Feline heart disease: An update

Heart disease is relatively common in cats and our understanding of feline cardiomyopathy has improved considerably over the last two decades, in part as a result of the improved sophistication of non‐invasive diagnostic techniques. The incidence of feline dilated cardiomyopathy has declined markedly since the discovery of taurine deficiency as an aetiological factor and subsequent modification of commercial diets. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy now seems to be the commonest primary form and is characterised by unexplained left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction. Intermediate forms of cardiomyopathy are also recognised. Secondary cardiomyopathies are common; examples of causes include hyperthyroidism, systemic hypertension and acromegaly. Congenital cardiac disease is also well recognised and may lead to clinical signs even late in life.