Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Step1
Keep an eye on your cat and watch for abnormal behavior. Notice if his eating or bathroom habits change significantly. Any noticeable changes in weight, either loss or gain, or abdominal distension can be indicators of heart disease.
Step2
Watch for exercise intolerance. This occurs when your cat runs for just a little while and then starts breathing heavily and has to lie down. Any type of exertion causes exhaustion in a cat with heart disease.
Step3
Pay attention if your cat starts coughing, especially if it is low-pitched and they cough to the point of gagging.
Step4
Take immediate action if you notice your cat has lost the use of her back legs. This may indicate a clot that prevents blood from getting to the back legs. If the legs are cold to the touch, turning blue or if the pads on the paws turn blue, take the cat to the veterinarian immediately.
Step5
Diagnose heart disease by having a veterinarian take X-Rays, ECGs, ultrasounds or blood tests along with a physical examination of your cat. These tests are the only way to definitively diagnose heart disease.