What is Enlarged Heart?
Your veterinarian may use the term dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) to describe the condition of enlarged heart, specifically the loss or weakening of cardiac muscle, leading to decreased function and possibly to congestive heart failure.
An enlarged heart is a condition in cats in which the muscle of the heart increases in size due to many different possible causes. This increase causes the heart to work harder to pump the same amount of blood, resulting in decreased efficiency and possibly heart failure. Though it used to be more common, a link between taurine deficiency and enlarged heart has been established, leading cat food companies to include taurine in their food, and a subsequent significant drop-off of enlarged hearts in cats. It's worth noting that outdoor cats or those fed diets not based on commercial cat food may still be at risk for taurine deficiency.
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Symptoms of Enlarged Heart in Cats
Cats with enlarged hearts will often have a broad range of symptoms, and depending on the age of the cat, these could be mistaken for simply a sign of being elderly. Only veterinary examination can pinpoint dilated cardiomyopathy for certain. The primary symptoms include:
- Listlessness (depression)
- Lack of appetite
- Weakness/sluggishness
- Partial paralysis as blood clots become more common
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Difficulty breathing, possibly with a cough
Causes of Enlarged Heart in Cats
It is widely believed now that taurine deficiency was the primary cause of enlarged hearts in cats, but with the addition of taurine to cat food, this has been largely resolved. Modern cases have no single cause that can be pinpointed, but instead there are several possible known culprits, including:
- Parasites
- Viruses
- Genetic predisposition to enlarged heart
Assuming taurine deficiency is not the cause of your cat's enlarged heart, a more in-depth examination will be needed.
Diagnosis of Enlarged Heart in Cats
Your veterinarian will need to examine your cat, particularly the sounds of the heart and the ability of your cat to breathe on their own.
If your cat suddenly stops eating, shows signs of general disinterest or extreme fatigue, has difficulty breathing, or behaves in a way that indicates partial paralysis or pain in one specific region, it is a good idea to have them examined as soon as possible.
On examination, a veterinarian will be listening for a galloping heartbeat, a heart murmur, weak pulse and other abnormal heart rhythms. In addition, the cat's breathing will potentially be labored as fluid builds up around the heart and lungs, a condition called effusion. Further examination through blood drawing can indicate heart damage by evaluating levels of creatinine, a chemical marker of muscle breakdown, an increase of which can suggest cardiac damage. Ultimately, an echocardiogram is the best test for diagnosing enlarged heart, and will be the next procedure if the initial examination suggests cardiac enlargement.
Your vet may ask you about your cat's eating habits lately compared to normal. In addition, they will likely ask about onset of a cough, decreased energy and playfulness, if they have lost interest in toys or novelties that used to get their attention. Being clear about your cat's normal behavior versus what they have experienced since you've noticed the change can be essential in helping your veterinarian determine what they need to evaluate.
Treatment of Enlarged Heart in Cats
Treatment for cats with enlarged hearts involves reducing swelling of the heart as well as reducing the amount of fluid accumulating in the chest. This will improve breathing and allow the doctor more time to establish a cause. If it is determined that taurine deficiency is the underlying cause of the DCM, taurine will be administered, but even in these cases, the prognosis is not good. Once cats begin to exhibit symptoms of enlarged heart, it can be too late to treat effectively. Unless your cat is not eating prepared cat food, lack of taurine is not the primary cause, so identifying the culprit takes precious time. For the most part, treatment is focused on improving heart function while a cause can be established.
Diuretics
Diuretics work by helping your cat expel excess fluids that their body might be retaining. Diuretics are usually administered orally, but depending on the condition of your pet, may be given intravenously. There is little risk here but they do not offer a permanent solution.
Antiarrhythmic Drugs
AADs work by inhibiting the impulses that cause irregular heartbeats. They are not useful if the enlarged heart has progressed to congestive heart failure, though.
Administered Oxygen
This is another stopgap, designed to give your cat's doctor more time to find an underlying cause.
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Recovery of Enlarged Heart in Cats
If caught quickly enough, the prognosis can be about 50% for survival in cats with enlarged hearts, assuming taurine deficiency is the cause. For examples without a readily apparent trigger, expected recovery rates are very low. Even for those with taurine problems, the chance at survival is not high. Long-term management of the condition depends on the initial trigger, but once a cat has survived and the condition causing the enlarged heart is identified, it can be addressed accordingly.
Enlarged Heart Average Cost
From 570 quotes ranging from $1,000 - $5,000
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Enlarged Heart Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Sphynx
Latifah
12 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Was Dry Heaving
My cat is almost thirteen years old and was recently seen at the vet because she was dry heaving multiple times per hour. The vet did an x-ray which showed an enlarged heart with no murmur. He did not state this was the cause for the dry heaving, and after two visits could not find the cause. Thankfully, after a week, she has stopped dry heaving. My question is: should I be concerned about her enlarged heart as he didn't seem to make a big deal about this? She is not having any other symptoms as of now. What steps should I take? Thank you.
March 22, 2018
0 Recommendations
If Latifah isn’t showing any symptoms and the enlargement is mild no treatment may be required, you should speak with your Veterinarian about the enlargement of the heart and their opinion on this; generally it should be monitored and an x-ray or ultrasound should be done every few months to determine whether there are any changes. A consultation with a Cardiologist may be useful in cases like this. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
March 22, 2018
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Grey short hair
Myla
12 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Rapid Breathing, Wheezing
My cat was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and an enlarged heart. She just started tapizole for the thyroid. My question is can the heart go back to normal after she's treated for the hyperthyroidism?
March 17, 2018
0 Recommendations
Once the heart is enlarged, it will typically remain enlarged; it is important though to manage the underlying cause (hyperthyroidism) and to manage the enlarged heart if symptoms are presenting. The severity of the heart enlargement and any symptoms will determine whether your Veterinarian decides to manage the heart now or just manage it. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
March 17, 2018
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American Wirehair
Mike
3 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Breaths Faster At Rest
My sweet boy is in heart failure. This was detected Jan 2 but he could have entered anytime since his last cardiology visit in October.
In Jan 2 it was discovered that he had fluid in his lungs. He has since been put on lasik and a medication meant to prevent damage to his kidneys from all of the heart medication that he is on
Before entering heart failure, we had found out that mike had an extremely enlarged right ventricle in April 2017. He was put on atenelol and benazeprel. He has been on them since and is still on them. (4 medications total currently)
Last week, he had a renal panel done. Blood pressure was high but doc not overly concerned considering his nerves in a hospital situation. His kidney values were also normal and despite losing a little over a pound from October-Jan 6, he had gained one pound since his last cardiologist visit on Jan 6.
Is it possible that the weight gain is because of more fluid?
What is the best way for this to be checked? Which dr and what type of testing? (I have spent well over 7,000 at this point and am a bit tapped. I would like to limit vet visits and get it right the first time)
Can mike go in and out of heart failure?
What symptoms are most important To be looking out for at this point?
Thank you very much for taking the time to read and consider all of this
Feb. 8, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
I'm sorry that that is happening to Mike. He can't really go 'in and out' of heart failure, but you may be able to control the fluid buildup in his lungs with lasix, and keep him comfortable while he is on the other heart medications. The fluid may come and go, depending on his heart function, and the Lasix dosage may need to vary - it will be important to keep in communication with yout veterinarian to determine what his dosage needs to be. The most obvious symptoms include coughing, difficulty in breathing, and lethargy. I hope that he continues to do well.
Feb. 8, 2018
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DOMESTIC
Toby
2 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Wheezing
My cat was diagnosed with an enlarged heart as a kitten. He is almost 2 1/2 years old and has had no symptoms until the last few weeks we noticed he seems to have breathing issues. Everything else seems normal, eating etc. But this breathing almost like a wheezing is troubling. He has regular vet care but not for his heart. I'm sure I should get him seen but worry about the cost. Should I get him to the vet ASAP or look for symptoms?
Feb. 3, 2018
0 Recommendations
If Toby has been diagnosed with an enlarged heart and has developed breathing issues you should visit your Veterinarian to determine if the two are related or not; without examining Toby I cannot say whether or not he’ll be alright but any issue with his heart may require medical management which in turn may help with his breathing. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Feb. 4, 2018
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American long hair
Sam
14 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lethargy
Weakness
Lack Of Appetite
Sam has been lethargic with a low appetite since mid-December when he was diagnosed with Stage II CDK. Today an x-ray determined the right side of his heart is enlarged. Could this be due to his CDK? I am currently giving subq(100 ml/day)mirtzapine, and an clindamycin (we had hoped to due dental work until we learned about the heart). Can his heart be treated along with treating the CKD?
Jan. 31, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. I'm not sure if by CDK you mean that he has kidney disease? If that is true, there are medications that can be given for his enlarged heart in addition to his kidney disease - your veterinarian can advise you as to medications that will be appropriate, as the medications will depend on blood pressure and whether he has valve disease. I hope that he does well.
Feb. 1, 2018
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Shorthair
Spunky
17 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lethargy
Coughing
Heart Murmur
Wheezing
Enlarged Heart
The first vet we went to didn’t do much except prescribe 1/4 tablet of Pepcid every morning in his food. An X-ray showed that he had an enlarged heart but no fluid in lungs. Blood test was normal. Also he has heart murmur. The vet had recommended that I go up a cardiologist which would cost me over $700. Because she had given me no other option other than the Pepcid which did not stop the coughing, and I did not want to spend that kind of money on a cardiologist, I had to switch vets so that I could get relief for my cat who was constantly wheezing and just looked miserable. The new vet prescribed Pepcid but had me give it to him 1 hour before eating as opposed to with the food. He also prescribed lasix and Analaprin. Now Spunky doesn’t cough as much and seems a bit more comfortable. He’s been throwing up large amounts of bile though in the middle of the night. Not sure what that’s about.
Enlarged Heart Average Cost
From 570 quotes ranging from $1,000 - $5,000
Average Cost
$2,000
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