Why Heart Disease Is Found Late
Pets cannot tell us they feel tired or short of breath — and cats in particular are experts at hiding illness. Many cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) show no clear signs until the disease is advanced, while small senior dogs commonly develop degenerative valve disease.
Signs to Watch for at Home
- Sleeping breathing rate: normally below roughly 30 breaths per minute. If it stays consistently higher, consult a veterinarian.
- Tiring easily, playing less, or resting unusually often
- A dry cough, especially at night or after waking (more common in dogs)
- Fainting or briefly collapsing during exertion
- A cat breathing open-mouthed or rapidly at rest is an emergency — come to the hospital immediately.
How Heart Disease Is Diagnosed
The core work-up is a chest X-ray to assess heart size and the lungs, combined with an echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) to evaluate the heart muscle and valve function. Both are available in-house at our hospital without referral — see our diagnostic imaging services for details and prices.
A Real Case: A Cat with HCM
Our team once treated a cat in acute heart failure from HCM who arrived overnight as an emergency and was stabilized in time. Read the details in this HCM emergency case study.
Found Early, Managed Better
Many heart conditions can be managed well when caught early. Annual health checks — especially for predisposed cat breeds and senior dogs — help detect changes before symptoms appear. See our annual health check programs, or if your pet shows emergency signs, call us anytime via our 24-hour emergency service.