Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Pregnant cat with heart failure and fluid buildup
By Stoneham, Anne E et al.·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·2006·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Pregnancy-associated congestive heart failure in a cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 4-year-old pregnant Himalayan cat was brought to the vet because she was showing signs of congestive heart failure, including fluid buildup in her chest. The vet performed an emergency cesarean section, delivering four healthy kittens, and her heart failure symptoms improved quickly after the surgery. Remarkably, the mother cat remained healthy and symptom-free for nine years after the procedure. This case highlights how pregnancy can sometimes lead to heart problems in cats, but timely intervention can lead to a full recovery.
People also search for: cat congestive heart failure symptoms · pregnant cat heart problems · cesarean section for cat · Himalayan cat pregnancy issues
Abstract
A 4-year-old, late-term pregnant Himalayan queen was diagnosed with biventricular congestive heart failure characterized by pleural effusion and pulmonary edema. A cesarean section was performed, resulting in the birth of four live kittens, with one surviving to discharge. Congestive heart failure resolved rapidly following surgery. The queen remained asymptomatic for 9 years postoperatively. Volume expansion secondary to pregnancy was thought to result in cardiovascular volume overload and subsequent congestive heart failure.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17088393/