Valvular heart disease (VHD) is a disease caused by damage and thickening of the heart valves in cats. In order to understand the effects of this disease, we must first understand the anatomy of the cat's heart.

A cat's heart is a pump with four chambers and composed of muscles, just like the human heart. The function of the heart valve is to keep blood flowing in the right direction. Under normal circumstances, blood flows first to the atrium, the pump-activating device. The atria then contract, pumping blood into the ventricles, which act like pumps. Only when the blood flow maintains this direction can the heart function as a normal pump. However, once you suffer from valvular heart disease, the valves between the atria and ventricles will undergo degenerative changes, causing the valves to become thicker and deformed. As a result, when the valve closes, the edges cannot seal completely, and a small amount of blood leaks from the ventricle into the atrium with each heartbeat. To compensate for the atretic valve, the heart must pump out more blood with each beat, causing the heart to gradually enlarge. This extra workload causes the heart to weaken and become unable to maintain the body's demands for blood flow. When the heart cannot supply the blood the body needs, this phenomenon is called congestive heart failure.

Symptoms

Unfortunately, in the early stages of heart disease, your cat's body may make adjustments that allow it to adapt to the disease. At this stage, cats may not show obvious symptoms.

As time passes and the condition continues to progress, you may notice the following symptoms:

Cough

Difficulty breathing

Tired after moderate exercise

Faint

Pale gums

Loss of appetite

Diagnosis and Treatment

Your veterinarian will perform a very detailed physical examination, including auscultation of your pet's heart, and may also recommend the following tests to help diagnose your cat's condition.

X-ray examination

Blood test for a cardiac biomarker "N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic hormone" (NTproBNP)

Biochemical testing and hematology testing (CBC) to assess your pet’s overall health

Blood pressure detection

Electrocardiogram, recording the potential activity of the pet’s heart

Cardiac Ultrasound

If your cat is diagnosed with valvular heart disease, your veterinarian may recommend the following treatments:

Nutritional treatment, such as a low-sodium diet

Use diuretics to remove excess fluid from the body

Daily routineBut controlled movement

If the condition is more serious, medication will also be used

Prevention

Unfortunately, valvular heart disease is a progressive disease that cannot be prevented. But having your cat checked regularly by your veterinarian can help detect heart problems such as valvular heart disease early.