How long do cats with heart failure live? Treatment and care. Compensatory Mechanisms in Heart Failure in Cats

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Heart failure is not independent disease or diagnosis is a syndrome in which severe dysfunction results in the inability to maintain adequate blood circulation in the cardiovascular system. Exists limited quantity specific disorders in which heart disease can cause malfunctions of cardio-vascular system. In this regard, the symptoms that develop as a result of heart failure are also quite definite.

Types of heart failure in cats.

heart failure by functional disorders can be divided into four types:

• Systolic myocardial insufficiency;
• Lack of blood flow to the heart;
• High blood pressure;
• Increased volume of pumped blood;

Systolic myocardial insufficiency is a general decrease in the ability of the heart muscle to contract. The disease can be detected using echocardiography (ultrasound) - by reducing the movement of the wall during ventricular contraction. If the decrease becomes significant, normal blood flow cannot be maintained. Causes of systolic myocardial failure in cats include trauma, infection, poisoning, drugs, electrical shock, heat stroke, and tumors. In some cases, the cause cannot be determined.

Heart failure due to lack of venous blood flow(obstruction) can lead to reduced blood flow. Causes may be extrinsic compression of the heart (eg, fluid in the sac surrounding the heart), diastolic dysfunction due to increased wall stiffness and decreased ventricular filling, or abnormalities physical structures hearts.

Heart failure due to high blood pressure develops as a result of a long-term increase in the load on the walls of the heart during contractions. The cause may be obstruction of blood flow from the heart or high blood pressure throughout the body or in the arteries of the lungs.

Heart failure due to volume overload develops in some diseases that are accompanied by an increase in the amount of blood in the ventricles, thus increasing blood flow. Eventually, this may lead to symptoms congestive heart failure. Diseases that cause volume overload of the myocardium include valvular disease (eg, degenerative disease of the atrioventricular valves), left-to-right shunting (eg, open ductus arteriosus, defect interventricular septum) or diseases such as anemia and hyperthyroidism.

Compensatory mechanisms in heart failure in cats.

The cat's cardiovascular system maintains normal blood pressure and blood flow. In heart disease, the body uses specific mechanisms, helping to normalize these indicators and eliminate Negative consequences that the disease has on the body. Unfortunately, long-term activation of such mechanisms can harm the heart muscle and other organs of the cat, leading to the development of heart failure.

Symptoms of heart failure in cats.

Signs of heart failure depend on the cause that led to its occurrence on which of the chambers is affected. In hyperthyroidism, the symptoms are related to pressure in the blood vessels that carry blood to the left ventricle. Fluid in the lungs and the resulting difficulty in breathing and coughing are the most common manifestations, although coughing in cats accompanies heart failure much less frequently than in dogs. Rapid breathing, loss of appetite, decreased mobility can also signal a disease.

Right-sided congestive heart failure leads to increased pressure in the veins and capillaries. The cause may be the accumulation of fluid in abdominal cavity, chest cavity or limbs.

Biventricular insufficiency observed if both the right and left ventricles of the cat's heart are affected, for example, as a result of dilated cardiomyopathy or exposure to toxins. With this form of insufficiency, signs of both right-sided and left-sided congestive heart failure can be observed, although the symptoms of one of the forms usually predominate.

Treatment of heart failure in cats.

In the process of treating heart failure, efforts should be directed to increasing the performance of the heart muscle, normalizing the heart rhythm and blood pressure, improving blood flow and reducing the amount of blood that fills the heart before contraction. All this, if left untreated, can lead to further damage to the heart and blood vessels. It is also necessary to reduce the amount of fluid that accumulates in the lungs, abdominal and chest cavities.

Used to treat heart failure in cats different kinds medicines. Specific drugs, their dosage and frequency of administration vary greatly depending on the severity of the disease and many contributing factors, that's why right choice can only do qualified specialist. When treating, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the recommendations of the veterinarian, otherwise the treatment may be ineffective and even cause complications or harm the health of the cat.

For breeding excess fluid usually use diuretics. Digitalis and digoxin are drugs from the group of positive inotropic agents that can be used to increase the contractility of the heart muscle. ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors and vasodilators may be used to dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure. Beta-adrenergic blockers (beta-blockers) and blockers calcium channels may also be useful in some cases of congestive heart failure.

In addition to medications, other treatments are sometimes recommended. Among them, the diet low content sodium (prescription or in commercial feeds), oxygen therapy to increase blood oxygen levels and surgical procedures for removing excess fluid from the chest and abdomen.

Heart failure is the inability of the heart to pump the amount of blood the body needs to normal operation. According to the rate of development of changes, chronic and acute are distinguished. Heart failure rarely occurs as an independent disorder. As a rule, it accompanies a number of heart diseases, internal organs and infections.

Acute heart failure is one of the most common causes death of pets. The most common heart failure sufferers are:

• dogs;
• horses;
• cats.

Acute heart failure usually occurs in animals older than six years of age. However, in some cases, the disorder is observed in animals from the age of six months.

Acute heart failure is a severe disorder.

If your pet has severe shortness of breath after normal exercise, or your pet sits with legs wide apart and chest puffed out, contact your veterinarian. In the early stages, acute heart failure is cured completely.

Acute heart failure is most commonly reported in dog breeds:

• boxer;
• chihuahua;
• doberman;
• German dog;
• black terrier;
• German Shepherd;
• springer spaniel;
• English bulldog;
• Yorkshire Terrier;
• Irish wolfhound;
• French Bulldog;
• smooth-haired dachshund;

Main signs of heart failure

At minimum load or even without it, the animal has heavy breathing. Cats breathe through their open mouths. Breathing may be accompanied by gurgling or wheezing sounds heard at a distance of about half a meter.

The animal quickly gets tired of the usual loads. The movements are careful.

The inner surface of the mouth, eyelid has a bluish tint. Abdominal volume increases sharply, appetite decreases. Sometimes there are swelling on the paws.

Cats and dogs sit with their paws wide apart, their chests sticking out. Dogs develop coughing fits, soreness in the left shoulder and shoulder blades.

An alarming symptom is the appearance of foam with a pinkish tinge in the corners of the mouth.

The rate of development of signs of acute heart failure depends on the breed, the climatic properties of the region and individual features animals.

Causes and course of heart failure

Acute heart failure is caused by:

• heart defects;
• myocardial infarction;
• incorrect loads;
• inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis);
• violations of the blood supply to the heart muscle (myocardial ischemia);
• persistently high blood pressure (hypertension).

Heart defects characterized by improper valve operation. As a result, when the heart contracts, only part of the blood enters the vessels. And part is thrown into the atrium. In most cases, heart defects in animals are congenital. But they can occur due to caries of the teeth or bones, improper or delayed treatment. open fractures.

myocardial infarction- one of the stages in the development of insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle. Accompanied by its complete or partial necrosis. As a result of a heart attack, there is simply nothing to pump blood around the body.

Wrong loads show an insidious effect on the heart after a long period. In some cases, the heart muscle, the myocardium, gets tired of improper loads. And the vessels do not have time to provide the myocardium with oxygen and nutrients.

In other cases, the animal is given the correct load for several years, the heart develops normally. However, with age, the degree of load is sharply reduced. As a result, the myocardium degrades, and the volume of the heart remains the same. And the heart can no longer pump the amount of blood the body needs.

Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) in animals occurs as a complication purulent lesions skin (pyoderma), delayed treatment of open fractures, piroplasmosis. In some cases, it is caused by autoimmune disorders. Myocarditis leads to swelling and overgrowth of the heart muscle. This causes compression of the myocardium by other layers of the heart. The ability of the heart muscle to contract and pump blood is dramatically reduced.

Lack of blood supply to the heart muscle (myocardial ischemia) leads to the accumulation of products of its work. The heart muscle gets tired faster. The myocardium does not receive the amount necessary for full contractions nutrients. The ability of the heart to contract and pump the volume of blood needed by the body decreases.

Persistently high blood pressure (hypertension) lead to increased stress on the heart. The myocardium has to pump everything more blood, and the vascular system in the heart cannot provide adequate nutrition myocardium.

In the early stages of heart failure, a decrease in the heart's ability to pump blood is noticeable with heavy exertion. A decrease in the volume of blood pumped by the heart leads to a deterioration in the functioning of the liver and lungs. The animal's appetite decreases, there is a lack of oxygen. In an effort to make up for the lack of oxygen, the animal begins to breathe often and deeply. Within a few weeks, the myocardium begins to break down. The ability of the heart to contract and pump blood is reduced. Blood accumulates in the capillaries and veins, increasing the load on the myocardium. Red blood cells circulating throughout the body give off oxygen, take in carbon dioxide. The hemoglobin contained in them acquires a dark blue color.

The load on the heart increases, and the ability of the myocardium to pump blood drops even more. The myocardium becomes low on oxygen. There is a pathological dependence: the less blood the heart pumps, the less oxygen and nutrients enter the heart. Accordingly, the performance of the myocardium is reduced even more. Simultaneously decreases arterial pressure, necessary for the body for breathing and maintaining metabolism.

Part of the blood stagnates in the lungs and exfoliates. Plasma, liquid part blood, enters the lungs and blocks breathing. This process is called pulmonary edema. The body gets even less oxygen. The ability of the heart to contract decreases, the amount of blood plasma in the lungs increases.

Death occurs within about a month and a half from a critical burning of the heart's ability to pump blood or asphyxiation as a result of pulmonary edema. Even with treatment, mortality from acute heart failure reaches 70%, in some regions even more. The leading cause of such high mortality is untimely appeal animals to the veterinarian.

Treatment of acute heart failure

Treatment depends on the causes and underlying disease. With rare exceptions, manipulations are aimed at:

• treatment of the underlying disease;
• maintaining optimal blood pressure;
• elimination of failures in the rhythm of the heart (arrhythmias);
• maintaining the functioning of the liver;
• facilitating the work of the myocardium;
• prevention or elimination of pulmonary edema.

At the same time, physical activity is limited to the animal to a minimum.

Treatment of the underlying disease- main stage deliverance of the animal from acute heart failure. Myocardial ischemia requires the use of agents that improve the blood supply to the heart muscle. Trimetazidine, mexicor, etc. are widely used. To improve the nutrition of the myocardium, the main "energy carrier" in the body is adenosine triphosphoric acid (ATP), asparkam, etc. In some cases, antibiotics may be required to treat myocarditis. The choice of specific drugs depends on the condition of the animal, the stage of the underlying disease and its severity.

Elimination of failures in the rhythm of the heart (arrhythmias) is carried out according to ECG results. Prescribing decisions are made strictly on an individual basis.

Keeping the liver working is required in case of significant violations of its work. In most cases drugs are used plant origin, stabilizing membranes of hepatic cells. Karsil, silibor, etc. are used.

Facilitate the work of the myocardium achieved through comprehensive measures. Are used plant matter that enhance myocardial contractions, the so-called. cardiac glycosides. Strophanthin, digoxin or digitoxin are widely used. According to the results of the ECG, substances that dilate blood vessels (apressin, nitroglycerin, etc.) can be used. Substances that reduce the sensitivity of the heart muscle to stress hormones (beta-blockers) can be used. Oxprenolol and other drugs are used.

Prevention or elimination of pulmonary edema achieved with diuretics. In most cases, 40% glucose solution (intravenously), veroshpiron, in rare cases use lasix or furosemide. Simultaneously with lasix and furosemide, asparkam or panangin is used.

How does it work?

Like in humans, the cat's heart is the main link in the circulatory system, it is a muscular hollow organ located in chest behind the middle bone and is essentially a pump for pumping blood. First, the blood enters right side hearts from where pulmonary artery pumped out to the lungs for oxygen saturation. The saturated blood then enters the left side heart, which pumps it further into the aorta, from where it is distributed throughout the body. Both the left and right sides of the heart consist of an upper chamber, the atrium, and a lower chamber, the ventricle. Valves (tricuspid on the right side and mitral on the left) prevent the return of blood to the atrium from the ventricle during its contraction. The muscles of the ventricles, connected to the valves by tendons, prevent them from being pushed towards the atria.

Heart pathology in cats

The heart of pets, like the human heart, is also prone to various diseases. Pathologies of cardio-vascular system can be either acquired or congenital. Genetic predisposition to heart defects large breeds Maine Coon, British and Scottish, as well as Persian, Abyssinian, Sphynx.

Many heart diseases develop gradually, often over several years. And when the animal begins to show clinical signs, the body usually already has serious violations.

Cardiomyopathy are the most common cardiac pathologies in cats. Their causes often remain unclear.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy("thick a big heart"") - the main heart disease cats, which is characterized by thickening of the heart muscle and, consequently, a decrease in the volume of the ventricles. With timely detection, this disease is treated quite well, and improving the nutrition of the heart muscle and reducing the load on it can keep the pet healthy for many years.

Other heart diseases:

Pathologies inflammatory nature (myocarditis and endocarditis) are both infectious and non-infectious (aseptic) in nature.

When the immune system cats are significantly weakened due to some kind of infection, for example, a viral one, then with the blood flow they can penetrate into the lining of the heart pathogenic bacteria(sometimes fungi) and cause septic inflammation, which, without timely treatment may result in acute heart failure.

Non-infectious inflammation of the heart muscle occurs in cats as a result of the use of certain medicines(eg, cytostatics, painkillers, or anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)).

Myocarditis- inflammatory damage to the heart muscle, which occurs as a complication of sepsis, pancreatitis, panleukopenia, pyometra, uremia, as well as acute intoxication. Myocarditis is acute and chronic and manifests itself in violation of the rhythm of heart contractions.

Myocardosis non-inflammatory heart disease characterized by dystrophic processes in the myocardium (the muscular layer of the heart). Unbalanced feeding, intoxication in chronic infectious, invasive, gynecological and other non-communicable diseases lead to its development.

Secondary cardiomyopathies in cats occur as a result of diseases of other organs, for example, with deviations in work thyroid gland(hyperthyroidism). Continuous tachycardia due to high content in the blood of thyroid hormones leads to a thickening of the wall of the left ventricle of the heart and, consequently, a decrease in the volume of ejected blood. The heart is working hard.

Congenital pathologies (cardiac arrhythmias and disorders in the heart valves) are usually associated with underdevelopment of the valvular apparatus of the heart, with a violation of the occurrence and conduction nerve impulse to the myocardium, resulting in severe arrhythmias.

But severe genetic heart abnormalities in adult cats are rarely diagnosed, as they usually lead to the death of kittens in early age.

Congenital pathologies of the heart of cats and cats: non-closure of the ductus arteriosus of the heart, narrowing (stenosis) of the opening of the pulmonary artery, stenosis of the aortic orifice.

Cardiac arrhythmias not necessarily initially associated with heart disease itself. They may occur when various diseases other systems and organs. But with prolonged secondary arrhythmia pathological changes over time, they will appear in the heart muscle itself.

arrhythmias (except congenital disorder) is not always a separate disease. To establish its cause, a number of studies are often required, since drugs prescribed for one type of rhythm disturbance are contraindicated for another.

Symptoms

Appearance clear clinical symptoms cardiomyopathy in cats suggests that pathological process in the heart is already sufficiently developed, and it is no longer possible to cure a sick animal.

• Dyspnea (hard breath) AT pleural cavity(the slit-like space between the pleura sheets - the membranes surrounding each lung) an accumulation of fluid is formed. As a result, a cat, with little physical exertion or even just at rest, breathes with his tongue or stomach hanging out, and not his lungs.
• Asphyxiation
• Fainting, loss of consciousness accompanied by shallow breathing and thready pulse
• Cough When the heart muscle increases in volume due to pathology, it begins to put pressure on the nearby trachea, as a result, the animal develops a reflex cough. But this symptom is usually inherent in dogs, cats with heart disease rarely cough. characteristic symptom for cats is shortness of breath.
• Ascites(fluid in the abdomen) edema
• Unproductive vomiting, decrease in body temperature below 37°, total weakness

Other symptoms of heart failure are not specific and can occur in other diseases. It is limited physical activity, general weakness and fast fatiguability, drowsiness, loss of appetite. Thus, if a cat sleeps all the time, then perhaps this is not a manifestation of its phlegmatic character, but one of the signs of a disease of the cardiovascular system.

Many cats can lead active image life, until their heart becomes drastically deformed and its chambers become so large that blood flow slows down, forming blood clots. One such large blood clot is able to clog vital arteries.

Kittens with heart disease are weak, lag behind in development and gain weight poorly.

Diagnostics

Only a doctor can determine that the symptoms of malaise in a pet are related specifically to heart disease. And often a clinical examination and listening to heart murmurs are not enough to make a diagnosis and need additional examinations. What may be required for diagnosis:

• Anamnesis (collection of information from the owner)
• Physical examination (examination, palpation, listening with a phonendoscope (auscultation))
• Tonometry (pressure measurement)
• Electrocardiography (ECG - measurement electrical activity heart) is not informative method for diagnosing heart diseases, used to detect pathologies associated with circulatory rhythm disorders
• Radiography (the main diagnostic method) - provides information about the shape and size of the heart, the condition of the lungs (the presence of edema, blood stasis, etc.). Pictures must be of high quality.
• Echocardiography (ultrasound is the main diagnostic method) provides information about the wall thickness, the size and shape of the atria, the diameter of the aorta, the rhythm of contractions, the presence of blood clots, etc. Modern ultrasound machines can use the Doppler effect to assess blood flow.

Prevention and treatment

Of course, sedentary image life, malnutrition and, as a result, the main enemies of the cat's heart.

But heart disease does not always affect pets with only a "sofa" lifestyle. After all, some cats may have genetic predisposition or congenital pathology. Therefore, it is desirable to diagnostic examination pet shortly after purchase. And be sure to ask the doctor every time to listen to his heart during visits to the clinic, for example, for vaccination.

One of the indicators of a latent form of cardiopathology is pulmonary edema caused by a complication after the use of anesthesia. Therefore, before any operation, an examination (ultrasound) is recommended for animals, especially for cats of risk breeds.

Heart disease can be varying degrees manifestations, such as even staying on early stage 12 - 14 years old.

When hypertrophic cardiomyopathy pet can live full life but will require an annual review.

At developing pathology the cat is registered with a cardiologist, her condition is monitored, and tablets are prescribed for treatment.

Cats do not undergo heart surgery, so it is only possible drug treatment. And if the pet is diagnosed chronic illness heart, then this treatment will be long-term or, most likely, lifelong.

The task of cardiac therapy is to facilitate the work of the heart, reduce the load on it, correct heart rate and blood pressure, as well as improving blood supply and nutrition of the myocardium.

Cardiac failure develops under the following circumstances:

Symptoms

The disease proceeds in an acute or permanent form. In the first case, the symptoms are pronounced, in the second it is not easy to notice them, because the cat often sleeps.

Acute cardiac failure

During the manifest process, the animal experiences oxygen starvation is characterized by the following symptoms:

• dyspnea;
• loss of consciousness;
• wheezing, loud alarming meow;
• paralysis hind limbs full or partial;
• tachycardia;
• gums become bluish.

Chronic heart failure

It develops slowly, sometimes the owner notices something was wrong after a few years. It has the following characteristics:

• lethargy, lack of playfulness;
• persistent shortness of breath;
• bloated belly;
• thirst;
• mucous membranes temporarily turn blue;
• The cat has fainting spells.

Diagnostics

Preliminary diagnosis put on the basis clinical signs. The owner of a cat should be alert to changes in behavior. The pet avoids communication, does not play, meows plaintively. The final diagnosis is established by a veterinary cardiologist based on the clinic, as well as the following studies:

• standard analysis urine and blood;
• thoracic radiograph;

Animals with confirmed heart failure from breeding exclude.

Treatment

The life of a pet suffering from cardiac insufficiency depends on the action of a felinologist. When fainting, do the following:

• lay the cat, giving the head a position on its side;
• pull the tongue out of the mouth;
• put on the forehead cold compress;
• fix the paws in a position above the head so that the blood rushes not to them, but to the brain;
• call a veterinarian.

Treatment of acute insolvency consists of the following actions:

• provide complete peace, do not turn on the TV or vacuum cleaner;
• use diuretics;
• if necessary, aspirate the fluid accumulated in the chest or abdominal cavity;
• apply ACE inhibitors that reduce the load on the myocardium;
• drip enter cardiac glycosides, glucose, electrolytes.

With chronic insolvency, refuse natural nutrition and go to medicinal feed low sodium and high concentration taurine.

Cope with the problems that arise due to the presence kidney failure in cats, cats and kittens, it is not an easy task, and here you need to pay attention to the first symptoms and have time to contact a veterinarian as soon as signs of such a serious health problem in a pet are found.

There are nutritional requirements for cats with this problem and general recommendations which must be followed in order to get the desired result from proper treatment prescribed by a qualified veterinarian.

Heart failure in cats, cats and kittens early symptoms, is CHF treated in cats diagnosis and diet

Heart failure in cats, unlike humans, develops quite rarely. First an alarming symptom disease is shortness of breath in case of the slightest physical activity, asthma attacks, cough, fainting, weakness. In old animals, CHF can cause asphyxia and ascites.

Chronic heart failure develops as a result of a sedentary, "bedside" lifestyle and malnutrition leading to obesity.

The disease is treated and even slowed down at an early stage, which, however, does not negate the annual observation by a doctor. When CHF is diagnosed, sick animals are given protein and taurine-rich food.

Is it possible to treat CHF in cats and cats with Corvalol, iodine at home

With heart failure, cats can be given such “human” medicines as corvalol, valocordin and valerian, but in a meager amount and strictly as prescribed by the attending physician. The same applies to iodine. Usually, as a general tonic, it is not iodine that is prescribed, but blue iodine, iodine-active or iodomarin.

Acute heart failure in cats Pulmonary edema

A cat suffering from acute heart failure will have to be treated for life. She constantly needs drugs that do not allow blood to clot, and diuretics that remove excess fluid and reduce swelling.

With incorrectly calculated doses of drugs, a cat may begin pulmonary edema, and if heart failure is added to this ailment, then the animal may not be saved.

Heart failure in cats treatment. How to treat

In the treatment of heart failure, drugs are prescribed that increase the blood supply to the heart muscles (Mexicor, trimetazidine). Myocardial nutrition is carried out by adenosine triphosphoric acid and asparkam. Sometimes a course of antibiotics is added. The doctor selects the treatment regimen individually, taking into account the stage and severity of the disease, as well as the condition of the animal.

Heart failure in a cat causes, prognosis

Causes that cause heart failure in cats can be hypertension, ischemia, myocarditis, myocardial infarction, heart defects.

It is clear that it is impossible to give correspondence recommendations for the treatment of heart failure and any prognosis for such different diagnoses. The statistics show that fatal outcome in heart failure occurs in 70% of cases.

The death of animals occurs from suffocation or pulmonary edema due to the fact that the owners of the animals do not turn to the veterinarian in time and self-medicate.

Chronic heart failure in a cat what to do, what to feed after surgery

Chronic heart failure is an atypical disease for a cat, so clinics that eliminate this heart disease surgical method, too little.

And yet, if the operation is done, then the first day after it, the cat is not fed at all. In the future, special concentrated food is used or products recommended by the doctor are given,

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