Symptoms

• Symptoms of a cardiac rub include lethargy, a rapid heart beat, a weak pulse and anorexia. Because of the inflammation surrounding the heart, your cat may show difficulty breathing. She may pant continuously and refuse to eat or drink. Her gums may appear pale and her abdomen may be swollen due to fluid build-up.
  
  

Causes

• Sometimes there is no known cause of a cardiac rub in cats. There may be no explanation for the fluid build-up in the pericardium, but in some cases an infection including viral, bacterial, fungal or parasitic could be the basis. Lymphoma, cancer in the lymph nodes, liver and other organs, can cause inflammation in the pericardium. Also, trauma to a cat’s chest area can be a cause.
  
  

Diagnosis

• Diagnosing for a cardiac rub includes, a physical exam, analysis of urine and blood samples and an electrolyte panel. These tests can help your vet determine the underlying cause for the rub. If a vet suspects an infection, he will extract fluid from the inflamed sac to test for any bacterial cultures that may be present. X-rays are taken to make a visual diagnosis. A cardiac catherization is the insertion of a tube into an artery or vein in the leg or arm that is guided up into the heart. This test is used to measure how well a cat’s heart is functioning.
  
  

Treatment

• A cardiac rub is an extremely serious condition, so your cat will have to be hospitalized to get the proper care. Your cat’s treatment will depend on what caused the cardiac rub. If malignant tumors are the cause, chemotherapy will be administered. If an infection is the cause, antibiotics will be issued. Also, surgical removal of a portion of the pericardium may be crucial.
  
  

Prognosis

• The outlook on recovery depends on the cause of the cardiac rub. Infections can weaken the heart and cause your cat to suffer from heart problems long term depending on the severity of the infection. If Lymphoma is the cause, most cats will survive an average of six months. Even after a successful treatment, inflammation in the pericardium can recur. If you notice any symptoms of relapse after taking you cat home, contact your vet immediately.