What is Congestive Heart Failure (left side) ?
A cat’s heart consist of four different chambers. The right side of the heart collects blood to pump to the lungs and become full of oxygen, then the left side of the heart collects the blood to send it to the rest of the body’s organs. But when heart failures occurs on the left side, it leads to too much blood in the lungs and not enough for other organs. Because of this, cats with congestive heart failure will experience serious health problems.
Symptoms too look for
- Problems breathing
- Weakness
- Must stand in a weird position to elevate pain
- Increase heart rate
- When listening to lungs, a crackle sound can be heard
- Pale greyish bluish mucus
- Gums turn pale for awhile after lightly pressing w/finger
- Weak pulse
- Possible heart murmur
Causes
Different causes can lead to heart failure, here are a few cause.
Muscle failure of the left heart chamber
- Heart worm or other parasite infection
- Inactive thyroid
- Overactive thyroid
Pressure overload of the left heart
- High blood pressure
- Narrowing of artery
- Tumor
Volume overload, separation of left artery and ventricle
- Abnormal development of Mitral valve
- Abnormal hole in the wall that divides the two bottom chambers.
Issues with getting the left side of heart filled with blood
- Restricting inflammation in sac around the heart
- Enlargement due to heart disease
- Tumor/blood clots
- Fluid filling sac making it heard to breathe
Heart Beat rhythm issues
- Increase heart beat
- Decrease heart beat
Trip to the vet
If you find that your cat have these symptoms contact your vet In order to help your kitty with his or her problem. The vet will perform different test including a blood test to find out what caused it and how bad it is. Type of treatment will depend on the cause. If your cat’s conditions are mild, the vet may prescribe medication and a diet change. A really bad case, where your cat is having trouble breathing may mean your cat need to be put in ICU, in a oxygen cage. For heart abnormalities, surgery maybe recommended.