HCM in Cats

[Michaela]

My Romeo F2 boy is very active and happy but the two vet and I
found a murmur 1 month ago after he was sick post neutering
I just saw a board certified cardiologist Tuesday .

The ECHO show modest hypertrophic ( septal predominant ) cardiomyopathy presumed asymptomatic ....but Is it normal for savannas to hyperventilate and pant like a puppy or is that an early symptom of dyspnea (shortness of breath)

The Bengal runs without hyperventilating.
I am concerned and my breeder does not understand my concern or cardiologist concern.

I had a kitten that had congenital obstructive cardiomyopathy treated with a beta blocker for 9 a symptomatic years and had echo after echo then BOOM ... Had massive aortic femoral thrombosis with cardiac thrombus at age 9 in. 2007.

Now I am a pulmonologist and know what this is in humans and the feline literature is not as advanced in therapy like ablation and changing the prognosis .

I a concerned and weighting for the final report
The cardiologist is looking at Genetic testing

Any help please let me know
This is my second cat with this prominent cardiac disorder.
The first was adopted and the adoption covered cardiology for life until we moved out of state

The F2 boy was expensive and now will have a lifetime cardiac medical care.




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Michaela L

 

[Trish Allearz]

The panting with a heart condition would usually be relevant to the heart issues. I'd consider it relevant.

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[Becki]

Where doctors are revered, my career is at the other end of the spectrum , so I can't offer any medical advice. I know when Kovu really is on super sonic speed v. just sonic, he does pant. But he doesn't do this all the time and he doesn't have any medical issues. I would place a call to your cardiac vet - as a pulmonologist, I am sure your cat vet will give you the medical grade explanation of what to look for and what do to. Out of curiosity, I hope you post the response here (translated from medical to understandable!).

As for expensive, once they have entwined their little paws around your heart, they have a way of becoming so much more than mere possessions, don't they? They become furry members of our family and as such we go through extraordinary lengths to ensure their well being. I don't know that the average joe on the street would totally get going through the expense of a cardiac specialist for animals, but we do and Romeo is lucky to have you.

 

[Trish Allearz]

(ie none of my kittens pant after playing... They could pant due to heat, nervousness, and maybe maybe a super crazy play session, but I can't remember the last time they did). Panting isn't usually a huge abnormality, but with hcm already diagnosed, yeah, I'd say it's due to the heart issue.

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[Michaela]

Thank
Romeo is stuck with me no matter what the heart condition leads to. I'll get the report and make more plans for my love-bug.
Don't want to over diagnose the condition and the panting.

His mom is a Bengal line mix and still having love bugs according to the breeder all healthy , but no screening test done.

There is no Bengal genetic testing fully developed for HCM gene.

Some Bengal Breeders test for HCM not all do. No test no detection.

If Romeo was not tested it would not be detected. Hope early detection will keep him healthy and happy for a long time .








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Michaela L

 

[Michaela]

The panting with a heart condition would usually be relevant to the heart issues. I'd consider it relevant.

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Tank you


Most breeders say f2 can pant and it is normal
The vets don't find that normal
So it is hard to say
I a am a concerned mom still




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Michaela L

 

[Patti]

I agree that although Savannahs will play so hard that they pant and that can be normal, knowing that he now has a diagnosis of HCM it's hard to say that this isn't playing a role in his panting. In addition, you probably won't want him to play that hard as it can put further stress on his heart.

Most contracts will cover genetic illnesses for a year or more, you should review your contract to see what it says before you approach your breeder again. Realize however, if you want the breeder to take responsibility for the illness it may mean you have to return the cat to him/her, which it sounds like you are probably not willing to do.

 

[Trish Allearz]

Thank
Romeo is stuck with me no matter what the heart condition leads to. I'll get the report and make more plans for my love-bug.
Don't want to over diagnose the condition and the panting.

His mom is a Bengal line mix and still having love bugs according to the breeder all healthy , but no screening test done.

There is no Bengal genetic testing fully developed for HCM gene.

Some Bengal Breeders test for HCM not all do. No test no detection.

If Romeo was not tested it would not be detected. Hope early detection will keep him healthy and happy for a long time .








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Michaela L

And definitely-- knowing he has HCM is the best and most important step in the battle for a pet owner. HCM is the number one cardiac killer of all cats and is in all breeds and mixed breeds. Whenever a pet owner asks me about scanning their cats at HCM clinics-- which is usually at a great price-- I never ever say, "Nah, don't do it." Heck yeah- get your scan done! It's much better to be out $200 and know kitty's heart looks great or to be out $200 bucks and to know you need to keep an eye on your kitty's heart and maybe medicate than waking up to a cat that's thrown a clot and can't use his or her back legs and has to be put to sleep.

So you are so far ahead of the battle and hopefully, your baby lives a long, healthy life even with the disease.

 

[Michaela]

And definitely-- knowing he has HCM is the best and most important step in the battle for a pet owner. HCM is the number one cardiac killer of all cats and is in all breeds and mixed breeds. Whenever a pet owner asks me about scanning their cats at HCM clinics-- which is usually at a great price-- I never ever say, "Nah, don't do it." Heck yeah- get your scan done! It's much better to be out $200 and know kitty's heart looks great or to be out $200 bucks and to know you need to keep an eye on your kitty's heart and maybe medicate than waking up to a cat that's thrown a clot and can't use his or her back legs and has to be put to sleep.

So you are so far ahead of the battle and hopefully, your baby lives a long, healthy life even with the disease.

Thanks so much
One breeder said why bother if he is not going to reproduce
It is not like you are not going to keep him . My point is early asymptomatic detection is the goal in order to treat early.

The other breeder said what is the big deal if he is asymptomatic anyway.

Another point was his mothers and siblings are fine and healthy but never
mentioned any testing at all

A cardiology consult with EKG and Echo is about $500.00
My cardiologist was a little less
Another was quoted significantly more.

Love my furry kid and he is for ever baby even if The cost of meds and two echo s is significant per year not a small inconvenience.


My point is a breeder can not guarantee health but not testing is
because you have a good record
is not fun for me and the Poor Baby
cat....on top of unawareness of the severity of the disease in cats....






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Michaela L

 

[Michaela]

Where doctors are revered, my career is at the other end of the spectrum , so I can't offer any medical advice. I know when Kovu really is on super sonic speed v. just sonic, he does pant. But he doesn't do this all the time and he doesn't have any medical issues. I would place a call to your cardiac vet - as a pulmonologist, I am sure your cat vet will give you the medical grade explanation of what to look for and what do to. Out of curiosity, I hope you post the response here (translated from medical to understandable!).

As for expensive, once they have entwined their little paws around your heart, they have a way of becoming so much more than mere possessions, don't they? They become furry members of our family and as such we go through extraordinary lengths to ensure their well being. I don't know that the average joe on the street would totally get going through the expense of a cardiac specialist for animals, but we do and Romeo is lucky to have you.

Thank you
I am still leaning a lot more vet medicine every year without planing.
Hope my breeder learns something from my experience and understands asymptomatic detection is expensive and important
HCM is a big killer for all cats.
If I don't make it a priority to know more I can't keep him happy and healthy for ever.
Most pet owners can't detect a illness until late
If I don't know better it can be a short life for Romeo

I had a kitten with this and he lived 9 y on beta blockers medications until POP a deadly clot .

My babies are alway my love and life not just pets .

Thk


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Michaela L