What is Heart Attack?
Coronary artery disease and blockage are atypical in cats due to the way that a cat's body processes consumed fats. Because of this, heart attacks in cats are extremely rare. When a heart attack does occur, however, it can be fatal.
The myocardium is the muscular tissue that makes up the heart muscle. When a heart attack, or myocardial infarction, occurs the myocardium is cut off from receiving vital oxygen and nutrients from the coronary arteries. This typically happens due to a blood clot. Without this oxygen, parts of the heart die prematurely, which causes the heart to become weak and lose its regular function.
Heart Attack Average Cost
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Average Cost
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Symptoms of Heart Attack in Cats
Symptoms of a heart attack typically appear suddenly. These symptoms include:
- Extreme weakness
- Lethargy
- Fainting or collapse
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Increased or slowed heart rate
- Heart palpitations or skipped beats
- Low-grade fever
- Inability to walk (lameness)
- Seizures
- Hyperactivity
- Sudden death
Causes of Heart Attack in Cats
A heart attack occurs when the blood flow is cut off from the myocardium. This will either occur due to a blood clot (thromboembolism) or heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy).
Diagnosis of Heart Attack in Cats
The veterinarian will need the cat's complete health history, which will include any history of heart disease, a detailed list of symptoms and an approximate date and time when the symptoms first began. The veterinarian will then physically examine the cat, listening to its heart and breathing with a stethoscope, taking its pulse and blood pressure and looking for gait abnormalities that could signal a blood clot. The veterinarian will pay close attention for any signs of heart murmurs or muffled heart sounds that are indicative of fluid in the pericardium, which is the sac that surrounds the heart muscle.
A biochemical profile, complete blood count, and a urinalysis will be done. These labs can help the veterinarian identify systemic conditions that could have caused the heart attack or help the veterinarian rule out other conditions that have similar cardiac symptoms, such as hyperthyroidism. These lab tests may show a high white blood cell count as a result of an infection or high liver enzymes that are indicative of a liver problem.
An electrocardiogram (EKG) and an echocardiogram (ECG) will be performed on the cat. An EKG looks at the heart's electrical activity and can help identify blockages and abnormal heart rhythms. An ECG is an ultrasound of the heart muscle. The ECG will look for abnormalities of the heart valves, the pericardium, and any heart muscle diseases. The veterinarian may also take a chest X-ray of the cat in order to view any abnormalities in the lung cavity.
If the hospital tests are inconclusive as to the condition that caused the heart attack to occur, the veterinarian may want the cat's heart rate monitored for a longer period of time. In this case, the cat may be fitted for a Holter monitor, which will record all heart activity for a 24 hour period, or an event monitor, which will record the heart activity during events such as collapsing.
Treatment of Heart Attack in Cats
Medication
The cat might be given medication in the hospital to try and dissolve a blood clot and restore blood flow to the heart. The veterinarian may prescribe medications in order to treat the cat's underlying condition that caused the heart attack to occur. Antiarrhythmic drugs, such as beta-blockers or digitalis, can help slow the cat's heart rate down to an appropriate level.
Oxygen Therapy
Cat's who have had a heart attack will need to receive oxygen therapy in the hospital in order to ensure that enough oxygen is being delivered to the body. The oxygen will be given to the cat via a nasal cannula or a face mask. Oxygen therapy will continue until the heart is able to function properly and deliver oxygen to the body in its own.
Pacemaker Implantation
Cats who have a slow heart rate as a result of the lost tissue during the heart attack may need to have a pacemaker installed. The pacemaker will be placed into the cat's abdomen during surgery. The lead will then be surgically attached to the outside of the heart via a small incision in the diaphragm. The pacemaker works by sending a small electrical signal to the heart, which will keep it beating at a normal pace.
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Recovery of Heart Attack in Cats
The cat's prognosis will depend on the severity and length of the heart attack as well as the successful treatment of the underlying condition that caused the heart attack to occur. The cat will need to regularly follow up with the veterinarian to monitor the heart rate through EKG tests. If the veterinarian sent the cat home with a Holter or event monitor, instructions will need to be followed in order for the condition to be properly diagnosed. The cat will need to rest while it recovers after a heart attack in order to recover properly.
If a cat collapses at home, it's important to never administer CPR unless specifically trained in pet CPR as this could cause additional injury to the cat. If a cat does collapse, it's important to gently feel the cat's chest and note any heart irregularities, such as a fast or slow heartbeat, and report this to the veterinarian.
Heart Attack Average Cost
From 381 quotes ranging from $500 - $6,000
Average Cost
$2,000
Top
Heart Attack Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Burmilla
Bowie
9 Months
5 found this helpful
5 found this helpful
Heart attack after surgery. What would be the reason???? The cat had a port under anaesthetic as was not eating as throat was swollen after trauma. We not sure how the trauma happened? He crashed about an hour after surgery. What are the recovery rates? The vet has Bowie on oxygen through tube in throat. Thank you
May 22, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
5 Recommendations
Without knowing more details about Bowie, I'm really not able to comment on your questions, as there are too many variables that can affect anesthetic risk. Trauma to the chest and airways can be a big factor in anesthetic risk. I hope that Bowie is okay, and it seems that your veterinarian is doing everything that they can.
May 22, 2018
His owner has now taken him home and he has not woken up. It’s been about 3 days and vet today gave him 7ml I think into port to see how he tolerate. He went well. Owner going to put feed through tonight which so far has be ok too. But he won’t wake up. He seems to have little coughing fits and open his eyes but then goes back to sleep. He just sleeps but can be a little responsive. I am so devastated and owner may give him to Sunday to recover more until then but may put him to sleep. I want to give him more time to let his body recover. What do you think. Vet says he in no pain
May 25, 2018
Bowie's Owner
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Persian
Seven
1 Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
I have more the one years old female persian cat, after she gave birth for twice I decided to send her to the vet to perform spaying because I want her to have a long life, to avoid diseases and to stop her giving birth since we lived only in company accommodation and we're not allow to have lot of cats. Nov.14,2019 morning before I went to work I hug her so tight and told her that she needs to be strong because is this the day that she'll have her surgery and that's the last time I saw her eyes around 1:15 in that afternoon the vet called me that my cat is gone. They said while doing the incision my cat is in seizure they said they tried to recover her but its not work.The cause of her death is cardiac arrest I don't know what to felt but I cried and cried I felt that I made a wrong decision for her. She's healthy and all we know everything will be fine, the vet ask if I'm aware that she has a heart problem. I don't know that she has. It so painful that in that one glimpse I lost my love. I just don't understand why that happen and I'm wondering also , is the vet check the vital signs before they do the operation? if yes, and they detect that the cat has an abnormal heart rate why they still continue? or they don't really check it. It is normal to not put any monitoring device while doing surgery for cat?why my cat experience seizure in surgery?
Read more at: https://wagwalking.com/cat/condition/heart-attack
shorthair Orange
OKitty
6 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Stomach Rising And Falling Rapidly
6 year old TNR male one of 8, all previously feral, that live outside on my property with food and shelter,love and care. He was breathing too rapidly very cold and wet outside,I brought him in for 2 days and saw Vet on Saturday. She did xray, thought his heart might be enlarged, gave oxygen with mask, and he was very stressed with open mouth breathing when he came back to Exam Room. Diagnosed Asthma gave Prednison. No improvement I returned Wednesday, off Prednison gave Lasix shot. I asked for blood work, didn't think necessary. I let him outside to pee etc. when I got home Wednesday & started calling him to come in 1/2 hour later. He always comes when I call. Another 1/2 hour & more calling I heard 4 or 5 loud guttural screams that I followed to where he was under the deck. I knew he was dead. I had the deck pulled up today so I could get his body. He was my bonded to me cat, leader of the pack cat, the Vet knew him and had operated on a toe injury previously. I'm heartbroken. I don't understand the Vet's treatment at all. I will never forget the screams I heard. I found him a bit further toward the front of the deck then I had originally thought, I believe he was trying to come to me.
Heart Attack Average Cost
From 381 quotes ranging from $500 - $6,000
Average Cost
$2,000
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