What it is
The heart pumps blood around the whole body, and when it works less well, fluid can gather in or around the lungs and breathing becomes hard work. The disease can affect the heart muscle, which may thicken or slacken, the heart valves, or the electrical signals that keep the beat steady.
Some heart defects are present from birth and show up in kittens, others develop in adult life, and some can run in families. Sometimes a vet is the first to hear something unusual, listening to the heart at a routine check-up.
Cats are masters at hiding weakness, so at home the best clue is breathing: the chest of a cat sleeping calmly rises slowly and evenly. If you notice it breathing fast, with its belly or with an open mouth, do not wait.
Signs you may notice
- Fast or laboured breathing
- Breathes with an open mouth
- Tires quickly
- Eats less and hides
- Sudden weakness in the back legs
- Fainting
A cat tires sooner, breathes faster or harder even at rest, eats less and hides more. Sometimes its back legs suddenly turn weak or it faints.
When to see a vet
If your cat breathes with difficulty, with an open mouth or very fast, faints, or its back legs suddenly weaken, a vet is needed immediately. For slower changes, such as tiring quickly or a poorer appetite, book a check-up.
This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own cat's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.