Cats also have a very keen sense of smell and can often tell when you are sick before you even know it yourself. Most felines will respond to their owners depression by becoming more sympathetic. This means heart disease develops in a previously healthy cat, with problems such as cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease) and valves that degenerate and start to leak. Prognosis can vary depending on when the heart disease is identified, what the condition is, and how effective treatment is. As well as making the diagnosis, your vet will also note details about many aspects of your cats heart, including the heartbeat, heart rhythm, heart rate and regularity, and the presence of any heart murmur (a hissing sound, indicating turbulence of blood flow in the heart or leaky heart valves). If your veterinarian tells you that your cat has heart disease, discuss the diagnosis in detail with your veterinarian so that the condition can be fully investigated, and a detailed treatment plan put in place. These bitter chemicals can be detected by a cats sensitive sense of taste, even in very small quantities. However, anecdotal (not scientific) evidence suggests that they may be able to do so. Testing For Abdominal Enlargement In Cats. This is why many diabetics report that their cats will often sniff them more frequently than usual. One study found that cats preferred to spend more time with people who had a cold and seemed to avoid people with a more serious illness. But can they tell when were sick? Some may reflect another disease process such as anemia. Also Read:10 Subtle Signs Your Cat May Be Sick. They seem to know when were feeling down and will often curl up next to us to offer some comfort. We work to make the world a better place for cats, and we're getting better for you. If left untreated, heart disease can cause other serious symptoms in the body and potentially be fatal. Unless there is a congenital defect that can be corrected with surgery, feline heart disease is typically treated with medication. Any expressions of pain, such as wincing or a grimace, will not go unnoticed by your cat. Heart Attacks In Cats: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment, Cat Bloodwork (Different Types of Tests, Health Conditions And Costs), Heavy Breathing Cat The 3 Types Of Heavy Breathing And What They Mean, Cat Back Legs Collapsing: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment, View all posts by Dr. Pete Wedderburn, DVM, Xylitol Poisoning In Cats: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment, Stomatitis In Cats: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment, Ataxia In Cats: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment, Eyelid Agenesis In Cats: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment, 7 Signs Your Cat Is Not Getting Enough Love, How To Stop Cats From Scratching Furniture. If you are sick, your cat may become more clingy or affectionate than usual. Its almost like they can sense when you are sick. Your cat may lose its appetite or become anorexic (refusing to eat) when dealing with heart disease. But did you know that cats can also sense when were ill? Your cat can likely detect your low moods through your behavior. So, if youre ever feeling down, make sure to give your cat a little extra love and attention. Cardiomyopathy has several forms: The term "congestive heart failure" broadly refers to heart disease that is so severe that the heart is unable to pump blood forward through the body, causing fluid to back up and accumulate in the lungs or abdomen. Respiratory infections raise heart attack risk by 17 times. This leads to complications around the body and ongoing illness, and ultimately can lead to the death of a cat. Moreover, cats can interpret body language and facial expressions. Symptoms are pain and the inability to walk normally on the hind legs. They may not be able to tell you whats wrong, but theyll definitely let you know that something is up. However, there are a few things that we can take into consideration when trying to determine whether or not cats know when you are dying. There are a few things that cats do when they smell cancer. Some commonly used medications for cats include the ACE inhibitors enalapril or benazepril, the beta blocker atenolol, and diuretics such as furosemide or spironolactone. Using this formula, a ten-year-old cat is similar age wise to a 53-year-old person, a 12-year-old cat to a 61-year-old person, and a 15-year-old cat to a person of 73. This can also lead to weight loss, which can happen quickly depending on the severity of the condition. As heart disease advances, pet parents may start to notice some signs and symptoms. As long as they are able to maintain a normal body weight, cats with heart disease have no specific dietary requirements, as long as the diet contains adequate levels of the amino acid taurine. Acquired heart disease. Dilated Cardiomyopathy occurs when the heart has a decreased ability to pump or contract due to weak heart muscle tissue. However, they do have sharp senses, alongside a mentality of constant vigilance. Its true! More likely than weight gain is a bloated or distended abdomen. If your cat begins to exhibit changes in behavior like acting depressed, withdrawn, reluctance to accept affection, or isolating itself, the behavior may be caused by heart disease. When you get home from work the dog demands attention, you have to take it for a walk, dogs need to be fed according to a routine, whereas cats can practically take care of themselves. After all, theres nothing like a little feline love to help you through a tough time. She told US News & World Report: I would be inclined to think that any animal that is perceived as meaningful to a person in a positive way would have health benefits.. Required fields are marked *. Cats of any age or breed can suffer from CHF, but it is most common in middle-aged and senior cats. If left unchecked, the condition is likely to be fatal. The important fact to remember is that the cause of the heart disease must be identified accurately. With that in mind, they are likely to notice any psychological and behavioral changes caused by illness. Dr. Tarantino is part of The Spruce Pets' Veterinary Review Board. The researchers said dogs probably had a similar effect, but there werent enough dog owners in the study to show this conclusively. All rights reserved. Not all heart murmurs are associated with heart disease. Why Do Cats Hate Cucumbers? Enlarged Heart (Dilated Cardiomyopathy) in Cats, Heart Disease Caused by Scarring of the Heart Muscles in Cats. Curl up next to you to offer some purring comfort. There are many different types of heart disease that affect cats. It is important to remember that heart disease is not heart failure, although heart disease may eventually lead to heart failure. The cat's conical-shaped ears and their periphery position at the head contribute to their impeccable auditory sense and ability to pinpoint sources of specific sounds. Siamese Cats have also been diagnosed with another form of cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, where the heart muscle gets thinner as the heart enlarges. Cats feel secure around familiar scents and are intrigued by odors they dont recognize. While coughing is a major symptom of heart disease in dogs, it does not often occur in cats. Theres no denying that cats have a special bond with their owners. A cat may develop a range of signs, including dullness, inappetence, reduced activity, difficulty breathing, coughing, swollen abdomen and others. Also Read:Heavy Breathing Cat The 3 Types Of Heavy Breathing And What They Mean. Normal cats can have intermittent heart murmurs, often when their heart rate is increased due to stress, and these physiologic murmurs have no impact on their health. If your cat suddenly becomes restless at night where it wasnt before, be on the look-out for other signs of heart disease. Low salt diets are unlikely to be helpful unless the heart disease is associated with high blood pressure (hypertension). Normally, cats have a very regular heart rate, however with heart disease there can be interference in the normal electrical impulses that control heart contractions; this can lead to disturbances to the normal rhythm. The final stages of heart failure will result in difficulty breathing and coughing. The loudness of the murmur reflects the amount of turbulence but is not indicative of the severity of the disease. When a young kitten is diagnosed with heart disease, diagnostic testing will help determine what the prognosis is and whether medical treatment is necessary. A prescription diet may be recommended so that your cat is eating what is best for this condition. The cat may have a heart murmur, which lets the veterinarian know that there is blood moving through the heart in an abnormal direction. Also Read:Cat Bloodwork (Different Types of Tests, Health Conditions And Costs). These are all changes that can be easily detected by a cat. "That [makes . Your vet may detect a heart murmur or other sign that indicated early disease. Cats can sense how people are feeling, so your cat actually can tell when you're sad. This can cause the liver to become enlarged, which in turn makes your cat's abdomen appear swelled (distended). While heart disease is considered more common in humans and pets like dogs, cats are still susceptible to developing these health concerns. Your email address will not be published. There are a few different types, but they all tend to cause to similar symptoms. It turns out that cats can sense when were not feeling well, and they often show signs of concern. I am completely satisfied, I found useful information and tips in this article, Article was somewhat helpful, but could be improved. Both dogs and cats have been known to save numerous lives by recognizing and distinguishing the scent of human disease through chemical changes. Well, we don't know that, either. Executive director of the Institute, Dr Adnan Qureshi, who is also senior author of the study, was reported by US News & World Report to have said: For years we have known that psychological stress and anxiety are related to cardiovascular events, particularly heart attacks.. Theyre attentive to physical and psychological cues. Ultrasound of the heart enables detailed evaluation of the heart muscle, the heart chambers, the valves of the heart and other structures around the heart. In the early stages, heart disease is asymptomatic (no external clinical signs). However, severe forms of heart disease can be life-threatening and require aggressive treatment, and fatalities are still possible. They can often tell if someone is a good person or a bad person just by smelling them. A cat's superior senses of smell, hearing, touch, and sight mean that they react quickly to events. As heart disease advances, pet parents may start to notice some signs and symptoms. If were acting differently than usual or looking unkempt, our cats may pick up on these cues and sense that something is wrong. Log in 24/7 to access your pets health care information. Some of these tests can be easily done with your local veterinarian, while others may need a veterinary cardiologist to fully diagnose the problem. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. 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