test helps veterinary cardiologists distinguish lung disease from heart disease.

Cardiac examination should be done routinely in cats and dogs. Management of heart disease may vary depending on its severity. If the disease is asymptomatic, treatment may not be needed, but the animal will need to be monitored. Various medication and supportive treatment options can be used for animals that develop symptomatic heart failure.

The most effective way to protect your pet as a pet owner is to visit your veterinarian regularly and catch any problems early. The earlier it is diagnosed and intervened, the longer and healthier life your pet will have.

Cardiac examination should be done routinely in cats and dogs. Management of heart disease may vary depending on its severity. If the disease is asymptomatic, treatment may not be needed, but the animal will need to be monitored. Various medication and supportive treatment options can be used for animals that develop symptomatic heart failure.

The most effective way to protect your pet as a pet owner is to visit your veterinarian regularly and catch any problems early. The earlier it is diagnosed and intervened, the longer and healthier life your pet will have.

Arterial thromboembolism (ATE) in cats

Arterial thromboembolism (ATE) in cats is an acute or peracute condition resulting from embolization of a thrombus within a peripheral artery. The prevalence of this condition ranges from about 0.3% to 0.6%. The incidence is higher in male cats than in females. It is more likely to occur between ages 8 and 12 in both sexes. It usually appears in domestic shorthaired or longhaired cats. Abyssinian, Burmese and Ragdoll, Maine Coon, Himalayan, Siamese and Persian cats carry more risk.

Clinical manifestations

The onset of clinical manifestations of ATE is typically acute or peracute. Clinical manifestations may vary depending on both the size of the embolism and the location of the thromboembolism. For most affected cats, the affected arteries are appendicular, however, non-appendicular arteries (e.g., mesenteric, renal, and cerebral) can also embolize. Paralysis or limping in the legs (hind or front legs), pain, lack of arterial pulse, bruising on the paw pads , and cold extremities are among the most prominent symptoms. These findings may be accompanied simultaneously by superficial and rapid breathing.

Diagnosis

Echocardiography (left atrial enlargement and clot formation)

Ultrasonography (Doppler)

Laboratory analyses (organ failure and coagulation components)

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