How do you know if your cat has HCM?

1
Fonda Posey asked a question: How do you know if your cat has HCM?
Asked By: Fonda Posey
Date created: Wed, Aug 24, 2022 16:51 PM
Date updated: Mon, May 20, 2024 3:00 AM

Content

Video answer: HCM in Cats: What You Need To Know

HCM in Cats: What You Need To Know

Best answer to the question «How do you know if your cat has HCM?»

Many cats with HCM are asymptomatic meaning they have no clinical signs. The disease may be discovered when listening to the heart and abnormalities such as a heart murmur, arrhythmias and/or extra heart sounds (gallop rhythm) are heard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Those who are looking for an answer to the question «How do you know if your cat has HCM?» often ask the following questions:

😻 What are signs of heart failure in cats?

  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ( heart disease)
  • High blood pressure
  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Degenerative heart valves of blockages
  • Heart wall defects
  • Fluid in the sac around the heart
  • Blood clots in the heart
  • Abnormal heart rhythm
  • Heartworm disease
  • Anemia

😻 How to treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats?

  • Medications to slow the heart rate,correct abnormal heart beats,and improved blood flow and cardiac function
  • Medications to decrease blood clot formation
  • Medication to alleviate fluid build-up with congestive heart failure
  • Diet aimed at minimizing sodium intake and optimizing adequate nutrition for congestive heart failure
  • Pain control,if needed

😻 What are the symptoms of enlarged heart in cats?

  • Listlessness (depression)
  • Lack of appetite
  • Weakness/sluggishness
  • Partial paralysis as blood clots become more common
  • Abnormal heart rhythm
  • Difficulty breathing,possibly with a cough

Video answer: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) in Cats

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) in Cats

Your Answer

We've handpicked 18 related questions for you, similar to «How do you know if your cat has HCM?» so you can surely find the answer!

How do you test for HCM in cats?
How it’s tested for: Unlike PRA and PK-Def, there’s no easy DNA test for HCM. To determine if a cat has HCM, an ultrasound of the heart must be done by a cardiologist (this is very expensive, and it can be hard to find someone able to do this test). This is called an echocardiogram.
What does it mean if my cat has no HCM?
Negative – This means that your cat does not have the genetic mutation for Sphynx HCM. However, this does not mean that your cat can never get HCM since there may be other causes of the disease; it means that it will not get HCM from the known Sphynx DNA mutation.
What should a breeder do if a cat has HCM?
Breeders should use all the information they can gather about HCM in family lines, including pedigree analysis based on accurate identification of affected cats. Any cat that dies suddenly or dies from HCM should have a necropsy (i.e., post mortem examination).
What happens if a British Shorthair has HCM?
British Shorthairs are susceptible to developing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM. HCM is a heart condition that makes the walls of the heart thicken and decreases the organ’s efficiency. A cat with HCM may have a heart that beats too rapidly, which increases the heart’s oxygen usage. This, in turn, can cause heart cells to die.

Video answer: Checking a Resting Breathing Rate in your Cat

Checking a Resting Breathing Rate in your Cat How old do cats have to be to have HCM?
Characterized by regional or diffuse thickening of the walls of the ventricle (the primary "pump" muscle of the heart), HCM has been diagnosed in cats as young as 4 months old and as old as 16 years old.
How often should a cat with HCM have a chest xray?
If your cat is diagnosed with HCM but has no symptoms, a routine physical examination and one or more specialised tests (i.e. an echocardiogram, chest radiographs, ECG) may be recommended every six to twelve months to monitor for any progression of the disease.
How can I tell if my cat has HCM?
Ultrasound testing of the heart to measure the thickness of the heart wall and to determine the presence of HCM is used along with the gene tests (which are available from a number of laboratories) to characterise cats.
How old do cats have to be to get HCM?
One study also suggested that more heterozygous cats may develop disease as they get older (>4 years), but this has yet to be convincingly proven, and most cases of clinical HCM still occur before 4 years of age.
Are Ragdoll cats at risk for HCM?
Cats affected by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are at risk of sudden cardiac death. In Ragdoll cats, a breed-specific mutation has been found to be associated with increased risk for HCM. Phenotype: Cats affected by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are at risk of sudden cardiac death.
What does it mean if a cat has HCM?
A negative genetic test for the currently known mutation does not guarantee that HCM from another mutation yet to be identified will not develop. However, a positive test indicates the individual is either a carrier of or will develop HCM. Description: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common heart disease of the cat.

Video answer: Everything you NEED to know about Feline HCM!

Everything you NEED to know about Feline HCM! Is HCM inherited in Turkish Van cats?
In some breeds such as the Maine Coon, HCM is inherited, but that has not been proven in the Turkish Van. Regardless of how healthy your cat is when you first bring them home, you should prepare for any issues that may come up throughout their life. A pet insurance plan can help you stay ready for any of your cat's veterinary needs.
Do Bengal cats get HCM?
Since Bengal cats usually don’t develop HCM until they’re older, a clear echocardiogram done on a young cat does not mean that it won’t develop HCM later. How to avoid HCM: There’s a genetic link, so the best way to avoid the probability in offspring is to regularly screen breeding cats and not breed an affected cat or his/her immediate offspring.
How do you tell if your cat has an infected tooth?
How do I know if my cat has a tooth abscess? If your cat has a tooth abscess, you may notice a swelling suddenly developing on her cheeks or chin. These swellings can drain blood-tinged or pus-like fluids.
How can I Help my Cat with HCM?
If you are one of those cats and especially if it is over the age of 8, you can help by scanning your cat and submitting a blood sample. (Information is below) Please note, that even if there is a Sphynx HCM mutation identified, all Sphynx will still need to be scanned regularly as there are probably multiple mutations.
What are the symptoms of HCM in Maine Coons?
A Maine Coon suffering from HCM is likely to have the following health conditions: Arrhythmias (heart beats irregularly, too slowly, or too rapidly In cases where fluid has accumulated in and around a cat’s lungs, the following symptoms are often visible. These factors may indicate your Coon has congestive heart failure:
What health problems do Ragdolls have?
Another health concern for ragdolls is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a condition that thickens the heart’s walls. HCM can lead to heart failure and death. Symptoms of HCM include coughing, difficulty breathing, and rapid weight gain. There is no cure for HCM, but treatment options are available.
Do Sphynx cats need HCM scans?
1. Sphynx cats require annual HCM scans. Sphynx cats are predisposed to having feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or HCM, which is a genetic heart defect. This can appear anytime during their lifetime, so they need to undergo HCM heart scans on a regular basis.
Do Maine Coon cats with HCM have a big heart?
Most cats with HCM will have a heart that weighs more than 20 grams and most cats with severe HCM will have a heart that weighs more than 30 grams. Myocardial fiber disarray, the hallmark microscopic heart muscle abnormality seen in humans with familial HCM is seen in all Maine Coon cats with HCM.

Video answer: Client Education Video - Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Client Education Video - Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy