arge and abnormal heart rhythms occur. Signs of this disease are labored breathing, rapid heart rate, heart murmurs, weakness, collapse and death. Rare heart valvular disease, hyperthyroidism and asthma can mimic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Veterinarians diagnose this disease with x-rays, electrocardiograms (EKG = ECG) and cardiac ultrasound. It is possible that cat’s with liver issues might require more taurine to compensate for their liver’s reduced abilities to process taurine. (read here)
Veterinarians treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats with lower salt diets, diuretics, blood thinners, and medications such as diltiazem and atenolol to stabilize your cat’s blood pressure and heart rate. Do not give aspirin to your cat without veterinary supervision – cats do not handle aspirin well. NEVER give them Tylenol. Their might be a breakthrough in treating this problem. Read about that here.
Feline Dilated Cardiomyopathy
A second, genetic form of cardiomyopathy occurs in Siamese, Burmese and Abyssinian cats. Veterinarians treat this condition with the same medications that increase heart efficiency and decrease pooled fluid within the lungs. We also give them drugs to reestablish their normal heart rhythm. Many veterinarians suggest a taurine supplement for any heart condition in cats. Taurine might be beneficial and there is certainly no harm in giving it in reasonable amounts. A similar heart disease can also occur secondary to an over-active thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). Cats with this and the previous problem generally do not live very long despite therapy.
Restrictive Cardiomyopathy Of Cats:
In this condition localized scarring of the cat’s heart muscle prevents normal heart beat. This eventually leads to an enlarged, weak heart and congestive heart failure with signs in some ways similar to what veterinarians see in dogs. Signs of the disease are poor appetite, weight loss and difficult respiration . Sometimes blood clots that cause paralysis of the limbs occur as well. X-rays, EKG and ultrasound all show atrial enlargement. Veterinarians treat these cats with calcium channel blockers such as diltiziam, diuretics such as furosemide and perhaps low doses of aspirin or another more modern medication that prevents blood clots. Aspirin must be used with extreme caution in cats – if at all . Do so only under the supervision of your veterinarian. Lower sodium diets might also help – if your cat will eat them. If cat owners are fortunate, a cat with this disease might live an additional year.
Corticosteroid-related Congestive Heart Failure in Cats
The University of Minnesota Veterinary Center noticed an occasional link between heart failure in cats and a recently given dose of a number of corticosteroid medications. Particularly when the product was the injectable form of methyl prednisolone acetate = Depomedrol® aka “Depo”). Of the 160 cats with heart failure that passed through their clinic in a ten year period, at least 8% that developed congestive heart failure had received that or similar medications within the 1-3 weeks preceding their heart problem symptoms. This unique form of heart disease often resolved itself with time. (read here) Corticosteroids are often given to cats with respiratory problems that are believed to be due to asthma. In other cases , they are given for allergic skin conditions or as appetite stimulants.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy Of Dogs:
Read more about this heart problem here. In this condition, as in cats, the heart chambers enlarge to the point where they can no longer pump blood efficiently. It is most common in large breeds of dogs and rare in small breeds. Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes, German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers are particularly at risk. The disease is most common in middle-aged dogs, especially males. Usually the cause is unknown, however taurine deficiencies, parvovirus infection and the use of adriamycin® (doxorubicin) have all been suspected causes.
The overly-stretched heart muscle that occurs in this disease is a very inefficient pump. Signs of the disease are t