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P M Cat Chat Fall 2016 What’s in this issue… Heart Disease in Cats How to Have a Successful Vet Visit Feline Herpes Virus: FAQ Heart Disease in Cats By Christine Duree, DVM About 1/4 to 1/3 of apparently healthy cats have a heart murmur. Of these cats, approximately 50% have heart disease. About 6% of cats don’t have a murmur but have heart disease. Certain breeds such as Bengals, Himalayans, Persians, and Maine Coons tend to have higher rates. How the heart functions The heart has four chambers. The top two chambers are called atria. The bottom two chambers are called ventricles, and they are the pumps of the heart. The right atrium collects blood from the body and passes it into the right ventricle which pumps it to the lungs. The left atrium collects blood from the lungs and passes it into the left ventricle which pumps it to the body. How the heart malfunctions Heart disease in cats is typically due to cardiomyopathies, which affect the muscles of the heart. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common form. With HCM, the walls of the left ventricle become thickened and are no longer able to relax and stretch properly, preventing normal filling. Often the heart rate will increase to compensate. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is rarely diagnosed since taurine, an amino acid, has been added to commercial cat foods. DCM causes the left ventricle muscles to weaken and thin, therefore not pumping blood effectively to the body. Restrictive and unclassified cardiomyopathies are rare and less well understood. It is also rare for valve disease to cause heart disease in cats, though they are a common cause of innocent murmurs. When the left ventricle is less able to pump the blood forward, blood can back up into the left atrium and then into the lungs which allows fluid to leak into the lung tissue. When fluid starts leaking into the lungs, heart disease has progressed to congestive heart failure. This makes it difficult for oxygen and carbon dioxide to be exchanged in the lungs, and the cat often has respiratory difficulty which can look like rapid, shallow respiration or open-mouth breathing. Additionally, the enlarged left atrium increases the risk of abnormal clot formation. These clots can travel to the any part of the body shutting off the blood supply. This can manifest as limb weakness or even sudden death. Diagnosing Heart Disease If a heart murmur is heard, the best test to diagnose heart disease is an echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound of the heart. It will tell if heart disease is present and will classify the type of heart disease. Sometimes, it can help determine if treatment is needed. A blood test that measures a hormone that is released in response to heart muscle stretch and stress can be used to determine if heart disease is present. The higher the hormone, the more severe the heart disease. This test cannot define what type of heart disease is present. Therefore, if it is elevated, an echocardiogram is still needed. Treating Heart Disease For most cats with heart disease, treatment is not needed initially. Sometimes, medication to prevent clots may be needed. Unfortunately, heart disease frequently gets worse with time. Once the disease progresses to congestive heart failure, treatment includes medication to remove fluid from the lungs, slow the heart rate to allow better filling of the ventricle, and relax the aorta to allow more blood to flow to the body. Early detection and diagnosis is key for managing heart disease in cats, so make sure to bring your cat in regularly to your veterinarian. How to Have a Successful Vet Visit By: Tarina L. Anthony, DVM Veterinary visits can be stressful not only on cats but on their people as well. There are several things one can do to make the visit go more smoothly for everyone involved. The movement toward decreasing stress starts at home. Make the carrier a “safe” place. Keep it out at all times and give your cat treats and catnip inside. This helps decrease the adrenaline rush that many cats receive by simply seeing the carrier. Try withholding food the morning of the appointment to see if your cat is more receptive to treats at the vet clinic. Eating treats at the clinic can not only decrease your cat’s stress but help her associate the clinic with something enjoyable. Feline pheromone spray within the carrier can also help your cat calm down during transport. Keeping the carrier covered and buckled securely in the car helps him feel more secure. If you feel your cat needs antianxiety or anti-nausea medication prior to the visit, make sure to let the veterinarian know. There are several very safe medications that can help calm a nervous cat and ease an upset stomach. When you schedule your cat’s visit, keep a few things in mind. First, make your appointment during a time that you will not be rushed. This allows time for the veterinarian to discuss everything, perform necessary diagnostics and talk to you about treatment options. A bit of waiting is inevitable at any medical office, so plan accordingly. Alert the staff to any medical concerns or special needs your cat has. For example, it’s important to know that a cat has arthritis or gets very scared so the staff can be prepared and make the visit as comfortable as possible. Before your appointment, write down any questions you have about your cat. Take a moment and think about a typical day in your feline friend’s life. Is there anything different? Are you concerned about her weight? Is he hiding more and playing less? Jot these concerns down to discuss with your veterinarian. Also take a bit of time and write down the medications your cat is taking and the current dose you are giving, as well as the brand and quantity of food, treats and supplements. This will save you time when the technician is asking questions about your cat before the doctor comes in and makes sure everyone is on the same page. It’s easy to think that the vet should have everything in the record, but doses are often changed, and it’s important to have the most current information. During the visit, the vet should explain everything that’s being done during the physical exam and also why certain procedures are being recommended. Make sure you understand and don’t be afraid to ask questions. While the vet is examining your cat, it’s important to remain calm and speak in a quiet voice. Cats can get very upset and talking gently to them can help settle their nerves. Allow the technician and the veterinarian to carefully restrain your cat. If your cat gets extremely worked up or scared at the clinic, try to keep your hands away from their face, as they will sometimes lash out at whatever is in front of them. Remember, this is because they are scared and is not a reflection on you and not an indication that your cat is “bad.” Though it’s virtually impossible to take all the stress out of the vet visit, with these tips, you can rest assured that your cat will feel much more comfortable, and you will too! Feline Herpes Virus: Frequently Asked Questions By Danielle Furphy, DVM What is Feline Herpes? Feline herpes virus (FHV-1) is one of the most common infectious diseases in cats. FHV-1 infection presents with flu-like signs (sneezing, watery eyes, nasal discharge) and irritation of eyes and/or nose. How Do Cats Get Herpes? The most common way for the herpes virus to spread is through contact with an infected cat’s eyes, nose or mouth. Cats can catch this virus by sharing litter boxes, food and water dishes with an infected cat. The virus may also be transmitted by mutual grooming and even human hands! An infected pregnant cat might also pass the virus on to kittens that are still in the womb. Some cats who become infected with feline herpes are latent carriers. Even though they will never display symptoms, they can still pass the virus on to other cats. Stress can cause these carriers to “shed” the virus and exhibit mild to moderate symptoms. Which Cats Are Prone to the Herpes Virus? Cats of all sizes, ages and breeds are susceptible to feline herpes. However, cats in crowded or stressful conditions, with weak immune systems (kittens and elderly cats included), or with concurrent illnesses often develop more severe symptoms. Can Human Beings or Dogs Catch Herpes from Cats? No. Humans and dogs are not at risk for catching feline herpes, and cats cannot catch the strains of herpes that humans carry. Each strain of the herpes virus is species-specific. How Is Feline Herpes Diagnosed? Diagnosis can be challenging, and is often based on a combination of symptoms and health history, though your vet may recommend x-rays and blood work to rule out other upper respiratory conditions. How can the virus be prevented? The virus can live in a moist environment for up to 18 hours, but is easily killed by hand washing with antibacterial hand soap and disinfectants. Keeping your cats up-to-date on their upper respiratory vaccines also helps keep their immune system healthy. How is FHV-1 treated? There are some medications and supplements available that can try to keep the virus controlled. The most common supplement that is recommended is Lysine which is an amino acid (building block of protein). There is also famcyclovir which is an anti-viral medication that has been used to help clear the virus itself. The best way to prevent reactivation of the virus is to minimize physical and mental stress for the cats. Cats suffering from an active FHV-1 infection may be given palatable food and some extra love and attention. Other great options include Feliway (kitty phermone) to calm kitty, immune boosters such as Wei Qi Booster or Rescue Remedy Pet, or even herbal supplements. When signs of active infection are present, it is recommended to have the cat seen by a veterinarian.