More questions than answers about heart arrhythmia in my senior cat

[dianajune]

I just got off the phone with his vet and asked a bunch of questions I asked if an injury could have caused this and she said no, that would be unlikely. I asked her this because he fell from our window sill a couple of times recently. I heard the noise but wasn't facing him, so I don't know if he simply missed his step down to the table in front of the window, or got dizzy, etc. Another time he fell (this was several years ago in our other apartment) from a his perch that my brother bought for him (the one that attaches with suction cups). One day it collapsed while he was on it but he seemed ok.

She did tell me that she consulted with a pet cardiologist who said the chances of this issue having a serious impact on his health are low, which is good. But one huge question remains: what caused this?

She said she didn't know. With all the tests he's had - bloodwork, EKG and ECHO - how could they not know the underlying cause? The EKG showed the abnormal heart rhythm (APC or PAC, i think) but the ECHO was normal.

Perhaps I'm worried for no reason. I just want to stay on top of this because I love him to pieces. His vet told me he has a good life with me but I just want to make sure nothing happens to him.

What are your thought?s Thank you.

 

[silent meowlook]

Hi. Was the echo done by a specialist? There is a blood test called a BNP that can give insight into cardiac function by checking a heart enzyme level. Has that been done?

 

[catdad61]

Having spent my 30 year career in EMS, 25 as a medic, my knowledge is based on humans. Being mammals, thankfully the way the heart works in both of our species is similar. I know that a PAC is 'premature atrial contraction' but I had to google APC. It's the same thing.
I found this information on the web, it may explain some things: APC's in cats
EKG's can only 'see' the electrical activity in the heart, not the mechanical operation. Similar to using a seismograph to measure earthquakes. You see the effect on a graph but not the cause.
Bloodwork will show chemical imbalances that may affect heart rhythms, IF that's the cause.
ECHO's will show the shape, size and mechanical operation of the heart but not the electrical activity of it.
As for a cause, there are too many possibilities to narrow it down to one. It could be genetics, lifestyle, environment or illness acquired. And that's just a few of the causes that we know of.

 

[dianajune]

Hi. Was the echo done by a specialist? There is a blood test called a BNP that can give insight into cardiac function by checking a heart enzyme level. Has that been done?

Pumpkin's heart tests were performed by a regular vet who has been trained to do them and then he consulted with a pet cardiologist about the results. My cat's regular vet did not do these tests because at the time, her office didn't have the equipment to do this. It's my understanding that their office can now do echos.

So, both his regular vet and the one who did the tests consulted with a pet cardiologist about the results.

His regular vet ran a lot of bloodwork which all came back normal, including his thyroid. I don't know if they did BNP or not.

Pumpkin is fine now. I just want to make sure I stay on top of this.

 

[dianajune]

Having spent my 30 year career in EMS, 25 as a medic, my knowledge is based on humans. Being mammals, thankfully the way the heart works in both of our species is similar. I know that a PAC is 'premature atrial contraction' but I had to google APC. It's the same thing.
I found this information on the web, it may explain some things: APC's in cats
EKG's can only 'see' the electrical activity in the heart, not the mechanical operation. Similar to using a seismograph to measure earthquakes. You see the effect on a graph but not the cause.
Bloodwork will show chemical imbalances that may affect heart rhythms, IF that's the cause.
ECHO's will show the shape, size and mechanical operation of the heart but not the electrical activity of it.
As for a cause, there are too many possibilities to narrow it down to one. It could be genetics, lifestyle, environment or illness acquired. And that's just a few of the causes that we know of.

I feel like calling his vet back and ask if there are any more tests they can run. She would most likely have suggested more if she thought it was necessary.

One thought occurred to me not long ago. I had Covid in May 2022 and had it again just before Christmas this year. I tested positive on Dec. 8th and already tested negative 10 days later. I wonder if my having Covid could have affected him? The first time around - before he had his heart tests - was the worst. I was sick for almost three weeks.

What I'm trying to say is can cats catch Covid from humans? Covid can cause heart issues.

 

[dianajune]

Hi. Was the echo done by a specialist? There is a blood test called a BNP that can give insight into cardiac function by checking a heart enzyme level. Has that been done?

I hunted for the paperwork that the vet gave me and found it. Here are two screenshots. They did alot and everything was within normal limits. If you or anyone else has any thoughts on this bloodwork, please let me know. Thanks!

 

[dianajune]

I'm trying to understand all the different parts of this blood work but it's not easy The one result i found interesting was BUN, which would assess kidney function. If Pumpkin's kidneys aren't working properly this could have an impact on his heart rhythm. 35 is at the top end of the normal limit.

Is there any other blood work or tests I can have done for him? Thanks.

 

[silent meowlook]

Hi. The BUN is still in the normal range. It can be elevated with dehydration. But, care must always be taken giving iv or subcutaneous fluids to a cat with a suspect heart condition. The BUN is ok. It is still in range.

 

[silent meowlook]

I am not a vet, so I am just speculating here. Of course address any concerns with your vet.

 

[dianajune]

I am not a vet, so I am just speculating here. Of course address any concerns with your vet.

I appreciate your input. Thank you!

I'd still like to get to the bottom of this for Pumpkin's sake. It's kind of like with my health problems. I like to know why something is wrong, like when I get panic attacks, IBS flares, etc. I'd hate to bother his vet again with more questions but I believe that if they thought more tests were a good idea, she would have told me and so would the other vet who did the heart tests.

I have no idea how long this has been going on. It's been a little over a year or so since this was first noticed by his vet.

 

[dianajune]

I had another conversation with his vet a little while ago. The heart rhythm problem was first noticed by them in February of this year. I thought it was a few months before that. Now I'm beginning to wonder if something with his g.i. tract could be going on. She also said cancer is another possibility. But at least he's holding his own, weight wise. He gained a little less than 1/4 of a pound between his appt with the heart tests and the one last month with his vet. She said this heart rhythm problem doesn't seem to bother him.

For now I can keep feeding him what he likes - Purina Indoor Variety dry food, which is good for hairballs. He's got tons of Purina Kitten Chow but a diet high in protein like the kitten chow wouldn't be good for him if has kidney issues. He hasn't been diagnosed with that yet. I'm still concerned that his BUN test was on the high end of normal. Oddly enough, the kitten chow used to be his favourite dry food and not he's turning his nose up at it.

Perhaps I'm being a helicopter mommy and am worried too much. I want to keep him going as long as possible. I'm trying to keep myself going as long as possible too but have many health problems. I don't want to orphan him. I woke up with a really bad IBS flare this morning and a panic attack at the same time. I would have called 911 but it stopped not long after it began.

Not long after that started, Pumpkin came out to the living room to check on me. He knows when I'm not feeling well. It's breaking my heart that something really bad might be going on. What that is, I don't know. He's going for another weight check next month, at which point we will decide what to do next. Please pray for us both. I am grateful for the support so many people on this site have given me (and him too). Thank you!