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Step 1
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.
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Step 2
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.
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Step 3
Pay attention if your cat starts coughing, especially if it is low-pitched and they cough to the point of gagging.
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Step 4
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.
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Step 5
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.
Comments
jull14 said
on 7/9/2009 Excellent article. To me it is very important to read articles at ehow specially yours, because I learned each day a new idea to make my life easier, thanks for writing this wonderful article. Keep up the good work.