Back to Radioactive Iodine Therapy for Hyperthyroid Cats

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Cats

The heart has four chambers: two chambers at the top, the right and left atria; and two chambers on the bottom, the right and left ventricles. The left ventricle is responsible for receiving oxygenated blood from the lungs and pumping the blood out into the aortic valve, the main artery of the body, which feeds the oxygenated blood to all parts of the body. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) affects the left ventricle and its functional ability to pump blood into the aorta. The normal, healthy left ventricle is already thicker than the right ventricle owing to its greater workload in pumping blood out into the body. In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the muscle of the left ventricle is abnormally enlarged or thickened. A cat may have other diseases of the heart, but they will be independent of HCM.

There is an apparent genetic predisposition for this condition. Some families have had a high number of cases, particularly Maine coon cats, where a mutation that is associated with the disease was identified in one large family. The role of genetics has not been definitively determined in other families or breeds, although some association has been documented in American Shorthairs and Persians.

HCM occurs more often in cats five to seven years of age, although the age range of reported cases ranges from three months to 17 years, with most cases affecting males. Heart murmurs in older cats are generally caused by hyperthyroidism or hypertension rather than HCM.

SYMPTOMS AND TYPES
  •  Loss of appetite (anorexia)
  •  Lethargy
  •  Weak pulse
  •  Difficulty breathing
  •  Short, rough, snapping breathing sounds (crackles)
  •  Abnormal heart sounds (i.e., muffles, galloping rhythm, murmurs)
  •  Inability to tolerate exercise or exertion
  •  Sudden hind-limb paralysis with cold limbs due to clot in the terminal aorta
  •  Bluish discoloration of foot pads and nailbeds (indicates a lack of oxygen flow to the legs)
  •  Collapse
  •  Sudden heart failure
CAUSES

The cause for HCM may remain unknown in many cases. However, genetic mutations and predispositions are known to head to HCM in cats. And though not a direct cause of the condition, hypertension and/or hyperthyroidism can further complicate HCM in cats.

DIAGNOSIS

Your veterinarian will need a thorough history of your cat’s health leading up to the onset of symptoms, including any information you have about your cat’s genetic background.
An electrocardiogram (or EKG) recording can be used to examine the electrical currents in the heart muscles, and may reveal any abnormalities in cardiac electrical conduction (which underlies the heart’s ability to contract/beat), and can also help your veterinarian to determine the origin of the abnormal heart rhythms, if they are present. However, an EKG may not be adequate for a definitive diagnosis. Radiograph and echocardiograph (ultrasound) imaging will be more useful for visually examining the heart for enlargement or thickening of the walls, or for thickening of the mitral valve (which controls the flow of blood between the left ventricle and the left atrium). Other conditions will need to be either ruled out or confirmed before your doctor settles on HCM. There are two conditions, which are especially likely to mimic HCM that your cat will be checked for. Blood pressure will be checked in order to rule out hypertension, and the blood will be tested for high levels of thyroid hormones. Hyperthyroidism will exhibit many of the same symptoms as HCM, such as lethargy, shortness of breath and irregular heart rhythm.

TREATMENT

If there is a diagnosis of HCM, your cat will be hospitalized for appropriate care, especially if it is suffering from congestive heart failure, a common outcome of this disease. Your cat will be placed in a quiet environment to minimize stress, and if it is having trouble breathing it will be given oxygen therapy.

There are several possible medications that can be used to treat HCM:

  •  Diltiazem to slow the heart rate, treat irregular heartbeats, and possibly reduce the enlargement in the left ventricle
  •  Beta blockers to slow the heart rate, correct irregular heartbeats, and control blockage of the blood flow. These are not used if the cat has congestive heart failure.
  •  Ace inhibitors, in cases with congestive heart failure, to improve the flow through the ventricle
  •  Aspirin to decrease risk of blood clots
  •  Warfarin to prevent blood clots
  •  Furosemide (diuretic) to remove excess fluid from the body
  •  Spironolactone (a diuretic used sometimes in conjunction with furosemide) for cats with congestive heart failure
  •  Nitroglycerin ointment, to improve flow by dilating (opening) the ventricle and arteries
LIVING AND MANAGEMENT

The cat should be put on a sodium-restricted diet, especially if there is congestive heart failure, to keep the pressure in the blood stable. Providing a quiet and safe space for your cat, away from other pets and active children is important to its recovery. Environmental stress may activate the nervous system, placing excess stress on the already overstressed left ventricle, and possibly lead to heart failure.

You will need to monitor your cat closely during the recovery period, watching for difficulty breathing, lethargy, weakness, lack of appetite, and painful hind-limb weakness or paralysis. Periodic diagnostic testing (such as repeat echocardiogram) and bloodwork will be necessary (to monitor kidney function and electrolytes).

Source URL: http://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/cardiovascular/c_ct_cardiomyopathy_hypertrophic