Heart Disease in Cats
Dr. Jeff Nichol, DVM, IAABC Veterinary Behaviorist
Cardiomyopathy can cause blood clots. Severe pain & paralysis can be debilitating.
Question:
My cat has just had his second thromboembolism. My vet has treated him with heparin. Does he need anything else?
Dr. Nichol:
This is a tough problem. The blood clots in your cat are caused by a heart disease called cardiomyopathy. It is a severely debilitating condition of the heart muscle. Sludging of the blood in the left atrium of the heart leads to clots that can stop blood flow-most often to the rear legs. It’s extremely painful.
Depending on your cat’s ECG cardiac drugs may be needed. Anticoagulants “blood thinners” like heparin and Warfarin are often helpful. But these are risky. Warfarin is the active ingredient in rodent poisons. It must be dosed and monitored carefully. Aspirin, on the other hand, may be sufficient; and it’s much safer.
Your cat’s doctor may also prescribe blood pressure mediation. These are hard cases. The long term prognosis for your kitty is not great. Enjoy every day with this boy.
Related Posts
About the author
Dr. Jeff Nichol, DVM, IAABC is a residency trained veterinary behaviorist whose practice is dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of behavior disorders of dogs and cats. With extensive experience in general practice and behavior medicine, he works with pet parents to tailor practical, individualized treatment plans to improve the well-being of pets and their people.
Dr. Nichol regularly writes about the treatment of behavior problems, including anxiety, aggression, fear, separation, house soiling, and other common concerns in companion pets.
