What should a breeder do if a cat has HCM?

Asked By: Kenton Stillwell

Date created: Wed, Sep 14, 2022 6:08 AM

Date updated: Tue, May 14, 2024 15:13 PM

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

Best answer to the question «What should a breeder do if a cat has HCM?»

Answered by Devin Madrid on Wed, Sep 14, 2022 11:54 AM

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).

Frequently Asked Questions

Those who are looking for an answer to the question «What should a breeder do if a cat has HCM?» often ask the following questions:

😻 How to tell if your cat has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) in Cats. A heart murmur or arrhythmia may be heard on an annual physical exam by your veterinarian and can be the first clinical sign. For this reason, any cat with a heart murmur or arrhythmia should ideally be worked up to rule out underlying heart disease (see “Diagnosis” below).

😻 Can a cat with HCM have a heart murmur?

A significant percentage of cats with HCM will not have a heart murmur, however. Since HCM can occur at any age, a single normal echocardiogram does not guarantee a cat is free of disease. Breeding cats should probably have an echocardiogram yearly during their breeding years.

😻 Can a cat be tested for HCM with echocardiography?

In clinical practice, the most common patients tested for HCM with echocardiography are cats with suggestive clinical signs of heart disease, such as a heart murmur. Testing cats used in a pedigreed breeding program is a more difficult endeavor.

Video answer: Everything you need to know about Feline HCM in the Sphynx Cat

We've handpicked 25 related questions for you, similar to «What should a breeder do if a cat has HCM?» so you can surely find the answer!

Do Sphynx cats get hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is found in all cat breeds, not just Sphynx. HCM is the most common heart disease found in all domestic cats. This is a generally a genetic disease that can happen at any time to any breeder regardless of scanning and precautions. HCM is a thickening of the heart's left ventricle wall.

What kind of heart disease does a Sphynx have?

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is found in all cat breeds, not just Sphynx. HCM is the most common heart disease found in all domestic cats. This is a generally a genetic disease that can happen at any time to any breeder regardless of scanning and precautions.

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 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.

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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.

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.

What questions should I ask a cat breeder?

Ask if the breeder has information about the breed line. For example, ask how long the cats have lived and what they have died from. Write it down. This may be important for monitoring your pet as he gets older. 13.

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.

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.

Is it possible to find a breeder without being a member?

Absolutely, if they are not a member then they’re not a reputable breeder simple as that. You should be able to find your breeder on the websites mentioned. What do you want to look for in the parents of the kitten?

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What should I look for when buying a kitten for adoption?

Additionally, be sure that your kitten has not inherited the following genetic diseases: Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PK deficiency), Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM).

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 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.

Should you get a kitten from a breeder?

If you do decide to get a kitten, the best thing you can do for them and your family is to make sure you give them the best start in life, and that begins with choosing a trustworthy and caring breeder who has the cat’s best interests at heart. Kittens and pregnant cats often find themselves in rescue. Like us, good rehoming charities will:

What should I look for when buying a kitten from a breeder?

Reputable breeders typically take their litters to the veterinarian for deworming and their first and sometimes second round of vaccinations (depending on what age they leave the cattery). Always check with the breeder to see what all has been done and when the next round of shots and deworming are due. Has the kitten been socialized?

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 happens if a cat is homozygous for HCM?

Homozygous (2 copies) cats for the mutation are at high risk of developing severe HCM signs, usually between 1-2 years of age and have a greater likelihood of early cardiac death. Infrequently, homozygous cats do not show clinical signs of HCM.

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.

What should I do if I want to rehome my Cat?

If you still feel you need to rehome, here are some things you must do: 1 Spay/neuter your cat beforehand. ... 2 Vaccinations need to be current. ... 3 If your cat is a purebred, contact the breeder first. ... 4 “Don’t rehome to just anybody,” warns Cat World. ... 5 Take a leaf out of that responsible breeder’s book. ...

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.

What is the life expectancy of someone with HCM?

Research has shown that with proper treatment and follow-ups, most people with HCM live a normal life. A database of 1,297 patients with HCM from the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation identified that 2% of the patients can live past 90 years, and 69% of them were women.

How to find a good breeder for a kitten?

Ask the breeder for a couple references of kitten owners that they have sold within the past year. CALL them. Find out if the breeder was fair, if they were happy with their cat and how any problems were handled. 10. Do they have a breeders contract? Does your breeder require a breeder’s contract? If so, what is in it?

What should I expect from a cat breeder?

The breeder should answer all your questions about the cats and the cattery, and allow visits to the premises. The breeder should give you the option to view the living conditions of the queen and kittens.

What causes HCM in ragdoll heart disease?

Though the inherited heart disease caused by the gene mutation is the most common cause of HCM in Ragdolls, there are other causes as well. For instance, hyperthyroidism has been implicated in causing toxic changes within the heart that may cause cardiomyopathy.

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.

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