tag:,2008:/3 2008-06-23T17:29:37Z Feline Heart Disease Signs, Symptoms, and Preventative Measures... var sc_project=2677817; var sc_invisible=0; var sc_partition=26; var sc_security="2f697198"; Movable Type Publishing Platform 4.0-beta4-20070627 tag:www.felineheartdisease.com,2008://3.284 2008-06-23T17:29:12Z 2008-06-23T17:29:37Z

Feline heart disease is often a silent killer. A cat can seem fine one day, but be dead the next because of the condition. This can be very devastating for the owners, who might feel guilty that they didn't do anything. But in reality, the symptoms of feline heart disease are often very subtle, at least to the untrained eye. This is not to say that there aren't internal symptoms associated with feline heart disease. In fact, one of the...

Feline heart disease is often a silent killer. A cat can seem fine one day, but be dead the next because of the condition. This can be very devastating for the owners, who might feel guilty that they didn't do anything. But in reality, the symptoms of feline heart disease are often very subtle, at least to the untrained eye. This is not to say that there aren't internal symptoms associated with feline heart disease. In fact, one of the most common is a heart murmur, something that only a vet could determine. That's why it's important that cat owners schedule regular check-ups for their pet... even if the animal seems healthy. Remember, if a vet can diagnose feline heart disease in its earlier stages, they have a greater chance of saving the cat's life. So, what specific types of conditions would vets be on the lookout for when trying to diagnose feline heart disease? Usually the conditions will come in the form of a cardiomyopathy, where the heart or its vessels are negatively affected in some way. If a vet determines that the cat is not suffering from a cardiomyopathy, they might look for another type of feline heart disease: heartworms. This is a condition where parasites infect a cat's heart after being transmitted from a mosquito bite. If the condition is not controlled, the worm could block arteries and/or travel to other areas of the body. If a vet determines that a cat has any form of feline heart disease, they begin treatment immediately. Owners will have to give their pets different types of medication. The only exception could be if a cat has a very mild case of heartworms. In this situation, a vet may not recommend any treatment if a cat doesn't appear to be in distress. Of course, they will still keep an eye on the animal to make sure that the heartworms don't progress to a more advanced stage. If it does, the vet will have to prescribe medication to resolve the problem. As far as caretaking, owners may have to restrict their pet to a cage while it is recovering from feline heart disease. This puts less pressure on the heart simply because the cat is not as active. Additionally, owners may have to lessen the amount of salt their pet consumes, since salt has a tendency of increasing blood pressure. In conclusion, pet owners cannot rely on overt physical symptoms when it comes to feline heart disease. Yet, if they make sure their cat has monthly physical exams, a trained vet should be able to determine if the animal is suffering from this condition. If they are, treatment is much easier, since the disease would've been caught in time. So, go on and take your cat to the vet. If money is a problem, you can consider getting pet insurance and/or seeing what alternative payment plans your vet offers. Some vets might be willing to give you a discount if you are regular customer. tag:www.felineheartdisease.com,2008://3.282 2008-06-23T15:08:35Z 2008-06-23T15:09:05Z

It would be nice if feline heart disease produced overt physical symptoms. That way, pet owners would know that something is wrong. But in reality things are different. Cats can appear completely normal yet die hours later because of advanced feline heart disease. The only way pet owners will know for sure is if they get their cat evaluated through regular physical exams. During these exams, a vet may perform further tests if they detect a heart murmur. These tests...

It would be nice if feline heart disease produced overt physical symptoms. That way, pet owners would know that something is wrong. But in reality things are different. Cats can appear completely normal yet die hours later because of advanced feline heart disease. The only way pet owners will know for sure is if they get their cat evaluated through regular physical exams. During these exams, a vet may perform further tests if they detect a heart murmur. These tests include: X-Rays, EKGs and echocardiograms. More information on each of these tests has been provided below. 1. X-Rays X-Rays are very effective at detecting feline heart disease, because they give vets a visual picture of what is going on. How? It's simple. When hearts become diseased, they usually get enlarged because of the extra strain being placed on them. Additionally, fluid tends to accumulate in the chest cavity because the heart is not pumping as efficiently. X-Rays can pick up on both of these symptoms. 2. EKGs EKGs, (also known as electrocardiograms), test for feline heart disease by analyzing the heart's electrical activity. Through an electrocardiogram, doctors can detect whether or not there's changes in the animal's heart rate. This is specifically determined by the way the spikes appear on the readout. If the spikes are not normal, the cat could be suffering from feline heart disease, though not always, (since excitement or anxiety could bring about a similar result). If a vet thinks they are getting a false-positive EKG, they may order another one or try using another type of testing. 3. Echocardiogram Echocardiograms offer a more advanced method when it comes to testing for feline heart disease. They work by using ultrasounds, the same technology that is often used for moderating fetus development. Through the ultrasound, vets get a clear picture of feline heart disease. In fact, the technology is similar to X-Rays in that it can provide a direct visual of what is going on. However, it is different because it can allow for a more in depth visual. For instance, with an echocardiogram, vets can detect fluid changes, blood clots, and heart defects. All of this can be done without putting the animal through any pain. If any of the above-mentioned tests reveal that a cat has feline heart disease, vets will prescribe medication to treat the problem. Most of these medications will be specialized, though sometimes vets may recommend aspirin. Either way, as long as feline heart disease is detected early, most of the medications will be able to do their job. In conclusion, you don't have to lose your cat to feline heart disease. By taking them to the vet regularly, you can get an idea of whether or not they have started developing the symptoms... at least internally. If they are, don't panic. Yes, feline heart disease is serious, but thanks to modern medical technology, it can be controlled when caught in time. So, just follow your vet's instructions, making sure you give them whatever medication they need. And, within time, your cat will return to normal, giving you many years of companionship. tag:www.felineheartdisease.com,2008://3.281 2008-06-23T14:03:43Z 2008-06-23T15:07:22Z

When it comes to feline heart disease, there is one method of prevention: proper nutrition. Like humans, cats need food that will keep them healthy and in shape. Yet, weight is not the only concern when it comes to feline nutrition. That's because there is one ingredient that is essential for preventing feline heart disease. It is an amino acid known as taurine. Taurine helps prevent feline heart disease by strengthening the heart muscle. The only problem is that unlike...

When it comes to feline heart disease, there is one method of prevention: proper nutrition. Like humans, cats need food that will keep them healthy and in shape. Yet, weight is not the only concern when it comes to feline nutrition. That's because there is one ingredient that is essential for preventing feline heart disease. It is an amino acid known as taurine. Taurine helps prevent feline heart disease by strengthening the heart muscle. The only problem is that unlike other animals, cats can not produce taurine by themselves. Instead, they have to get it through their food. This is not a problem for cats in the wild, who get taurine from the meat they consume. However, domesticated cats usually eat processed foods, which may not contain the taurine levels they need. So, how much taurine is necessary for preventing feline heart disease? According to The National Research Council, kittens need 400 mg of taurine while adult cats need around 500 mg. Yet, don't expect to see these figures on cat food any time soon. Why? Well, in the cat food industry taurine is an ingredient that is 'assumed' to already be in the food. This is especially the case for cat food that is high in protein. However, taurine decreases when meat is cooked. That's why canned food may not have as much taurine as dry food. Yet, if dry food doesn't contain as much protein it may also be lacking proper taurine levels. With that being said, how can cat owners ensure they are getting food that contains the right amount of taurine? Well, their best bet is to discuss the issue with their vet, who should be able to recommend several brands. They could also give their cat taurine supplements. Some pet owners are already doing this when making homemade cat food. Just remember that if you do decide to go this route, that 'L-taurine' is the same as 'taurine.' The 'L' is only added if the manufacturer wants to emphasize the chemistry associated with making taurine. In that vein, it should also be noted that synthesized taurine is just as powerful as taurine obtained from natural sources. So, if you see anything indicating that the taurine is synthesized, you don't have to worry as it is still effective. In conclusion, if you want to lessen the odds that your cat develops feline heart disease, you will definitely want to make sure they are consuming enough taurine. Most likely, in today's time they probably are, especially as more brands are becoming aware of taurine's importance. However, since feline heart disease is nothing to play around with, you will want to do a bit of investigation. Your vet should be able to give you good recommendations, but if you want even more information, consider writing to the manufacturer directly. Tell them you heard about how taurine prevents feline heart disease, and you want to know if their food has the right amount. Hopefully, they can respond with concrete studies showing that they do. However, if they don't, just move on to the next brand. tag:www.felineheartdisease.com,2008://3.280 2008-06-23T14:02:34Z 2008-06-23T15:08:16Z

If you do a keyword search for "feline heart disease" you will find that most of the websites that come up talk about cardiomyopathy. Heartworm infestation is rarely mentioned. And when it is, emphasis is usually placed on the symptoms not associated with the circulatory system. Yet, despite what others think, heartworm infestation is a very common type of feline heart disease. And if it's not treated, it will cause complications within the cat's circulatory system. However, there is a...

If you do a keyword search for "feline heart disease" you will find that most of the websites that come up talk about cardiomyopathy. Heartworm infestation is rarely mentioned. And when it is, emphasis is usually placed on the symptoms not associated with the circulatory system. Yet, despite what others think, heartworm infestation is a very common type of feline heart disease. And if it's not treated, it will cause complications within the cat's circulatory system. However, there is a bit of good news. Unlike other types of feline heart disease, heartworm infestation is not caused by genetics or other uncontrollable factors. Instead, it results from parasitic larvae. This makes treatment a lot simpler. If you eliminate the larvae, you prevent further infestation. There is just one problem. If too many heartworms are killed at one time, the cat could still suffer complications, since the parasites end up getting stuck in the cat's arteries. That's why it's important cats get smaller amounts of heartworm medication. Fortunately, Heartgard Chewables for Cats solves this problem by dispensing the right amount of medication for a cat's system. Specifically, this medication is Ivermectin, a lactone derived from Streptomyces avermitilis bacteria. Now, if you have a dog, you might be in wonderment trying to figure out how Heartgard can also help with feline heart disease. Well, it does but since heartworms work differently in cats, they must have a specific formula. Heartgard Chewables for Cats ensures that your feline friends get the most appropriate treatment for their systems. So, what happens if a cat is given Heartgard as they are suffering a misdiagnosed heartworm infestation? Well, depending on the severity of the condition, Heartgard may be able to kill off the worms before they do any serious damage. Of course, you don't want to depend on that, but you should take comfort in the fact that Heartgard won't cause any additional damage in such a situation. In fact, Invermectin is usually the first line of defense when heartworms are present. It is just given in a different form. As far as application, just one Heartgard pill a month should ward off heartworm infestation. You can begin treatment as soon as the cat is 6 weeks. From that point on, you will have to give the cat a Heartgard pill once a month for the rest of their lives. This shouldn't be a difficult task, since the pills are designed to be highly palatable. But if you find that the cat still doesn't like it, you can mix it up in their favorite food. Remember, Heartgard Chewables for Cats is just as effective crushed up. Just make sure that you break up 1 whole pill, since anything less than this won't provide your cat the protection they need. In conclusion, feline heart disease goes much further than cardiomyopathy. This is because heartworm infestation is also a type of feline heart disease, and it can be just as deadly as cardiomyopathy. Yet, with Heartgard Chewables for Cats, neither you nor your feline friend will have to worry about dealing with such a condition. tag:www.felineheartdisease.com,2008://3.283 2008-06-23T13:56:19Z 2008-06-23T17:25:38Z

For whatever reason, cats do not have the same amount of diseases that dogs do. However, that doesn't mean that cats are guaranteed long lives. Why? The answer can be found in feline heart disease, a group of conditions that causes a myriad of heart problems. This article will discuss the most common types of feline heart disease: dilative cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, restrictive cardiomyopathy and heartworms. 1. Dilative Cardiomyopathy Dilative cardiomyopathy is a type of feline heart disease that causes...

For whatever reason, cats do not have the same amount of diseases that dogs do. However, that doesn't mean that cats are guaranteed long lives. Why? The answer can be found in feline heart disease, a group of conditions that causes a myriad of heart problems. This article will discuss the most common types of feline heart disease: dilative cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, restrictive cardiomyopathy and heartworms. 1. Dilative Cardiomyopathy Dilative cardiomyopathy is a type of feline heart disease that causes the heart to become enlarged. Consequently, the heart becomes weaker as it cannot handle its original workload. As a result, fluid begins to accumulate throughout the body, especially in the chest cavity or the lungs. If the condition remains untreated, the valves within the heart may leak, resulting in a murmur or worse... pulmonary failure. 2. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy When it comes to feline heart disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common. What happens is that the walls of the heart become stiff. This causes problems with the heart's blood flow. As a result, the cat develops a murmur due to leakage within the heart's weakened valves. So, in this way hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is very similar to dilative cardiomyopathy. However, when it comes to treatment, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is much easier to cure. This is especially the case if the condition is caught in its earlier stages. 3. Restrictive Cardiomyopathy When it comes to feline heart disease, restrictive cardiomyopathy is not as common. However, it does happen. And when it occurs, it will cause the walls of the heart to become stiffer. This is also common with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy except with one major difference. With restrictive cardiomyopathy, vets believe the stiffness is a result of scar tissue. They are not quite sure what causes hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, though there does appear to be a genetic link in some cases. 4. Heartworms Heartworm infestation is a very unusual feline heart disease. Its cause is traced to parasites whose larvae live in the saliva of infected mosquitoes. This larvae gets into the cats skin through a bite. Subsequently, the larvae develop into adult heartworms who wreak havoc on the cat's organs. This is because the heartworms create a physical barrier for proper blood flow. They also release particles which produce gaps within the cats circulatory system. As a result the particles and the heartworm can travel to other parts of the body. This is why sometimes infected cats may have symptoms that do not even relate to the heart's functioning. In fact, some cats have even gone blind due to heartworm infestation. In conclusion, even though cats do not suffer from as many conditions as their canine counterparts, pet owners still need to be aware of feline heart disease. They should also know that despite the seriousness of feline heart disease, usually there are no symptoms early on. That's why it's important that a cat gets regular physical exams. This is the only way to know for sure that the animal is not suffering from feline heart disease.