Cardiology Clinic
HOW DOES THE HEART WORK?
The heart is composed of specialised muscle which is separated into four chambers. Electrical impulses produce controlled contractions of these chambers resulting in a one way flow of blood around the body through the vast network of arteries, capillaries and veins. The rate at which the heart beats is determined by the needs of the body. If more energy and oxygen are required, the heart beats faster and stronger. A relaxed, snoozing cat may have a heart rate of 120 beats per minute but a sudden outburst of energy can double this rate.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE HEART ISN’T WORKING PROPERLY?
Problems are encountered when the blood returning to the heart can't be pumped out at a level which satisfies the body's demands. This happens if there's a weakness in the heart muscle, if there's an inappropriate change in the rate and the rhythm of the beat, or if there's an abnormality of the shape of the chambers or the valves. In the early stages of heart problems, the body compensates by increasing the beat rate or encouraging the cardiac muscle to thicken and contract more powerfully. This will help to maintain the blood outflow for a while but if the underlying heart disease is progressive, the mechanism will become ineffectual and the heart starts to fail.
WHAT CAUSES HEART PROBLEMS IN CATS?
Feline heart problems are typically classified into two main groups - congenital and acquired diseases. Congenital conditions arise when there has been a failure of development within the womb and a kitten is born with a defect such as a hole in the heart or a deformed valve. In mild cases, this may cause nothing more than a slight murmur in an otherwise normal cat, but severe congenital abnormalities result in a stunted, breathless kitten with a limited life expectancy.
Cardiomyopathies (diseases of the heart muscle) are the most common causes of acquired feline heart disease. The heart muscle can become stretched and flabby and too weak to contract efficiently (dilated cardiomyopathy) or it may become so thickened and bulky that it prevents the chambers filling properly (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). Cardiomyopathies may be secondary to disease elsewhere in the body such as an overactive thyroid or high blood pressure. In some cases we still don't know why a heart muscle disease develops.
WHAT SIGNS DOES A CAT WITH POOR HEART FUNCTION SHOW?
Clinical signs are the consequence of the inability to pump blood efficiently around the body so the cat may be lethargic and has poor, weak pulses and pale mucous membranes. A failing heart creates a logjam effect in the blood vessels which return blood to the heart. The congestion starts to have a detrimental action on other organs in the body. The liver can become enlarged and fluid builds up in the lungs causing an increase in the breathing rate and a possible cough.
Stethoscopic examination enables us to hear if there are any abnormalities of the heart sounds. The cat heart makes a noise similar to the classic "lub-dub" of humans, a phenomenon which is generated by the heart valves opening and closing and by blood flow within the large vessels around the heart. If the valves are leaky, or if there is an abnormal turbulence in blood flow, we can detect the "swooshing" sound of a heart murmur.
MY CAT DOESN’T SHOW ANY SIGNS OF WEAKNESS OR BREATHING PROBLEMS. SHOULD I STILL BE CONCERNED IF THE VET HAS FOUND A MURMUR?
Many heart problems in cats are “silent”. The cat appears to be well and functions normally but can then develop a sudden, significant deterioration. This can include blood clots in the major arteries, cutting off the circulation to the hind legs or the lungs filling up with fluid. We routinely listen to your cat’s chest to see if we can detect a murmur or a change in the rate or the rhythm. Unfortunately it’s impossible to predict the significance of any change just by using the stethoscope so we need to consider further investigation to find out what may be going on and whether treatment needs to be initiated.
WHAT FURTHER TESTS ARE AVAILABLE?
X-rays will show if the heart is enlarged but it doesn't reveal any information about the more important internal structure - many heart muscle problems in the cat don’t cause any change in the heart shadow on x-ray. Ultrasound examination allows us to build up an extremely accurate picture of the internal structure of the heart chambers and valves using soundwaves and provides much more useful information than an x-ray.
The rate and the beat of the heart are controlled by complex electrical signals which are transmitted through a number of pathways, co-ordinating the heart muscle contraction, rate and rhythm. The ECG (electrocardiogram) measures the voltage through the heart muscle and reveals if we have abnormalities of the electrical conduction pathways. We can determine if there are aberrant electrical impulses in the heart or if conduction is being blocked and, by taking readings from different points on the body, we can build up a three dimensional image of the heart.
We’re increasingly finding a number of heart problems are associated with high blood pressure, particularly in the older cat so blood pressure measurement is also extremely useful.
WHERE ARE THESE FURTHER TESTS AVAILABLE?
We can carry out the majority of tests in our clinics but one of the most useful tools for a heart examination is ultrasound. In our opinion this is best performed by a veterinary cardiology specialist with state-of-the-art equipment. Until recently, the only option available to us was to refer our patients to the cardiology experts at University of Edinburgh.
We’re delighted to advise you that we now offer our clients and patients access to ultrasound examination by a qualified, experienced veterinary cardiology expert in our clinics. Craig Devine spent seven years at the University of Edinburgh seeing second opinion cardiac cases while studying for a post graduate Diploma in Veterinary Cardiology. In 2006, Craig set up the Borders Veterinary Cardiology Service which brings referral level cardiology services to local veterinary practices.
Our in-house cardiology service also allows maintenance of the cat exclusive environment to help keep the experience as stress-free as possible for your cat.
WILL MY PET INSURANCE COVER THE COSTS OF THIS SERVICE?
Most pet health insurance policies will cover the costs of investigation but we advise you always contact your insurance company to confirm cover.
The Cat Clinic veterinary surgeons and nursing staff are all closely involved with Craig’s examination of your cat behind the scenes so we’re all working together to care for your cat.
The heart is composed of specialised muscle which is separated into four chambers. Electrical impulses produce controlled contractions of these chambers resulting in a one way flow of blood around the body through the vast network of arteries, capillaries and veins. The rate at which the heart beats is determined by the needs of the body. If more energy and oxygen are required, the heart beats faster and stronger. A relaxed, snoozing cat may have a heart rate of 120 beats per minute but a sudden outburst of energy can double this rate.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE HEART ISN’T WORKING PROPERLY?
Problems are encountered when the blood returning to the heart can't be pumped out at a level which satisfies the body's demands. This happens if there's a weakness in the heart muscle, if there's an inappropriate change in the rate and the rhythm of the beat, or if there's an abnormality of the shape of the chambers or the valves. In the early stages of heart problems, the body compensates by increasing the beat rate or encouraging the cardiac muscle to thicken and contract more powerfully. This will help to maintain the blood outflow for a while but if the underlying heart disease is progressive, the mechanism will become ineffectual and the heart starts to fail.
WHAT CAUSES HEART PROBLEMS IN CATS?
Feline heart problems are typically classified into two main groups - congenital and acquired diseases. Congenital conditions arise when there has been a failure of development within the womb and a kitten is born with a defect such as a hole in the heart or a deformed valve. In mild cases, this may cause nothing more than a slight murmur in an otherwise normal cat, but severe congenital abnormalities result in a stunted, breathless kitten with a limited life expectancy.
Cardiomyopathies (diseases of the heart muscle) are the most common causes of acquired feline heart disease. The heart muscle can become stretched and flabby and too weak to contract efficiently (dilated cardiomyopathy) or it may become so thickened and bulky that it prevents the chambers filling properly (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). Cardiomyopathies may be secondary to disease elsewhere in the body such as an overactive thyroid or high blood pressure. In some cases we still don't know why a heart muscle disease develops.
WHAT SIGNS DOES A CAT WITH POOR HEART FUNCTION SHOW?
Clinical signs are the consequence of the inability to pump blood efficiently around the body so the cat may be lethargic and has poor, weak pulses and pale mucous membranes. A failing heart creates a logjam effect in the blood vessels which return blood to the heart. The congestion starts to have a detrimental action on other organs in the body. The liver can become enlarged and fluid builds up in the lungs causing an increase in the breathing rate and a possible cough.
Stethoscopic examination enables us to hear if there are any abnormalities of the heart sounds. The cat heart makes a noise similar to the classic "lub-dub" of humans, a phenomenon which is generated by the heart valves opening and closing and by blood flow within the large vessels around the heart. If the valves are leaky, or if there is an abnormal turbulence in blood flow, we can detect the "swooshing" sound of a heart murmur.
MY CAT DOESN’T SHOW ANY SIGNS OF WEAKNESS OR BREATHING PROBLEMS. SHOULD I STILL BE CONCERNED IF THE VET HAS FOUND A MURMUR?
Many heart problems in cats are “silent”. The cat appears to be well and functions normally but can then develop a sudden, significant deterioration. This can include blood clots in the major arteries, cutting off the circulation to the hind legs or the lungs filling up with fluid. We routinely listen to your cat’s chest to see if we can detect a murmur or a change in the rate or the rhythm. Unfortunately it’s impossible to predict the significance of any change just by using the stethoscope so we need to consider further investigation to find out what may be going on and whether treatment needs to be initiated.
WHAT FURTHER TESTS ARE AVAILABLE?
X-rays will show if the heart is enlarged but it doesn't reveal any information about the more important internal structure - many heart muscle problems in the cat don’t cause any change in the heart shadow on x-ray. Ultrasound examination allows us to build up an extremely accurate picture of the internal structure of the heart chambers and valves using soundwaves and provides much more useful information than an x-ray.
The rate and the beat of the heart are controlled by complex electrical signals which are transmitted through a number of pathways, co-ordinating the heart muscle contraction, rate and rhythm. The ECG (electrocardiogram) measures the voltage through the heart muscle and reveals if we have abnormalities of the electrical conduction pathways. We can determine if there are aberrant electrical impulses in the heart or if conduction is being blocked and, by taking readings from different points on the body, we can build up a three dimensional image of the heart.
We’re increasingly finding a number of heart problems are associated with high blood pressure, particularly in the older cat so blood pressure measurement is also extremely useful.
WHERE ARE THESE FURTHER TESTS AVAILABLE?
We can carry out the majority of tests in our clinics but one of the most useful tools for a heart examination is ultrasound. In our opinion this is best performed by a veterinary cardiology specialist with state-of-the-art equipment. Until recently, the only option available to us was to refer our patients to the cardiology experts at University of Edinburgh.
We’re delighted to advise you that we now offer our clients and patients access to ultrasound examination by a qualified, experienced veterinary cardiology expert in our clinics. Craig Devine spent seven years at the University of Edinburgh seeing second opinion cardiac cases while studying for a post graduate Diploma in Veterinary Cardiology. In 2006, Craig set up the Borders Veterinary Cardiology Service which brings referral level cardiology services to local veterinary practices.
Our in-house cardiology service also allows maintenance of the cat exclusive environment to help keep the experience as stress-free as possible for your cat.
WILL MY PET INSURANCE COVER THE COSTS OF THIS SERVICE?
Most pet health insurance policies will cover the costs of investigation but we advise you always contact your insurance company to confirm cover.
The Cat Clinic veterinary surgeons and nursing staff are all closely involved with Craig’s examination of your cat behind the scenes so we’re all working together to care for your cat.