Heart Murmur Stage 5-6

[Patti]

I'm very sorry to hear this but hope that the atenolol will keep him out of heart failure. There are several other medications that he could potentially be on so the fact that he is only on one seems hopeful to me that his case is not as severe as it could be.

 

[Eddies]

So from the conversations & vet recommendation am I to understand Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is genetic; avoidable thru informed breeding? Eddie is supposed to be coming with a lifetime guarantee to be free of such, but I know if I had him for months I wouldn't be able to send him back for a replacement anyway. I'm sorry yours is having such problems, it's good to hear the Atenolol is controlling it for now. If I understood you his breeder is not acknowledging the problem and by the vets recommending retiring the stud it seems the breeder definitely has a responsibility here. Other than giving up the kitten is there no legal recompense like assissting with vet bills?

 

[Trish Allearz]

Not all vets will agree with Millers recommendation. Are there other hcm positive kittens from just the stud, but not the same female? I'm assuming that's what you're saying and in that case, any vet would agree with miller.

Poor baby, but hcm is a real issue we'll see more in this breed and besides scanning and standing behind our health guaranteed, we're limited in what we can do.

breeders don't usually recompense vet care. However, I'd think at seven months, she'd offer another kitten from a different pair or some refund.
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[Trish Allearz]

So from the conversations & vet recommendation am I to understand Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is genetic; avoidable thru informed breeding? Eddie is supposed to be coming with a lifetime guarantee to be free of such, but I know if I had him for months I wouldn't be able to send him back for a replacement anyway. I'm sorry yours is having such problems, it's good to hear the Atenolol is controlling it for now. If I understood you his breeder is not acknowledging the problem and by the vets recommending retiring the stud it seems the breeder definitely has a responsibility here. Other than giving up the kitten is there no legal recompense like assissting with vet bills?

You can be informed as much as the day is long... Has nothing to do with it. Well, very little. catteries who've scanned for generations still see hcm pop up. It IS the number one cardiac killer of ALL cats for a reason.
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[Eddies]

Thank you Trish, that's what I was wanting to know. Heart problems actually run in our family and I thought this was something like that, obviously not? Is there a test that can be done for a reasonable price?

 

[Patti]

There is a test specifically for Maine Coons and Ragdolls - no other breeds, and this test is not 100% by any means. HCM is a recessive gene so it can be carried for generations on end without detection until that unfortunate pairing with another cat that carries the trait.

 

[Trish Allearz]

Thank you Trish, that's what I was wanting to know. Heart problems actually run in our family and I thought this was something like that, obviously not? Is there a test that can be done for a reasonable price?

You can screen for it as a pet owner, but often the test cost is prohibitive. Locally, its over nine hundred and ideally, you'd do it yearly. If you can get into a hcm clinic, you're looking at 150 to 300. Much better.
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[Eddies]

You can screen for it as a pet owner, but often the test cost is prohibitive. Locally, its over nine hundred and ideally, you'd do it yearly. If you can get into a hcm clinic, you're looking at 150 to 300. Much better.
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Thank you for this information!

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

Thank you Trish, that's what I was wanting to know. Heart problems actually run in our family and I thought this was something like that, obviously not? Is there a test that can be done for a reasonable price?

Coming in late (traveling) but yes you can test via cardiac ultrasound but that is pricey...guess it depends on what you think "reasonable"... it can vary from ~$150 at a HCM screening clinic up to the $900 or so Trish mentions (depending on the cost associated as often they want to do xrays, sedation and blood testing for a complete picture).

There are thought to be a number of genes involved in HCM in cats, so the genetic tests available for Ragdolls and Maine Coons only test for a few of those genes, hence even if your Maine Coon tests negative on the DNA test for that breed that doesn't mean it can't develop HCM. It's a frustrating disease.

It is very disappointing to think that there is a breeder out there than knows their stud has produced more than one HCM case and intends to keep breeding him. @socalirocker, do you mean that you know of other kittens with HCM from that cattery, or has the stud been used by other catteries? With the diagnosis of HCM, is the breeder offering you a replacement kitten?

 

[socalirocker]

Sorry for my late response, I've been working long hours. Hcm with my understanding studs are able to be used, although it carries risk of it being passed on. Since normally HCM appears in older cats, and this is a kitten she believes he has two or more genetic mutations that would cause it. I'm not one for hear say. But there is a breeder who I spoke with who has heard numerous complaints about her. I also have a neighbor who bought from her, shortly after it passed away. There was thread created about her on here, also with a few people that had kittens pass away, or have heard stories. That just sounds like too much of a coincidence. Also like the original person that created that thread stated that when she was having issues she wouldn't answer her phone, or reply to text. When I notified her about the situation the first time one month after getting him I took him to the vet, found a murmur but she assured me not to worry, it would go away. Also before I purchased him she stated that he had been checked by a vet. Now she says she didn't and she gave him his first round of shots. That's quite the story change and sounds fishy. 3 people on that thread noticed caughing, a sign of HCM. So I will notify them of my findings. On another note, on her site she says she is registered with tica, that's a lie. I used to breed bearded dragons, chameleons, and frilled dragons. I always was aware of the history of each of my animals, I new at least 6 generations back history. Also if my buyer had any issues, I would make sure to work the problem out, immediately. She hasn't texted me other than, "poor baby." In my opinion she is not a responsible breeder, her ignoring clients with kittens that have medical issues within the first year is madness. Her health guarantee at this point is non-existent. Not only that, it's unethical to be breeding animal when you know, and have a history of selling sick kittens. She hasn't offered me a new kitten. Diesel, my baby needs to be taken care of properly. I highly doubt she would be taking him to the vet.