Hyperthrophic Cardiomyopathy
_Sphynxes are subject to Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). This disease is not specific to Sphynxes, it can also be found among domestic cats or other breed. My goal here isn't to give you a lecture on HCM, but to raise awareness about this disease, a plague for our cats. If you wish to know more, I'd be happy to answer your questions.
What is it?
_ Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is a disease in which the myocardium is hypertrophied (thickened). This hypertrophy affects mostly the inter-ventricular septum (situated between the right and the left ventricles), and the extern wall of the left ventricle (hypertrophy of the right ventricle is very rare). It can also affect the papillary muscles.
HCM is caused by a mutation on the chromosomes responsible for the fabrication of the proteins which constitute the cardiac muscle.
The transmission of this disease is very hard to foresee for breeders. The gene that causes it is dominant, which means if one parent carries it it will be transmitted. However, a cat can be a carrier without having visible symptoms, and the transmission can skip several generations.
HCM is caused by a mutation on the chromosomes responsible for the fabrication of the proteins which constitute the cardiac muscle.
The transmission of this disease is very hard to foresee for breeders. The gene that causes it is dominant, which means if one parent carries it it will be transmitted. However, a cat can be a carrier without having visible symptoms, and the transmission can skip several generations.
What are the symptomes?
_ Most cats stay symptoms-free and the disease is diagnosed fortuitously at the annual vet visit, by a heart murmur (though a heart murmur doesn't always mean the cat has HCM!).
Sometimes, lethargy and anorexia are the only visible symptoms. Some cats suffer from syncopes or die suddenly.
Sometimes, lethargy and anorexia are the only visible symptoms. Some cats suffer from syncopes or die suddenly.
How to detect it?
_ In the absence of symptoms, you need to have your cat tested to make sure he is healthy.
There is not genetic test available, the only way to detect the disease and follow its evolution is echocardiography and Doppler.
You can have your cat tested by a certified cardiologist from 18 months old, when the heart is fully grown. You should test your cat on a regular basis throughout his life.
Moheera Sphynx is committed not to breed cats who are tested positive, and to give you test results of the parents of all our kittens.
There is not genetic test available, the only way to detect the disease and follow its evolution is echocardiography and Doppler.
You can have your cat tested by a certified cardiologist from 18 months old, when the heart is fully grown. You should test your cat on a regular basis throughout his life.
Moheera Sphynx is committed not to breed cats who are tested positive, and to give you test results of the parents of all our kittens.
What are the treatments?
_ HCM is an incurable disease, and the evolution can vary. However, it is not inevitable, an affected cat can live for years, with proper care and treatment. There is not surgical solution, the treatment is only medicinal. There are several drugs used to stabilize the disease, you'll have to find which one fits your cat the best.
For further informations :
If you wish to know more, you can read the very good document by the Sphynx Club de France, here (French)
To understand echocardiographic test results, here (French)
To know more about feline cardiomyopathy, you can read this thesis : (French)
To understand echocardiographic test results, here (French)
To know more about feline cardiomyopathy, you can read this thesis : (French)
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