Care for a Cat with a Holter Monitor

An ambulatory electrocardiography device – also known as a Holter monitor – monitors the electrical activity of your cat’s heart. Your vet might recommend a Holter monitor if your cat has an implanted pacemaker, demonstrates symptoms consistent with a heart problem, or is undergoing drug therapy that could affect the cat’s cardiovascular performance.[1] Fortunately, caring for a cat with a Holter monitor is essentially the same as caring for a cat without a Holter monitor. Once equipped with the monitor, take your cat home. Allow your cat to explore, eat, and play in the same way it normally would.

Steps

Gathering Data

  1. Return your cat to its normal schedule. After you equip your cat with the Holter monitor, allow it to go about its regular activities. Do not make it run, exercise, or eat more than it usually would, or engage in any other unusual activity.[2]
  2. Return your cat to its normal environment. Do not take your cat on a long car trip or to a friend’s house. In order to gather the most accurate data, your cat should remain at home for the duration of the Holter monitor’s operation.[3]
  3. Record your cat’s behavior. When your cat starts wearing the Holter monitor, begin an activity log. Include what the cat is doing and the time. This will help the vet match the Holter monitor data to a particular activity as recorded in your activity log.[4]
  4. Take your cat back to the vet. After 24-48 hours, the Holter monitor will have collected enough data for the veterinarian to analyze. Bring your cat and your activity log to your vet. Your vet will remove the Holter monitor and analyze the data.[1]

Ensuring a Successful Recording

  1. Use a stationary electrocardiography device with sick cats. If your cat is sick, your vet might recommend the use of cage confinement combined with a stationary (non-ambulatory) electrocardiography device placed near the cage instead of equipping your cat with a Holter monitor. This will prevent your sick cat from experiencing an additional rise in stress levels. This might be especially appropriate for cats demonstrating signs of cardiac decompensation.[3]
  2. Keep your cat away from electric devices that could interrupt the Holter monitor’s signal. Most electronic devices will not disrupt the Holter monitor. However, certain appliances or devices could cause the device to malfunction. Your vet will give you more specific instructions regarding your specific Holter monitor, but a partial list of devices that could potentially disrupt it includes:[5]
    • electric toothbrushes and razors
    • electric blankets
    • microwaves
    • magnets
    • MP3 players
    • cellphones
  3. Do not let your cat get wet. Typically, this won’t be a problem, as most cats do not like swimming, and do not need baths.[6] However, be sure to keep your cat from getting wet, since the water can damage the sensitive electronics within the Holter monitor.[2]

Tips

  • If your cat shows discomfort when wearing the Holter monitor, readjust the way it fits (for instance, loosening or tightening the Velcro or straps) using the instructions provided by your vet.

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://cvm.ncsu.edu/nc-state-vet-hospital/holter-monitor/
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://www.medvetforpets.com/media/public/files/Holter_Monitoring_in_Dogs_and_Cats_MedVet_Update_Fall_2009.pdf
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1939-1676.1999.tb02174.x/pdf
  4. ↑ https://www.medvetforpets.com/media/public/files/Holter_Monitoring_in_Dogs_and_Cats_MedVet_Update_Fall_2009.pdf
  5. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/holter-monitor/details/risks/cmc-20313652
  6. ↑ http://www.animalplanet.com/pets/healthy-pets/do-cats-really-hate-water/
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