Why is my cat gagging after vigorous exercise?

by Meghan
(Mountain View, CA)

Dear Dr. Neeling,

Recently I have started noticing that my 2 1/2 year old cat, Mariposa, has a strange reaction when playing chase the string on a stick. I like to run her (and her brother) up and down the hall as they play chase. I also find it amusing to start moving it around in circles, and back and forth, so fast that there little heads are going in circles. They love it, and little Mariposa is CONSTANLY begging to play. She has TONS of energy and a zest for stalking the string and running up and down.

However, I have noticed that after the running up and down, when there is the time she is just sitting, stalking and watching it as I quickly (I mean quickly, it has to make her dizzy) swirl it in circles, Mariposa has had this strange reaction where:

1) She starts licking her lips
2) her little tongue starts to come out of her mouth
3) She starts to gag, I can see it convulse up through her body. (she doesn't throw up though)

She seems undisturbed by this, the whole time her eyes are on her prey. However, it is strange to me, and upon investigation, one site suggested gagging is a sign of "hypertrophicardiomyopathy." She does not display the other symptoms of difficulty breathing, increased respiratory rate or reluctance to move around (she is constantly running), I think her appetite is less than her brother who is twice her size, but she eats. However, in this condition, it does seem that increased heart rate may lead to symptoms as there is less time to fill the heart with blood. I know when she was a kitty, the vet said she had a very mild heart murmur that I shouldn't worry about, so I hope this doesn't make her more susceptible to this condition.

I am happy to take her to the vet, however, I am also wondering if perhaps this is actually something more common place than heart disease. I am wondering if there are possibly more benign causes.

Thank you!!!
Meghan

Hi, Meghan,

For the answer to your question, please click on the following link.

CAT HEART