Feline Aortic Stenosis: Vet Guide 2025 🐱💓🔍

Hello, amazing cat caregivers! I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc 🩺. Today we’re exploring **aortic stenosis**—a congenital narrowing of the aortic valve in cats. We'll go through causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, management, prognosis, and home care—all with caring emoji support 🐾✨.

🔍 What Is Aortic Stenosis?

Aortic stenosis is a congenital condition where the **aortic valve or the area below it (subvalvular)** narrows, forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood 💓. It's rare in cats, but important to recognize early :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.

🧬 Causes & Risk Factors

• **Congenital defect**—present at birth, may appear after 6–12 months as murmurs develop :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
• Types include:
  • Valvular (fusion of valve leaflets)
  • Subvalvular (fibrous ring below valve)
• Rare—0.028% in shelter cats; second most common congenital heart disease in cats :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.

👂 Clinical Signs to Watch For

• Often no obvious symptoms—detected via routine **heart murmur** check 🩻 :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
• Moderate–severe cases show:
  • 🐾 Lethargy or exercise intolerance
  • 💨 Labored breathing or fainting episodes (syncope)
  • 🚨 Coughing or open‑mouth breathing—signs of heart failure :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

🩺 Screening & Diagnosis

• **Physical exam & auscultation:** Murmur heard over left heart base :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
• **Chest X-rays:** May show left ventricle enlargement or aortic root bulge in severe cases :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
• **ECG:** Often normal, but arrhythmias or hypertrophy signs possible :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
• **Echocardiogram (Echo):** Gold standard—reveals fibrous bands, valve abnormalities, Doppler turbulence, and measures pressure gradient :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
• **Blood tests:** Usually normal, but establish baselines before meds :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.

⚖️ Classification: Mild vs. Severe

**Severity is gauged by echocardiographic pressure gradient**:

• **Mild:** low gradient, often normal lifespan without intervention :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
• **Moderate/Severe:** high gradient correlates with sudden death risk—needs close monitoring :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.

🏥 Management & Treatment

✅ Mild Cases

• No medication—monitor regularly with echo every 6–12 months.
• Low‑sodium diet & activity moderation :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
• Avoid breeding affected cats :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.

⚠️ Moderate/Severe Cases

• **Beta-blockers** (e.g., atenolol): reduce heart rate and workload, though feline-specific data is limited :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.
• Hospitalization for symptomatic stabilization (fluid control, oxygen) :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.
• Antibiotics in some cases to prevent endocarditis :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}.
• **Balloon valvuloplasty or surgical repair**: Rarely performed in cats—with unclear benefits :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}.

📊 Prognosis & Follow‑Up

• **Mild:** Excellent, often normal lifespan :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}.
• **Severe:** High risk of sudden death within a year; prognosis based on pressure gradient & heart function :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}.
• Follow‑up: Echo every 6 months, more frequent if worsening.

🏡 Home Care Tips

• Keep your cat calm—limit stress & strenuous activity 🧘‍♀️.
• Ensure access to fresh water & balanced diet (low sodium).
• Watch for signs: difficulty breathing, weakness, fainting—respond promptly.
• Use **Ask A Vet app** 📱 for vet advice, medication reminders, and symptom tracking.
• Supportive products from **Woopf & Purrz**—nutritional bowls, calming aids, cozy resting spots.

📝 Key Takeaways

• Aortic stenosis is rare but serious—most often congenital.
• Murmur detection is critical—echo confirms diagnosis & severity.
• Mild cases: lifestyle management; moderate/severe: medication & monitoring.
• Surgical options are rare in cats, with unclear outcomes.
• Home care, regular check-ups, and support tools improve quality of life.
• Don’t breed affected cats to reduce inherited risk.

📞 When to Contact Ask A Vet

If your cat shows breathing difficulty, collapse, coughing, lethargy, or fainting, reach out immediately through the Ask A Vet app 💬—early responses are lifesaving.

✨ Final Thoughts

Though feline aortic stenosis is uncommon, proactive pet care combined with veterinary expertise, modern meds, and home monitoring can help your cat have a stable and comfortable life 🐾❤️. With Ask A Vet, Woopf & Purrz guiding each step, you're never alone in this journey.