What image is used more than any other when trying to display thoughts of love? the heart. That’s because this organ is the center of the life-giving flow of blood in the body and equates to the life-giving emotion love.
So, the heart is something to be protected and nurtured. This applies to our pets as well. Heart disease in the dog and cat is not uncommon. In the cat particularly, it is an important malady to watch for because cats often don’t show signs of cardiac disease until the disease is quite progressed…and very difficult to treat. Modern veterinary medicine has developed newer tools to attempt to intervene earlier in the course of feline heart disease. There are now new blood tests and, of course, x-rays, EKG’s, and echocardiograms which can help veterinarians diagnose cardiac disease in the cat. But, often times, your veterinarian can get an idea of heart disease in your cat by virtue of a simple physical exam. At that point, your vet will recommend further investigation into whatever he or she hears on your cat’s physical exam. But, this is one of the BIG reasons why it is important to bring your kitty to your veterinarian for a physical at least yearly, and semi-annually in cats over 12 years old.
And, early intervention into cardiac disease in the cat can be quite rewarding to manage. Once the diagnostic work-up is completed and your veterinarian has a good idea about the nature of the cardiac disease, there are medicines and, sometimes, diet to help your cat’s heart.
So, the next time you say you love your cat, think about your cat’s heart. Ask your veterinarian to make sure it’s healthy so your cat can love you back for a long time.
Once the diagnostic work-up is completed and your veterinarian has a good idea about the nature of the cardiac disease, there are medicines and, sometimes, diet to help your cat’s heart.
