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The relationship between body weight, body condition, and survival in cats with heart failure

E Finn1, L M Freeman, J E Rush

  • 1Department of Clinical Sciences, Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA.

Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
|August 27, 2010
PubMed

Insights

In cats with heart failure, both very low and very high body weights are linked to shorter survival times. Intermediate body weight appears to offer the best prognosis for feline heart failure patients.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Cardiology
  • Feline Medicine
  • Animal Health

Background:

  • Obesity in human heart failure patients is associated with improved survival.
  • The relationship between body weight and survival in cats with heart failure is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between body weight, body condition score (BCS), and survival in cats diagnosed with heart failure.
  • To determine if body weight or BCS can predict survival outcomes in feline heart failure.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective study of 101 cats with International Small Animal Cardiac Health Council (ISACHC) heart failure classes II, IIIa, or IIIb.
  • Data collected included initial body weight, BCS, body weight changes, and survival times.
  • Survival analysis was performed using a model incorporating initial body weight and survival to discharge.

Main Results:

  • Median initial body weight was 5.1 kg, and median BCS was 5.
  • Survival time for all cats was 93 days.
  • A model combining initial body weight (and its square) and survival to discharge significantly predicted overall survival (P<.0001).

Conclusions:

  • A U-shaped relationship exists between body weight and survival in cats with heart failure, with lowest and highest weights associated with reduced survival.
  • Body weight is a significant predictor of survival in cats with heart failure.
  • Further research on body composition is recommended for optimal management strategies.
Abstract

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