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The way blood circulates in cats can be more complex than we think—arteriovenous fistulas create a hidden shortcut between arteries and veins. Fascinating how such tiny changes can impact feline heart health in big ways. Worth a deeper dive!
https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/cardiovascular/c_ct_arteriovenous_fistula
#CatCardiology #FelineHealth #HeartCare
https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/cardiovascular/c_ct_arteriovenous_fistula
#CatCardiology #FelineHealth #HeartCare
The way blood circulates in cats can be more complex than we think—arteriovenous fistulas create a hidden shortcut between arteries and veins. Fascinating how such tiny changes can impact feline heart health in big ways. Worth a deeper dive!
https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/cardiovascular/c_ct_arteriovenous_fistula
#CatCardiology #FelineHealth #HeartCare
,%20lung,%20liver,%20vena%20cava%20(major%20vein%20leading%20back%20to%20the%20heart),%20and%20gastrointestinal%20tract.%20Symptoms%20and%20Types%20The%20symptoms%20associated%20with%20an%20arteriovenous%20fistula%20will%20ultimately%20depend%20on%20the%20size%20and%20location%20of%20the%20fistula.%20Typically,%20there%20is%20a%20warm,%20non-painful%20at%20the%20site%20of%20the%20fistula.%20If%20the%20lesion%20is%20on%20a%20limb,%20the%20cat%20may%20display:%20Swelling%20where%20you%20can%20touch%20the%20limb%20and%20a%20fingertip%20impression%20is%20left%20in%20the%20skin%20(pitting%20edema)%20Lameness%20Ulceration%20Scabbing%20Gangrene%20(Tissue%20dies%20and%20turns%20green)Signs%20of%20congestive%20heart%20failure,%20which%20is%20often%20associated%20with%20this%20type%20of%20fistula,%20include:%20Coughing%20Difficulty%20breathing%20(dyspnea)%20Increased%20heart%20rate%20(tachypnea)%20Exercise%20intoleranceIf%20the%20arteriovenous%20fistula%20causes%20organ%20failure,%20your%20cat%20may%20display:%20Distention%20of%20the%20abdomen%20(liver)%20Seizures%20(brain)%20Weakness%20or%20paralysis%20(spinal%20cord)Causes%20Cats%20are%20rarely%20born%20with%20arteriovenous%20fistulas.%20Typically,%20they%20acquire%20the%20fistula%20due%20to%20traumatic%20damage%20to%20blood%20vessels,%20surgery%20complications,%20tumor(s),%20or%20problems%20arising%20from%20drawing%20blood%20or%20injections%20around%20the%20blood%20vessels%20(e.g.,%20barbiturates)%20Diagnosis%20You%20will%20need%20to%20give%20a%20thorough%20history%20of%20your%20cat%5Cu2019s%20health,%20including%20the%20onset%20and%20nature%20of%20the%20symptoms,%20to%20the%20veterinarian.%20He%20or%20she%20will%20then%20perform%20a%20complete%20physical%20examination%20as%20well%20as%20a%20biochemistry%20profile,%20urinalysis,%20complete%20blood%20count,%20and%20electrolyte%20panel%20to%20help%20identify%20complications%20associated%20with%20an%20arteriovenous%20fistula.%20Biochemical%20abnormalities,%20for%20example,%20may%20suggest%20liver,%20kidney%20or%20other%20organ%20dysfunction.%20Because%20arteriovenous%20fistulae%20significantly%20affect%20the%20cat's%20blood%20flow,%20thoracic%20x-rays%20may%20show%20enlargement%20of%20the%20heart%20and%20signs%20of%20over-circulation%20to%20the%20lungs.%20In%20addition,%20a%20Doppler%20ultrasound%20may%20show%20high-velocity,%20turbulent%20flow%20within%20the%20lesion.%20To%20locate%20the%20arteriovenous%20fistula,%20your%20veterinarian%20may%20employ%20an%20echocardiogram%20on%20the%20cat.%20And%20to%20outline%20the%20lesion,%20which%20may%20be%20necessary%20for%20definitive%20diagnosis%20and%20is%20highly%20desirable%20for%20presurgical%20evaluation,%20the%20veterinarian%20may%20use%20selective%20angiography%20Treatment%20Cats%20with%20clinical%20signs%20must%20undergo%20surgery%20to%20divide%20and%20remove%20abnormal%20connections%20between%20blood%20vessels.%20However,%20surgery%20can%20be%20difficult%20and%20labor-intensive%20and%20may%20require%20blood%20transfusions.%20Also,%20though%20often%20successful,%20the%20arteriovenous%20fistula%20may%20recur%20even%20after%20surgery.%20Some%20cats%20may%20even%20require%20amputation%20of%20the%20affected%20appendage.%20A%20newer%20treatment%20option%20called%20transcatheter%20embolization%20involves%20using%20a%20catheter%20to%20block%20blood%20vessels.%20This%20method%20is%20particularly%20advantageous%20because%20it%20is%20relatively%20noninvasive%20and%20provides%20access%20to%20remote%20lesions%20via%20the%20blood%20vessels.%20Living%20and%20Management%20Your%20veterinarian%20will%20want%20to%20schedule%20regular%20follow-up%20appointments%20to%20evaluate%20your%20cat,%20especially%20if%20it%20underwent%20surgery.%20This%20will%20also%20enable%20him%20or%20her%20to%20determine%20whether%20the%20arteriovenous%20fistula%20has%20recurred.%22%7D){kind=spacer}
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%20in%20Cats%22,%22inLanguage%22:%22en-US%22,%22isFamilyFriendly%22:%22True%22,%22articleSection%22:%22Cardiovascular%22,%22thumbnailUrl%22:%22%22,%22image%22:%7B%22@type%22:%22ImageObject%22,%22url%22:%22%22%7D,%22author%22:%7B%22@type%22:%22Person%22,%22name%22:%22PetMD%20Editorial%22,%22url%22:%22https:%5C/%5C/www.petmd.com%5C/author%5C/vheuer%22%7D,%22keywords%22:%22Cat,%20Condition,%20Cardiac%20health%22,%22publisher%22:%7B%22@type%22:%22Organization%22,%22name%22:%22PetMD%22,%22logo%22:%7B%22@type%22:%22ImageObject%22,%22url%22:%22https:%5C/%5C/www.petmd.com%5C/images%5C/petmd_logo.png%22%7D,%22url%22:%22https:%5C/%5C/www.petmd.com%22%7D,%22mainEntityOfPage%22:%7B%22@type%22:%22WebPage%22,%22@id%22:%22https:%5C/%5C/www.petmd.com%5C/cat%5C/conditions%5C/cardiovascular%5C/c_ct_atrial_fibrillation_atrial_flutter%22%7D,%22datePublished%22:%222009-06-08T11:17:28-04:00%22,%22dateModified%22:%222022-08-24T14:46:11-04:00%22,%22description%22:%22In%20both%20atrial%20fibrillation%20and%20atrial%20flutter%20this%20rhythm%20is%20disturbed%20and%20synchronization%20is%20lost%20between%20the%20atria%20and%20ventricles.%22,%22articleBody%22:%22Atrial%20Fibrillation%20and%20Atrial%20Flutter%20in%20Cats%20There%20are%20four%20chambers%20in%20the%20heart.%20The%20two%20top%20chambers%20are%20called%20the%20atria%20(single:%20atrium)%20whereas%20the%20bottom%20chambers%20are%20called%20the%20ventricles.%20Valves%20are%20provided%20between%20each%20atrial%20and%20ventricular%20pair,%20each%20on%20the%20left%20and%20right%20side.%20The%20valve%20between%20the%20right%20atrium%20and%20right%20ventricle%20is%20called%20the%20tricuspid%20valve,%20where%20the%20valve%20between%20the%20left%20atrium%20and%20left%20ventricle%20is%20called%20the%20mitral%20valve.%20The%20heart%20works%20with%20exceptional%20synchronization%20between%20the%20various%20atrial%20and%20ventricular%20structures,%20resulting%20in%20a%20consistent%20rhythmic%20pattern.%20In%20both%20atrial%20fibrillation%20and%20atrial%20flutter%20this%20rhythm%20is%20disturbed%20and%20synchronization%20is%20lost%20between%20the%20atria%20and%20ventricles.%20Both%20conditions%20refer%20to%20a%20rhythm%20problem%20that%20originates%20in%20the%20upper%20chambers%20of%20the%20heart,%20that%20is,%20the%20atria.%20Atrial%20flutter%20is%20often%20a%20precursor%20to%20atrial%20fibrillation.%20In%20atrial%20flutter%20there%20is%20a%20premature%20electrical%20impulse%20that%20arises%20in%20the%20atria,%20resulting%20in%20a%20faster%20than%20normal%20heart%20rate,%20either%20regular%20or%20irregular%20in%20frequency,%20whereas%20in%20atrial%20fibrillation%20there%20is%20quivering%20type%20of%20contraction%20of%20the%20heart%20muscles,%20resulting%20in%20a%20rapid%20and%20abnormally%20paced%20heart%20rhythm,%20also%20referred%20to%20as%20arrhythmia.%20In%20atrial%20fibrillation%20the%20atria%20beat%20chaotically,%20resulting%20in%20irregular%20rhythms%20of%20the%20ventricle%20as%20well.%20On%20an%20electrocardiogram%20(ECG),%20which%20measures%20the%20electrical%20activity%20of%20the%20heart,%20a%20distinct%20pattern%20can%20be%20differentiated%20in%20atrial%20fibrillation%20and%20atrial%20flutter.%20Older%20male%20cats%20have%20been%20found%20to%20be%20more%20susceptible%20to%20this%20condition.%20Symptoms%20and%20Types%20Atrial%20fibrillation%20is%20categorized%20by%20relevance,%20including:%20Primary%20atrial%20fibrillation%20No%20underlying%20cardiac%20disease%20involved%20%5Cu2013%20cause%20not%20identified%20Secondary%20atrial%20fibrillation%20Severe%20underlying%20cardiac%20disease%20like%20CHF%20is%20usually%20involved%20Paroxysmal%20atrial%20fibrillation%20Periodic,%20recurrent%20episodes,%20which%20last%20for%20a%20short%20period%20of%20time%20(less%20than%20seven%20days),%20with%20the%20heart%20returning%20to%20its%20normal%20rhythm%20on%20its%20own%20Persistent%20atrial%20fibrillation%20Arrhythmia%20lasts%20for%20more%20than%2048%20hours,%20only%20responds%20to%20treatment%20Permanent%20atrial%20fibrillation%20Ongoing%20arrhythmia,%20cannot%20be%20treated%20The%20symptoms%20generally%20relate%20to%20an%20underlying%20disease%20like%20congestive%20heart%20failure%20(CHF).%20Following%20are%20few%20of%20the%20symptoms%20related%20to%20atrial%20fibrillation.%20Galloping%20heart%20Exercise%20intolerance%20Weakness%20Cough%20Dyspnea%20(Difficult%20breathing)%20Tachypnea%20(Rapid%20respiratory%20rate)%20Lethargy%20Syncope%5C/Loss%20of%20consciousness%20(rare)%20Causes%20Chronic%20disease%20of%20the%20heart%20involving%20the%20valves%20Enlargement%20of%20the%20heart%20Cardiomyopathy%20(heart%20muscle%20disease)%20Congenital%20heart%20disease%20Neoplasia%20Digoxin%20(drug%20commonly%20used%20to%20treat%20various%20heart%20diseases)%20toxicity%20As%20a%20sequel%20congestive%20heart%20failure%20(CHF)%20Cause%20may%20remain%20unknown%20Diagnosis%20After%20taking%20a%20detailed%20history%20of%20your%20cat%5Cu2019s%20health,%20onset%20of%20symptoms,%20and%20possible%20incidents%20that%20might%20have%20preceded%20this%20condition,%20your%20veterinarian%20will%20perform%20a%20complete%20physical%20examination.%20Laboratory%20tests%20will%20include%20complete%20blood%20tests,%20a%20biochemical%20profile,%20and%20urinalysis.%20It%20is%20possible%20that%20the%20results%20of%20these%20tests%20may%20not%20reveal%20much%20information%20related%20to%20this%20disease,%20but%20they%20may%20be%20helpful%20for%20accessing%20an%20overall%20picture%20of%20your%20cat%5Cu2019s%20health%20and%20reveal%20other%20diseases,%20if%20present.%20Additional%20diagnostic%20tools%20include%20echocardiography%20(ECG),%20X-ray%20imaging,%20and%20color%20Doppler%20to%20help%20in%20characterizing%20the%20type%20and%20severity%20of%20any%20underlying%20heart%20disease.%20Treatment%20Your%20veterinarian%20will%20first%20diagnose%20the%20level%20of%20flutter%20or%20fibrillation%20your%20cat%20is%20experiencing,%20and%20whether%20there%20is%20an%20underlying%20disease%20of%20the%20heart,%20such%20as%20CHF,%20that%20is%20responsible%20for%20the%20atrial%20arrhythmia.%20If%20the%20heart%20is%20beating%20too%20rapidly,%20your%20cat%20will%20be%20treated%20medically%20for%20the%20rhythm%20to%20be%20slowed%20down.%20If%20no%20underlying%20disease%20is%20found%20to%20be%20present,%20the%20treatment%20will%20be%20directed%20towards%20normalizing%20the%20rhythm%20of%20heart%20and%20getting%20the%20sinoatrial%20node%20back%20into%20sync%20with%20the%20atrioventricular%20node%20(AV)%20node.%20If%20the%20fibrillation%20is%20a%20chronic%20problem%20(more%20than%20four%20months),%20the%20success%20rate%20drops%20accordingly.%20Electrical%20shock%20therapy%20may%20be%20used%20to%20normalize%20the%20rhythm%20is%20some%20cases.%20If%20an%20underlying%20cardiac%20disease%20like%20CHF%20is%20present,%20the%20treatment%20will%20also%20be%20directed%20towards%20its%20treatment,%20along%20with%20stabilizing%20the%20heart%20rhythm.%20Living%20and%20Management%20Follow%20your%20veterinarian%5Cu2019s%20guidelines%20regarding%20diet,%20exercise,%20rest,%20medication,%20and%20management%20of%20your%20cat%20at%20home.%20In%20cases%20of%20primary%20atrial%20fibrillation,%20recurrence%20can%20occur,%20especially%20in%20patients%20with%20chronic%20problems.%20Observe%20your%20cat%5Cu2019s%20health%20and%20call%20your%20veterinarian%20if%20you%20notice%20any%20symptoms%20that%20appear%20abnormal.%20In%20cases%20of%20severe%20cardiac%20diseases%20like%20CHF,%20a%20high%20level%20of%20commitment%20and%20care%20will%20be%20required%20on%20your%20part%20for%20the%20treatment%20and%20management%20of%20your%20cat%5Cu2019s%20home%20care.%20Keeping%20a%20diary%20of%20all%20events%20and%20staying%20in%20touch%20with%20your%20veterinarian%20throughout%20treatment%20period%20will%20help%20you%20to%20follow%20your%20cat%5Cu2019s%20progress.%20%22%7D){kind=logo}
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