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Increased Heart Rate in Cats
What is Increased Heart Rate?
A normal feline heart rate should stay between 140 and 220 beats per minute. His heart rate should be less when he is not excited, so the heart rate is typically lower at home than at the veterinarian’s office. An increased heart rate at times of rest may indicate an underlying condition, such as cardiac arrhythmia or congestive heart failure. If your cat's heart rate seems to remain high while he is relaxing at home, consult your veterinarian for advice.
Your cat's heart rate may vary from time to time, depending on his surroundings and level of stress. However, his heart rate should not remain elevated for extended periods of time.
Increased Heart Rate Average Cost
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Average Cost
$650
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Symptoms of Increased Heart Rate in Cats
Your cat may not have other symptoms along with his increased heat rate. However, if there is an underlying condition elevating his heart rate, other symptoms may occur. The following is a list of symptoms that can occur with an increased heart rate in cats:
- Heart rate over 220 BPM
- Coughing
- Fainting
- Weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Increased urination
- Excessive thirst
- Nervous behavior
- Sudden aggressive behavior
- Shallow breathing
- High blood pressure
- Unkempt coat
- Pale mucous membranes
- Intolerance to activity
Causes of Increased Heart Rate in Cats
A variety of medical conditions can cause your cat's heart rate to stay elevated. Here are some of the most common causes seen in cats:
Cardiac Arrhythmia
Cardiac arrhythmia can cause your cat's heart rate to be too high or low. It can also cause his heart to skip beats and become irregular. This condition can be diagnosed during a routine veterinarian visit, but often is missed due to the level of stress the cat is under at the doctor's office. In many cases, strange behavior is noticed by the owner such as rapid breathing or fainting which results in the doctor visit for diagnosis.
Hyperthyroidism
Thyroid conditions can cause your cat's metabolism to work harder and that may increase his heart rate. This condition occurs when your cat's thyroid releases more hormones than he needs.
Congestive Heart Failure
Congestive heart failure occurs when your cat's heart cannot pump enough blood throughout the body. When this happens, his lungs fill with fluid the cat will experience congestive heart failure. An increased heart rate is one symptom of this condition.
Diagnosis of Increased Heart Rate in Cats
Your doctor will begin by asking you questions regarding your cat's past health history. Include information such as unusual birth history, previously diagnosed health conditions and the date of symptom onset. After taking a medical history, your doctor will take your cat's vital signs such as his weight, temperature, respiration rate and heart rate and record them. He will examine your cat, listening to his heart and lungs. He may also test his reflexes and his neurological function.
Diagnostic testing may be done to help confirm a suspected diagnosis. Veterinarians routinely draw blood for a complete blood count or CBC and a biochemical profile. If a thyroid condition is suspected, your doctor will check the levels of thyroid hormones in your cat's body. A urine sample will be taken and examined for signs of infection. Your veterinarian may perform X-rays of your cat's chest and an EKG to check his heart function.
Treatment of Increased Heart Rate in Cats
The treatment of increased heart rate in cats depends on the cause of the condition. In most instances, treatment of the underlying condition is required to resolve symptoms. Many cats with cardiac arrhythmia are diagnosed with hyperthyroidism.If your cat is diagnosed with this condition, your doctor will prescribe medication to control it. These medications will most likely be needed for the rest of your cat's life but are often effective. Your doctor may perform surgery to remove the enlarged portion of the thyroid if necessary.
If your cat is in congestive heart failure, your doctor may admit him to the hospital for stabilization. He will have an IV in place and may receive oxygen. In severe cases, doctors remove fluid from around the cat’s heart so he can breathe more easily.
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Recovery of Increased Heart Rate in Cats
Your cat will continue to be monitored by your veterinarian for several weeks after his diagnosis and treatment. Be sure to attend all follow-up appointments and tell your doctor if anything unusual occurs. Your doctor will let you know if your cat must be placed on cage rest until he fully recovers. He will also let you know if your cat needs a special diet. If your cat has high blood pressure, he may need cat food lower in sodium. This type of food is typically available with a prescription and will help keep your cat healthy going forward. Developing a good rapport with your veterinarian is an integral part of communicating with him to keep your cat healthy.
Increased Heart Rate Average Cost
From 524 quotes ranging from $200 - $200
Average Cost
$650
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Increased Heart Rate Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Bmbleu
18 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Mouth Open
18 year old black cat with well controlles heart disease. Current breathing rate 21 and current heart rate 125 per minute. He had blood work recently which showed biliruben and normal-high urea. A urinalysis was also done which was all clear if a tiny bit dilute. He was outside in 30celcius heat when he walked back he had his mouth open mid walk for about 2 seconds. He closed it and lay down inside. The heart rate and breathing rate were measured a minute ago
Aug. 2, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
From your description, it does not sound like you have anything to worry about with Bmbleu, and he may have just been hot when he came inside. If he continues to breathe with his mouth open, a visit to your veterinarian would be a good idea.
Aug. 2, 2018
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Siberian breed
catu
2 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Hair Loss
Fleas
Excessive Shedding
Less Stamina
Frequent Change In Mood
More Sleep
Less Urinating
High Heart Beat Rate
Frequent Sleeping
My cat has been losing weight and she is becoming thin but the amount of food she has been eating is totally fine but recently she has dramatically changed her behaviour its like she is constantly meowing and wants to get petted and sometimes she hisses and asks to get pet.These days she is trig her best to get in the comforter which she never did before and she is having a lot of hair falls and her pupils remain dilated mostly I have taken her to vet but they are like she is fine but I am not satisfied .She had a miscarriage around 5 months ago.Recently she has got fleas.Her heart beat does not seem normal to me and I have seen contractions sort of thing in her abdomen region and she wont let me touch that part.I am really worried please help me .
May 5, 2018
0 Recommendations
An increase in heart rate may be an indicator of pain, however without examining Catu I cannot say what the specific cause of any of the symptoms are; the weight loss may be due to digestive issues, malabsorption disorders, fast gastrointestinal transit among other causes. Further examination by your Veterinarian (or another Veterinarian) is going to be needed to understand the underlying cause. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
May 6, 2018
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Increased Heart Rate Average Cost
From 524 quotes ranging from $200 - $200
Average Cost
$650
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Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
