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It is a disease which is found in many cat
breeds including Sphynx. The cat's heart is a muscular pump with four separate
chambers. The right side of the heart sends blood to the lungs where it picks up
oxygen. The left side receives blood from the lungs and pumps it around the rest
of the body. HCM cause the heart muscle to thicken which
impairs it's flexibility, causing the heart to work faster which in turn
leads to the enlargement of the heart chambers and fluid round the heart.
HCM can be diagnosed by ultrasound scanning. There is no genetic test for HCM,
and until the genetics in cats are fully understood it will be almost impossible
to element the disease. Research continues into the cause. There are very rarely any visible sign. Cats are usually good at
concealing ill health and often there are no evidence of any problems until the
condition is very advanced.
In many cases until the cat develops signs of acute heart
failure, which includes rapid, shallow breathing, open mouth breathing, vomiting
& weakness. Blood clots may develop in the heart and travel down the aorta to
block the circulation to the hind legs, causing pain and weakness.
Diagnosis
Physical Exam -
Irregular heart rhythm, or unusually fast indicates a need for investigation
Radiographs - Chest
X-rays of asymptomatic cats that may appear normal or have a mild enlargement of
the heart. Cats with clinical signs of HCM there maybe a greater enlargement of
the heart as well as fluid build up in the lungs and chest cavity.
Echocardiography -
This is the diagnostic tool which is best suited to
monitor HCM. It is a painless procedure using sound waves to give a
3-dimensional picture of the heart in motion. A valuation of the thickness of
the heart walls and the strength of each contraction of the heart muscle. The
heart valves can be evaluated and look for evidence of blood clots formation
within the heart chambers that could lead in circulation blockage.
Treatment - The
decision of whether and how to treat a cat with HCM depends on the cat's
clinical signs and the results of a complete diagnostic test. Very early
or mild cases may not require treatment, just close monitoring. More serve cases
and pronounced changes in the heart will need medical intervention. Such as
Beta-adrenergic receptor blockers etc.......
The best advice and the way forward is to not to breed from
known HCM positive cats and to test existing progeny on a yearly basics.
More in depth information can be found by linking onto
the following sites:
and of course your Veterinary will be able to answer any
questions you may wish to ask.
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