Heart disease is a common disease of cats. It has been shown to affect approximately 15% of healthy cat populations. Cats are able to hide their heart disease well, making detection of heart disease very difficult. Compared to dogs, cats are less likely to have a heart murmur which is detectable with a stethoscope, and cats often do not show outward signs of disease (known as ‘subclinical’) until the disease is advanced. This can prevent or delay the diagnosis of heart disease.

The most common heart disease affecting cats is known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, where the walls of the heart enlarge and thicken. The thickened heart wall is stiff, and efficiency of the heart to pump is reduced.

Breeds of cats who are predisposed to heart disease include Maine Coons, Rexes, Persians, Sphynx and Ragdolls. All geriatric cats are also at risk of this disease.

The ‘gold standard’ method of testing for heart disease in cats is through an echocardiogram of the heart, where the heart can be visualised. This test requires a specialist to perform an ultrasound of the heart so that the structure and function of the heart can be visualised. This is not a realistic test to be performing on all cats, due to the time and cost required.

At McLaren Vale Veterinary Surgery we can perform a simple, cost-effective blood test which can detect the presence of heart disease in cats and have results within minutes. This test detects a hormone called proBNP which is released into the blood stream by heart muscles. Low concentrations of proBNP are always circulating in the bloodstream. However, excessive stretching of heart muscle due to heart disease increases the secretion of these hormones. Therefore, high levels of proBNP can easily detect heart disease allowing early diagnosis and treatment of heart disease. If heart disease is detected, further diagnostics may be required.

Anaesthetic procedures can increase the stress placed on the heart. Therefore, we strongly recommend all cats of the predisposed breeds (listed above), or older cats undergo this blood test prior to an anaesthetic procedure to ensure they have a healthy heart.

For further information on pre-anaesthetic blood tests we recommend, please click here.

For more information on heart disease in cats, please visit Heart Smart.