Dooley at the emergency vet

[John Popp]

Hi Patti, the difference here as it was described by the vet is that his heart is physically large, but doesn't show symptoms of an enlarged heart such as rounded corners, whatever she meant by that. As it was explained to me, the ideal size is done by a series of measurements by the radiologist, while the structure of the heart looked to be fine. So as mentioned before, should a Savannah have a proportionally larger or smaller heart or liver than a regular domestic cat? I don't know.

The heart being large was simply part of the radiologists report, just as the liver being mentioned as small, but neither of the organs physical size was deemed to be an issue by the Vet. She was much more concerned about function, and her opinion in the modest differences in organ sizes were attributable to the breed.

Also, while I couldn't find heart info on servals, I was able to find some data on cheetahs who have proportionally larger hearts than domestic cats. So given the build of servals and cheetahs being similar, and the fastest two cat species, I would guess they share some of the same attributes in heart size.

 

[DChap]

Hi Patti, the difference here as it was described by the vet is that his heart is physically large, but doesn't show symptoms of an enlarged heart such as rounded corners, whatever she meant by that. As it was explained to me, the ideal size is done by a series of measurements by the radiologist, while the structure of the heart looked to be fine. So as mentioned before, should a Savannah have a proportionally larger or smaller heart or liver than a regular domestic cat? I don't know.

The heart being large was simply part of the radiologists report, just as the liver being mentioned as small, but neither of the organs physical size was deemed to be an issue by the Vet. She was much more concerned about function, and her opinion in the modest differences in organ sizes were attributable to the breed.

Also, while I couldn't find heart info on servals, I was able to find some data on cheetahs who have proportionally larger hearts than domestic cats. So given the build of servals and cheetahs being similar, and the fastest two cat species, I would guess they share some of the same attributes in heart size.

John, Kinaya has always been quite a panter from day one especially during and after playing. We had X-rays done and had the exact same report- physically large heart and smal liver with slight signs of asthmatic changes. They were not concerned though. Her echo came back fine although the cardiologist said her heart is a little differently formed it functions normally and she suggested repeating echo in a year or so if her panting continued. She also saw small asthmatic changes so we contribute her panting to that. She's never had an episode of truly difficult breathing that we've seen. She literally plops down and pants away when she gets tired. She's not a super active cat. Almost rather lazy but she does get spurts of tearing it up with Matojo at times. So for her we are just monitoring and I have lately been diffusing some essential oils recommended. So far she has been more affectionate to me so I'm loving that .

 

[Eddies]

sent your way...

 

[Patti]

The key here is the phrase 'proportionately larger'. For instance, if you look at a human chest x-ray the heart should structurally take up half of the width of the chest cavity - in a 5ft 90lb lady the heart will obviously appear smaller than a 6'4" 280lbs man - but - looking at a chest x-ray both hearts should still take up approximately half of the width of the chest cavity. So if a vet (or doc) says the heart looks larger than would be expected, to me he/she is saying that the heart is larger than these proportions, which isn't normal. Perhaps this is not what the vet radiologist was not actually saying, but sure sounds like it to me...

 

[John Popp]

Thanks for sharing Della! My guess is that if the asthma condition was worse, the radiologist wouldn't be spending time measuring hearts and livers. Likewise when I read of how a cheetahs anatomy is put together, how they function in the wild I can draw lots of parallels to how a serval's body is put together for its tasks in the wild. Attacking prey in short bursts with loads of speed and in the serval's case, add in great leaping ability.

What they give up being engineered for short burst attacks is the ability to chase prey for long durations. They lack the bulk to efficiently keep cool, add in some low grade asthma and you end up with the symptoms that is causing us concern.

Anyway, that's my takeaway for the moment and we should definitely keep in touch as these two seemingly have a lot in common.

 

[John Popp]

The key here is the phrase 'proportionately larger'. For instance, if you look at a human chest x-ray the heart should structurally take up half of the width of the chest cavity - in a 5ft 90lb lady the heart will obviously appear smaller than a 6'4" 280lbs man - but - looking at a chest x-ray both hearts should still take up approximately half of the width of the chest cavity. So if a vet (or doc) says the heart looks larger than would be expected, to me he/she is saying that the heart is larger than these proportions, which isn't normal. Perhaps this is not what the vet radiologist was not actually saying, but sure sounds like it to me...

What my vet said concerning this is we don't know what's species appropriate for the breed of cat. I didn't have success finding any scholarly articles on Serval heart size, but I was pretty easily able to find articles on cheetahs which stated they have proportionately larger hearts than felis catus. I'd also guess there are differences in the shape of a chest cavity between a domestic cat and a serval.

 

[John Popp]

Just wanted to update this as Dooley had another trip to the emergency clinic yesterday. This whole episode it seems has been created by essential peppermint oil found in the Orbee tough nooks product.

Here is some data I found which mirror Dooley's symptoms.

When Cats Sniff Peppermint
That minty fresh smell that makes you feel clean and tingly won't have the same pleasant effects on your feline friends. Cats' nervous systems are especially sensitive to peppermint oil, such as an essential oil. If your kitty gets a nose of mint oil, she could contract aspiration pneumonia. Symptoms include fever, fast or labored breathing and a rapid heart rate. Sometimes cats cough up or sneeze out droplets of the inhalant that caused pneumonia, such as mint oil.

Additional Peppermint Problems
If your kitty accidentally ingests something with peppermint, she'll certainly be bothered. Cats may get upset stomachs, liver damage or experience central nervous system problems. Signs of the latter include drooling and loss of appetite. Even putting peppermint essential oil on your pet can be dangerous: one drop of essential oil made a cat so lethargic and unresponsive that her owner sought emergency veterinary attention, aromatherapist Kristen Leigh Bell warns.

So I feel pretty awful about the whole thing, and not only did I have something around that was bad for our cats, but I was enticing them to ingest it by cramming it full of treats.

 

[Carykd7kau]

Is Dooley OK, John??

Don't kick yourself in the butt John. You did not know. Now you do. Bet it don't happen again.

 

[tdbradin]

Good to know! Sorry you found out the hard way though. Hope all is ok.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

 

[DumaLove]

Thanks for sharing John!! I hope Dooley is feeling better soon!