Can cats survive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?
PROGNOSIS: The prognosis for cats with HCM is quite variable. Cats without clinical signs may survive for years, although the disease is most commonly progressive. Poor prognostic indicators include the presence of congestive heart failure, thromboembolism, and hypothermia (low body temperature).
How long can a cat live with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?
Once in congestive heart failure, most cats with HCM have a life expectancy of 6 and 18 months.
How long can a cat live with congestive heart failure with medication?
Most cats with congestive heart failure will live 6 to 12 months. If a heart condition such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is detected early on, treatment and management can mean a close-to-normal lifetime for your cat.
Can cardiomyopathy in cats be reversed?
Presently, there is no cure for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats. Changes to the size and structure of the heart muscle are irreversible. The longer HCM is allowed to go untreated, the more severe any changes become.
What are the symptoms of HCM in cats?
Symptoms and Types
- Loss of appetite (anorexia)
- Lethargy.
- Weak pulse.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Short, rough, snapping breathing sounds (crackles)
- Abnormal heart sounds (i.e., muffled, galloping rhythm, murmurs)
- Inability to tolerate exercise or exertion.
How do you take care of a cat with HCM?
Treatment for HCM may involve hospitalization for several days to treat congestive heart failure, which results in abnormal fluid accumulation in the lungs. Treatment typically includes oxygen therapy, diuretics (e.g., water pills), blood pressure monitoring, and medications to make the heart beat more efficiently.
Are cats with HCM in pain?
Congestive heart failure symptoms include difficulty breathing or rapid breathing along with nonspecific signs such as lethargy and loss of appetite. Some cats will pant or open-mouth breathe, which is a clear sign of distress. Thromboembolic disease symptoms include sudden lameness or paralysis with pain.
What is the treatment for feline cardiomyopathy?
Treatment with certain medications may be initiated. For example, beta-blockers may help the heart muscle relax by slowing the patient’s heart rate, thereby decreasing its need for oxygen. With appropriate care, a cat diagnosed with cardiomyopathy may survive for several years.
How do you test a cat for HCM?
HCM is diagnosed using ultrasound of the heart – an echocardiogram. Echocardiography is a good way to detect moderate to severely affected cats. However, it may not always detect the mildly affected cats where changes in the heart can be minimal.
How common is HCM in cats?
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common disease in pet cats, affecting 10-15% of the pet cat population.
What is the prognosis for a cat with HCM?
Cats that do not display any clinical signs are often able to survive for years with only mildly compromised heart function. HCM is most commonly a progressive disease, and findings that suggest a worse prognosis include congestive heart failure, thromboembolism, and hypothermia (low body temperature).
How is Lasix used to treat congestive heart failure in cats?
Follow On: Lasix, or furomeside, is a medication used to treat congestive heart failure in cats. It acts as a diuretic and can also be used to treat diseases of the kidneys, edema and high blood pressure in cats.
Are there any medications for cats with HCM?
Systolic blood pressure did not differ between the two groups. Cardiovascular drugs were prescribed in 52.3% of cats with HCM and none were prescribed for healthy cats. Drugs included beta blockers, ACE-inhibitors, diltiazem, clopidogrel, and aspirin.
How is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ( HCM ) diagnosed in cats?
HCM is diagnosed by echocardiography, a technology that uses sound waves to create an image of the heart. In cats with HCM, these images reveal the thickened walls and constricted volume of the left ventricle of the heart.
Cats that do not display any clinical signs are often able to survive for years with only mildly compromised heart function. HCM is most commonly a progressive disease, and findings that suggest a worse prognosis include congestive heart failure, thromboembolism, and hypothermia (low body temperature).
Systolic blood pressure did not differ between the two groups. Cardiovascular drugs were prescribed in 52.3% of cats with HCM and none were prescribed for healthy cats. Drugs included beta blockers, ACE-inhibitors, diltiazem, clopidogrel, and aspirin.
Follow On: Lasix, or furomeside, is a medication used to treat congestive heart failure in cats. It acts as a diuretic and can also be used to treat diseases of the kidneys, edema and high blood pressure in cats.
HCM is diagnosed by echocardiography, a technology that uses sound waves to create an image of the heart. In cats with HCM, these images reveal the thickened walls and constricted volume of the left ventricle of the heart.
