Biochemical Testing for Feline Heart Disease

Zimmering, T. M., F. Meneses, et al. (2009). "Measurement of N-terminal proatrial natriuretic peptide in plasma of cats with and without cardiomyopathy." American Journal of Veterinary Research 70(2): 216-222.

Nt-proANP is a natriuretic peptide produced in the cardiac muscle cells of the atria. In humans, ANP concentrations are used to distinguish people with chronic heart failure and monitor progression of the disease, survivability, and the efficacy of cardiac interventions. Two recent studies in cats indicated that plasma ANP concentrations were higher in cats with cardiomyopathy (CM) than in healthy cats. This study looked at 43 cats that were divided into three groups: control cats, cats with cardiomyopathy without congestive heart failure (CM without CHF), and cats with cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure (CM with CHF). All cats had a physical examination, assessment of clinicopathologic variables that included plasma thyroxine concentration, thoracic radiography, and echocardiography. Each cat was assigned to one of the three groups based on results of these findings. A blood sample was taken from all 43 cats for a plasma Nt-proANP concentration using a human ELISA test kit. The first goal of the study was to determine whether Nt-proANP concentrations in cats with CM differ from concentrations in healthy cats. A second goal was to determine if there was a difference in values between cats with CM and no CHF from those cats that had CM with CHF. The results showed significant difference in Nt-proANP concentrations between the control cats that were healthy and the group with CM without CHF. The values were much higher in those cats assessed with CM only. The cats with CM with CHF had even significantly higher concentrations of Nt-proANP than the elevated values noted for the cats with CM and no CHF. Nt-proANP measurement could aid in the assessment of cats with cardiomyopathy and might be useful as a screening marker for the disease. The assay also has the potential for distinguishing between cats with CM without CHF and cats with CM and CHF. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Connolly, D. J., R. J. Soares Magalhaes, et al. (2008). "Circulating natriuretic peptides in cats with heart disease." J Vet Intern Med 22(1): 96-105.
>> PubMed Abstract

Biondo, A. W., E. J. Ehrhart, et al. (2003). "Immunohistochemistry of atrial and brain natriuretic peptides in control cats and cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy." Vet Pathol 40(5): 501-6.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

My cat had an eye removed to years ago. Since last July, we’ve noticed that he’s…

I am sorry to hear about your cat. One of my first concerns in a cat with acute blindness is high blood pressure. If a cat's blood pressure gets too high, the back of their eye can unattach and blindness occurs. A blood pressure can be easily checked and then treated if needed. I would also be concerned about glaucoma (an increased pressure) in the eye. While more unusual in cats, it could also cause blindness. The good news is it is also easy to test for and can be treated as well. If these all look good, a brain tumor is on the short list of possibilities, depending on your cat's age and other symptoms. The hard part is the diagnosis for this is usually done by CT scan or MRI. I would also throw out there that some brain tumors are treated fairly easily by surgery. Hope this helps and good luck with this.

I recently read in our local newspaper that the three year rabies vaccine for cats can…

Good for your paper for covering this information. I applaud getting information out there but it sounds like it may have had a little bit of scare tactics to it. I absolutely encourage you to talk to your veterinarian about this and believe everyone should talk to their veterinarian about vaccines and what is appropriate at every annual exam. Each veterinarian and each clinic may have their own thoughts and protocol on vaccines and it is important you understand their procedures and are comfortable with them.

I could write pages on vaccines but will try to give you the short scoop on things. Many many years ago, we began to see some strange tumors called fibrosarcomas in the area where cats were getting their vaccines (at that time between the shoulder blades). These tumors did not tend to spread but were very aggressive where they started and were very difficult to remove. It was very puzzling because some of the tumors were starting many years after a vaccine was given. To be honest, it was a very scary and concerning time. After this, veterinarians began to rethink vaccines. The location of where the vaccine was given was changed from the scruff of the neck to low on the legs and each vaccine was given in a separate leg. We also began to rethink what vaccines were given and which were absolutely necessary. Lots of research was also done to try to figure out why this was happening. It was fairly rare for these tumors to happen but they were still alarming when they did.

There's still a lot we don't know about these tumors, now called vaccine associated sarcomas (VAS). But there's a lot we've learned. A part of the vaccine has been implicated called the adjuvant. This is an additive that causes local immune stimulation where the vaccine is given. Some vaccines have adjuvants and some do not. It is important to note that many cats have gotten adjuvanted vaccines and had absolutely no side effects. So its not a black and white issue. Giving combined vaccines has also been implicated. There may also be a genetic component for some cats to make them more prone to this. Cats can also get a fibrosarcomas that are unrelated to vaccines as well.

So where does this leave things now? I am happy to say (knock on wood), that I have not seen a vaccine associated sarcoma in a long time! I also tend to follow the guidelines set by the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) regarding vaccines in my patients. You can find these guidelines online. These guidelines divide vaccines into core (necessary) and non-core (recommended for specific populations of cats like those that go outdoors). The one year rabies vaccine I believe the article referred to is a non-adjuvanted rabies vaccine just for cats and is used by many veterinarians. Like you mentioned, there is also thought that our vaccines may last longer than a year or three years but unfortunately we don't have a lot of studies to confirm that yet. Some labs can run blood samples to check your cat's immunity towards some of these viruses but this can be expensive and doesn't 100% confirm total immunity.

So vaccines are not as simple as they used to be but I stress they should be a part of your cat's preventative health. It is important to find what vaccines are right for your cat and be an informed owner. Ask lots of questions of your veterinarian and find a protocol you are comfortable with!

I recently read in our local newspaper that the three year rabies vaccine for cats can…

I recently read in our local newspaper that the three year rabies vaccine for cats can cause a deadly cancerous tumor at the injection site. The article said owners should tell their vet to give the cat a one year rabies vaccine because it does not have a chemical added to it. The article also said that there is talk that cats do not need to get vaccinated every year that the vaccines last the life of the animal. Is there any truth to these things? I plan on asking my vet at my ca's annual checkup.

Do cats get migraine headaches?

Since cats can't tell us, we are unsure if cats get migraines or headaches at all. I do think it is certainly possible though. If your cat is showing signs of distress or illness, rather than assuming its a headache it may not be a bad idea to have him or her checked out as it could also be many other things.

My cat walked across my hot stove before I could get to her. I know she burnt her front…

There are no over the counter pain treatments for cats and you should never use any human medications on your cat without talking to your veterinarian. I would encourage you to visit your veterinarian as some burns can become infected or need care. At home though, check the area once to twice daily and keep it clean by using lukewarm water. I would be hesitant to put any ointments on it as your cat would likely lick it off and could cause her paw to become more irritated in the process. It may be helpful to switch to a litter like the newspaper pellets for a few days to help prevent litter from sticking to her wound.

My 3 year old male neutered cat has very cold feet and ears. Can cats have PAD? He is…

We do not have documented peripheral artery disease (PAD) in cats although we do see some other forms of heart disease. Most likely, his cold feet and ears, body condition and lower activity are normal for him but if you have concerns, it would not be a bad idea to have your veterinarian examine him. They can check his pulses, take his temperature and assess his weight as part of his physical exam just to be sure all is well.

I want to get a kitten and know the basics, but I was reading the website and I noticed…

Because kittens have a unique growth pattern, the first year is critical in their development. Research shows that a kitten grows from infancy to young adulthood in approximately one year. During its first 20 weeks a kitten can have a 2,000 percent increase over its birth weight. At 26 weeks of age, the growth rate starts to level off. However, kittens continue to develop inside, with normal growth ending at about one year of age. Kittens also require about twice the energy per pound of body weight as a mature cat.

Their rapid growth and high energy requirements present a special nutritional need. That is why Purina Kitten Chow brand Kitten Food is recommended for the kitten's first year of growth and development. It provides the extra protein, calcium, phosphorus and other nutrients to help ensure the healthy, normal growth of kittens.

Kittens have very small stomachs. Therefore, they tend to be "occasional eaters" and consume a large number of small meals. For these reasons, it is probably a good idea to make sure that your kitten has food available at all times. Usually, kittens will eat a small amount of food, then leave and return at intervals throughout the day to eat. As many people aren't around to monitor their kitten's eating, you may wish to measure the dry food into your kitten's bowl and leave it for the day. Dry food will remain fresh in the bowl for the whole day.

My female cat, Teva is seven years old and seems to be very content and happy. I keep her…

Teva has trained you to respond to her productivity, and you’ve trained her to continue the behavior. Meowing after relieving herself has become a ritual, and when you speak to her, you reinforce this habit by giving her the attention she wants.

You can stop the behavior simply by ignoring it. But it will probably get worse before it gets better. And will take quite a bit of time before the habit goes away, especially if this has gone on for seven years or so. Be aware that the longer you allow her to meow and THEN finally talk to her; you’ve taught her that she can get attention the longer she meows.

I have two cats, a three-year-old tuxedo male (named Scamper) and a year-old orange tiger…

Feeding them separately probably isn’t a bad idea, or simply add a second feeding station on each side of the room. You may need to learn how to play with both cats at the same time. Try using a fishing pole style toy in each hand, so that both Scamper and Maizee can chase on opposite sides of you. Or use two flashlight beams at the same time. Also, you can establish a routine so that each cat knows the time and place s/he can expect one-on-one attention. Kitties are creatures of habit and once Maizee gets into the routine and knows she won’t be left out, she’ll become less likely to butt into Scamper’s time.