Cat Illnesses - Feline Cardiomyopathy

Feline cardiomyopathy is the most common of the cat illnesses that affect the cat's heart. It can be caused by a deficiency in the amino acid taurine, although modern cat food contains enough to prevent this. Other causes are hyperthyroidism and genetic predisposition.

There are two feline cardiomyopathy cat illnesses : one where the heart muscle is too thick, the other where it is too thin. Whichever a cat has, its heart will not work properly. A cat suffering from the condition will be lethargic and have laboured breathing. Due to the high risk of blood clots forming and causing a blockage where the aorta meets the main vessels supplying the rear legs, a cat may experience severe sudden pain and paralysis of the rear legs.

Treatment of feline cardiomyopathy, like a number of cat illnesses, will not produce a cure. Instead it is aimed at prolonging the cat's life and improving its standard of life. A vet will recommend the most appropriate treatment after a thorough examination.