Can cats survive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?
Can cats survive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?
The prognosis for cats with HCM is quite variable. Cats without clinical signs may survive for years, although the disease is most commonly progressive. Poor prognostic indicators include the presence of congestive heart failure, thromboembolism, and hypothermia (low body temperature).
What are the symptoms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats?
Symptoms and Types
- Loss of appetite (anorexia)
- Lethargy.
- Weak pulse.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Short, rough, snapping breathing sounds (crackles)
- Abnormal heart sounds (i.e., muffled, galloping rhythm, murmurs)
- Inability to tolerate exercise or exertion.
Why do cats get hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?
HCM has been shown to be caused by a genetic mutation in Maine coon and Ragdoll cats, and a genetic basis is suspected in other breeds and mixed breed cats. Middle aged to older cats are typically affected, however, the disease may develop at a young age in some cats.
How do you treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats?
Treatment for HCM may involve hospitalization for several days to treat congestive heart failure, which results in abnormal fluid accumulation in the lungs. Treatment typically includes oxygen therapy, diuretics (e.g., water pills), blood pressure monitoring, and medications to make the heart beat more efficiently.
When should I put my cat down with HCM?
Recognising the Signs
- Loss of appetite and drinking less.
- Weakness, lethargy, inactivity.
- Grey or blue-coloured tongue and gums.
- Difficulty breathing and swallowing with unusual lung sounds.
- Rapid breathing.
- Fast heartbeat.
- Distended abdomen.
- Back legs paralysis.
What should I feed my cat with HCM?
Canola and flaxseed oils do not contain preformed EPA and DHA and require conversion from shorter chain omega-3 fats. Cats lack the ability to effectively make that conversion, so fish oil supplementation is the preferred choice for cats with HCM.
How can I help my cat with HCM?
What is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats?
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most commonly diagnosed cardiac disease in cats. Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a condition that causes the muscular walls of a cat’s heart to thicken, decreasing the heart’s efficiency and sometimes creating symptoms in other parts of the body.
What causes hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and left ventricular non-compaction?
The R820W mutation in the MYBPC3 gene, associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats, causes hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and left ventricular non-compaction in humans. Int J Cardiol. 2010;145(2):405–407. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2010.04.032.
How do you treat hypercholesterolemia in cats?
Other drugs, such as nitroglycerine, may be applied to the cat’s skin for absorption. Unfortunately, no therapy has been shown to prevent the progression of HCM when started before clinical signs are observed.
What is the life expectancy of a cat with HCM?
Cats that do not display any clinical signs are often able to survive for years with only mildly compromised heart function. HCM is most commonly a progressive disease, and findings that suggest a worse prognosis include congestive heart failure, thromboembolism, and hypothermia (low body temperature).
