What is feline heart disease?
There are various different types of heart failure but essentially the heart is no longer strong enough to pump enough blood around the body to keep it functionally properly. The symptoms of heart failure differ depending on which part of the heart is failing, the differences are: Right side of the heart is failing – this is called congestive heart failure and some of the symptoms are: • Swelling in the abdomen due to fluid build up • Swelling in the limbs (known as dropsy) Left side of the heart is failing – blood pressure builds up in the pulmonary system causing what is known as an edema. The symptoms are: • Rapid breathing • Tiredness • Coughing Although feline heart disease can occur in any breed of cat there are a few which are more prone to the condition and so require extra watching for signs of heart failure.
