How dangerous is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats and how is it treated? Cardiomyopathy in cats: types, causes, symptoms and treatment

Hypertrophic myocardiopathy is a disease of the heart muscle. The pathology is that the thickness of the walls of the left ventricular muscle becomes abnormally large (hypertrophied). Hypertrophy of the walls of the left ventricle may occur as a consequence (as a result) of another disease (for example, systemic [general] hypertension). At the same time, hypertrophy may also be a primary disease.

Left ventricle.

Left atrium.

Mitral valve.

Causes of hypertrophic myocardiopathy.

Diagnosis of hypertrophic myocardiopathy.

The most accurate diagnosis of hypertrophic myocardiopathy can be made using a color echocardiogram (recording ultrasounds of the heart) taken by a Doppler cardiologist. An echocardiogram reflects both the physical condition of the heart and its functioning over time. This non-invasive method diagnostics, which does not pose any risk for the cat. An electrocardiogram and x-ray can only provide the attending physician with additional useful information, but cannot serve as a basis for a definitive diagnosis. Due to the fact that on early stage hypertrophic myocardiopathy affects only the papillary muscles, it is difficult to establish. Therefore, it is recommended that you consult a veterinarian-cardiologist so that he can make a diagnosis for subsequent correction of the disease.

A cat whose siblings (siblings) or parents have developed hypertrophic myocardiopathy is also at risk of developing of this disease. Periodic echocardiograms can help monitor the health of a potentially unhealthy cat. Such animals are not recommended for breeding.

Treatment of hypertrophic myocardiopathy.

Treatment methods depend on the cat's symptoms and the degree and type of functional impairment resulting from hypertrophy:

CONCLUSIONS: The only way to protect animals from SUI is to conduct annual tests (echocardiography) for cats over one year of age. Animals that react positively must be removed from breeding. Each cat participating in breeding must be tested for NSM once a year.

DO NOT PURCHASE KITTENS FROM BREEDERS WHO DO NOT TEST THEIR PRODUCERS.

Authorization

The hearts of our domestic cats are no less susceptible various diseases than human. The most common heart pathologies in cats are cardiomyopathies. The paradox of the situation is that although these diseases are diagnosed

more often than other heart ailments, the cause of their occurrence in most cases remains unclear. Even if you try to translate the term “cardiomyopathy” into “ordinary” language, you will get something like “some kind of heart disease.”

However, with cardiomyopathies, not everything is as bad as it might seem (in general, this is far from the worst heart disease). Timely prescribed cardioprotective treatment (improving the nutrition of the heart muscle and reducing the load on it) will help your pet forget about heart problems for many years. Unfortunately, not all heart problems of our pet purrs can be solved so easily. Today we will focus on several more diseases.

They can be divided into three groups (in order of decreasing frequency of occurrence):

• - inflammatory in nature(myocarditis and endocarditis);
• - secondary cardiomyopathies (secondary are cardiomyopathies that arise only as a consequence of diseases of other organs);
• - congenital heart pathologies (cardiac arrhythmias and disorders of the heart valve apparatus).

Inflammatory heart pathologies(there are infectious and non-infectious, i.e. aseptic in nature).

If as a result of any infectious process(most often a viral infection) the immune system If the cat becomes very weakened, then pathogenic bacteria (less often fungi) can penetrate into the pericardial sac (the lining of the heart) with the blood flow and cause septic inflammation. Without timely and comprehensive treatment, this process can quickly end in acute heart failure.

Inflammations of the heart muscle that are not associated with microorganisms are classified as aseptic, and they occur in cats as a result of the use of certain medicines.

For example, used for treatment oncological diseases cytostatics or painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause aseptic myocarditis.

Secondary cardiomyopathies in cats often occur with abnormalities in the thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). Due to the increased amount of thyroid hormones in the blood, persistent tachycardia occurs, which leads to thickening of the wall of the left ventricle of the heart and, as a consequence, a decrease in the minute volume of ejected blood. The question may arise: is physical activity so harmful to the heart muscle? Short and moderate - during games - no. But continuous tachycardia due to increased levels of thyroid hormones in the blood (the heart is working hard) - yes. The situation can be aggravated by stress caused by the arrival of strangers, transportation in transport, or the vacuum cleaner being turned on.

Congenital heart diseases mostly associated with:

Anomalies in the development (or rather, underdevelopment) of the valvular apparatus of the heart;

With a disruption in the occurrence of a nerve impulse in the center of the autonomic innervation of the heart and its subsequent conduction (impulse) to the myocardium (as a result, severe arrhythmias arise that are difficult to treat).

However, serious genetic abnormalities of the heart often lead to the death of kittens in very early age(due to the complexity and high cost of their detection and, especially, treatment) and in adult cats they are not often diagnosed.

Violation heart rate can occur with a large number of diseases of various systems and organs. They are not necessarily initially associated with diseases of the heart itself. Of course, with secondary arrhythmia that continues long time, pathological changes inevitably begin to appear in the heart muscle itself.

Arrhythmia is not always defined as separate disease(except for cases of congenital rhythm disorder and conduction system of the heart). Arrhythmia itself is very easily diagnosed by auscultation (listening) of the heart or by conducting an ECG study. However, in order to establish the cause of its occurrence (and, accordingly, prescribe adequate comprehensive treatment to the animal), it is necessary to conduct a number of additional studies (blood tests, urine tests, ECG, echocardiography, chest x-ray). It is necessary to accurately establish the type and cause of arrhythmia because medications used for one type of rhythm disorder are contraindicated for another.

How does it manifest itself?

Once again, it is worth recalling that by the time clear clinical symptoms of cardiomyopathy appear in cats pathological process in the heart muscle is close to its logical conclusion, and there is nothing to radically help the sick animal.

Extremely unfavorable clinical symptoms heart diseases are:

• - persistent shortness of breath that occurs with minor physical activity or even just at rest (this includes both an increase in the number breathing movements, as well as the appearance of a pathological “abdominal” type of breathing);
• - attacks of suffocation;
• - indomitable unproductive vomiting;
• - decrease in body temperature below 37oC;
• - noticeable general weakness;
• - loss of consciousness (accompanied by shallow breathing and thread-like pulse).

Treatment used at this stage is more reminiscent of resuscitation measures and often does not save the animal from death.

And yet, some harbingers of an impending catastrophe can be noticed when all is not lost. And if it is not possible to completely restore the shape and structure of the heart muscle and valve apparatus, then it is quite possible to try to significantly slow down the progression of the disease and/or reduce the load on the heart muscle (and, accordingly, improve the quality and life expectancy of the cat).

One of the most common early symptoms of cardiomyopathies is the so-called chest cough. The reason for its appearance is that if the heart muscle, as a result of some pathology, begins to increase in volume (takes on the shape of a ball), it begins to put pressure on the trachea passing in close proximity. And the cough reflexogenic zones on the trachea are not able to understand that there is no need to cough in this case, and still send a signal to the brain.

The intensity of the cough increases gradually (along with an increase in the size of the heart), and the cough itself is most often muffled (uterine) and does not contain any discharge. In general, it seems as if the cat has choked on something and is trying to get rid of it. foreign object. You can make sure that in this particular case we are talking about cardiac pathology by observing the animal for several days. If a cough of the same nature appears regularly (and even more so, its frequency and intensity increases), then you should not hesitate to consult a doctor.

The remaining symptoms of heart failure, no matter what the cause, are very difficult to classify as specific. General weakness and fatigue, drowsiness, and some loss of appetite can also occur with many other diseases. And only a doctor can determine that these symptoms relate specifically to problems associated with heart disease. Moreover, a clinical examination and listening to heart murmurs are not enough to make a correct diagnosis. It is always necessary to conduct certain additional examinations.

Why self-medication for heart disease is unacceptable

Treatment of heart disease requires a lot of attention and caution both in terms of the selection of medications and their doses prescribed to each individual patient. And even more so, self-medication at home is unacceptable, since each specific heart pathology requires the use of certain medications. And the same drug can save the life of an animal in one case and significantly worsen the condition (or even lead to death) in another.

If your pet is diagnosed with one or another chronic heart disease, then be prepared for the fact that, most likely, your doctor will prescribe long-term or, more often, lifelong treatment. The goal of cardiotropic therapy is to facilitate the work of the heart (reduce the pathological load on it), correct the heart rhythm and blood pressure, as well as improving blood supply and nutrition of the myocardium.

And don’t forget that even the sickest animal needs to eat properly. There are ready-made diets specifically adapted for cats with heart disease. They can be purchased at veterinary clinics or specialized veterinary pharmacies.

Hypertrophic myocardiopathy in cats

Essentially, the heart of a cat, just like human heart, is a twin pump for pumping blood. Through the circulatory system, blood enters right side the heart, which pumps it out through the pulmonary artery to the lungs for oxygen saturation. From lungs to left side already oxygenated blood disappears from the heart. Next, the heart “pumps” it into the aorta, from where it spreads throughout the cat’s body.

Each part of the heart has an upper chamber - the atrium, and a lower chamber - the ventricle, which is the main pump that forces blood. The tricuspid valve prevents blood from returning to the right atrium from the right ventricle at the time of its contraction. The mitral valve performs a similar function on the left side of the heart. The papillary muscles of the ventricles are connected to the valves through stretched fibers (the so-called chordae tendineae). These fibers prevent the valves from being pushed toward the atria when the ventricles contract.

HYPERTROPHIC MYOCARDIOPATHY

Hypertrophic myocardiopathy is a disease of the heart muscle. The pathology is that the thickness of the walls of the left ventricular muscle becomes abnormally large (hypertrophied). Hypertrophy of the walls of the left ventricle may occur as a consequence (as a result) of another disease (for example, systemic [general] hypertension). At the same time, hypertrophy may also be a primary disease.

The diagnosis of hypertrophic myocardiopathy is made if the thickening of the walls of the left ventricle is not a consequence of another disease. Expansion of the papillary muscle is also possible. Papillary muscle dilatation and mitral valve dysfunction (systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve) may precede or occur in parallel with significant hypertrophy of the ventricular walls. The development of hypertrophic myocardiopathy can lead to changes in the structure of the heart and a deterioration in its functioning.

- The volume of the ventricle may decrease, and then it will not be able to fill with enough blood.

— The rigidity (stiffness) of the walls of the ventricle, as a rule, increases, which:

- can impair the ability of the ventricle to recover after contraction, and thereby prevent it from being fully filled with blood.

- can cause an increase in pressure in the ventricle during diastole, with blood returning back to the vessels of the lungs and congestive heart failure occurs (pulmonary edema and/or effusion into the pleura, i.e. leakage of ventricular fluid into the lungs and/or pleural cavities ).

- can lead to low-frequency vibrations, discernible in some patients with hypertrophic myocardiopathy as cardiac extratony (gallop rhythm).

When the ventricle does not fill with enough blood, each contraction causes less than normal amount of blood to enter the body. If the blood supply is vital important organs does not meet their needs, the body tries to compensate for this by increasing the heart rate. If blood flow to the kidneys is significantly reduced for a long time, the release of hormones that increase blood volume increases, which in turn increases pressure on the left side of the heart, leading to congestive heart failure.

Increased pressure due to the inability of the left ventricle to fill with enough blood coming from the left atrium, as a result of stiffness of the left ventricle itself, can lead to its dilation. Enlargement of the atrium can slow down the flow of blood, which in turn leads to the appearance of blood clots in it. These clots, once in the circulatory system, can become stuck and block the flow of blood. Hind leg paralysis is a classic example of the consequence of clot accumulation in the descending branches of the aorta (main artery) towards the hind legs. This situation is usually assessed as a “saddle-shaped” thrombus.

- May be pushed (forward systolic movement of the mitral valve) into the cavity of the left ventricle, and obstruct the passage of blood into the aorta, which removes blood from the left ventricle for further distribution throughout the body.

- May become deformed in such a way that blood is able to flow in the opposite direction to the left atrium. When the valve opens during diastole to allow the left ventricle to fill with blood, blood may flow into the ventricle too quickly, which in turn leads to vibrations that result in a galloping rhythm (cardiac extraton).

— Changes in the location or displacement of the valve can lead to systolic heart murmur.

CAUSES OF HYPERTROPHIC MYOCARDIOPATHY

The diagnosis of hypertrophic myocardiopathy can be made if left ventricular hypertrophy is not the result of another disease. Left ventricular hypertrophy, similar to hypertrophic myocardiopathy, can occur as a result of other diseases, for example: general hypertension (most often associated with kidney disease), or hyperthyroidism, but these cases are not termed hypertrophic myocardiopathy.

The main cause of hypertrophic myocardiopathy in humans is considered to be a mutation of certain genes. Today, the mutation is known as an inherited, sex-independent dominant trait with variable expression and insufficient penetrance (frequency or probability of expression of the gene). This means that it only takes one parent to pass on the abnormal gene for the child to develop the disease (the child has a 50/50 chance of getting the abnormal gene). And this also means that the degree of the disease can vary. Along with this, it is possible that a person who has such a mutated hypertrophic myocardiopathy gene will not develop the disease at all.

Further, it has been established that in humans the cause of hypertrophic myocardiopathy is the aforementioned mutation of a gene that produces a defective contractile protein. As a result, the functions of the contractile elements (i.e., sarcomeres) inside the heart muscle are disrupted, therefore, to compensate for the lack of contractile elements, the myocardium (heart muscle) produces them. An increase in the number of contractile elements leads to an increase in the thickness of the myocardial wall.

Hypertrophic myocardiopathy, most often found in cats under five years of age. Cases of familial disease are observed among a number of breeds. Although the specific genetic mutation for hypertrophic myocardiopathy in cats has not yet been established, the occurrence of this disease in entire families and the fact that the appearance of affected offspring is possible in the presence of an affected parent clearly indicate the presence of a genetic basis.

For example, in the Maine Coon breed, hypertrophic myocardiopathy is a congenital, non-sex dominant trait, just as it is in humans. At the same time, the nature of the disease and the data laboratory methods studies are consistent with those in humans. From the above it follows that with a high degree of probability, in cats, this disease is the result of a mutation in the contractile protein gene.

To date, no virus- or diet-related causes of hypertrophied myocardiopathy have been discovered in either humans or animals.

DIAGNOSIS OF HYPERTROPHIC MYOCARDIOPATHY

Cats with hypertrophic myocardiopathy may have no symptoms or symptoms of respiratory distress. Acute heart failure, paralysis of the hind limbs, or sudden death may also occur. Symptoms such as mild rapid breathing can be so subtle that they are easy to miss. In cats with hypertrophic myocardiopathy, an increased heart rate and/or heart murmur and/or gallop rhythm (cardiac extratony) indicate progression of the disease. The above-mentioned symptoms, however, do not indicate the presence of the disease with absolute certainty, until the phase of its exacerbation.

The most accurate diagnosis of hypertrophic myocardiopathy can be made using a color echocardiogram (recording ultrasounds of the heart) taken by a Doppler cardiologist. An echocardiogram reflects both the physical condition of the heart and its functioning over time. This is a non-invasive diagnostic method that does not pose any risk to the cat. An electrocardiogram and x-ray can only provide the attending physician with additional useful information, but cannot act as a basis for a definitive diagnosis. Due to the fact that at the early stage of hypertrophic myocardiopathy only affects the papillary muscles, it is difficult to establish. Therefore, it is recommended that you consult a veterinarian-cardiologist so that he can make a diagnosis for subsequent elimination of the disease.

The veterinarian should also conduct additional tests to determine whether hypertrophy is a consequence of another disease, such as hyperthyroidism or hypertension. If no other causes of the disease are found, the cat is diagnosed with hypertrophic myocardiopathy.

A cat whose siblings (siblings) or parents have hypertrophic myocardiopathy is also at risk of developing this disease. Periodic echocardiograms can help monitor the health of a potentially unhealthy cat. Similar procedure may be especially important if the cat is used for breeding, since breeding sick (potentially sick) offspring is not cost-effective. If a cat expecting offspring is diagnosed with hypertrophic myocardiopathy, its owner must inform the owner of the male about this.

The diagnosis of hypertrophic myocardiopathy can also be made at autopsy. Due to the fact that the heart continues to contract for some time, the physician, in addition to the thickness of the walls of the left ventricle, must take into account many other factors, such as the size and weight of the heart, the appearance and size of the left atrium, etc. The diagnosis of hypertrophic myocardiopathy is made if it is observed thickening of the walls of the left ventricle, and the weight of the heart is more than 20 grams.

TREATMENT OF HYPERTROPHIC MYOCARDIOPATHY

Unfortunately, at the present stage, hypertrophic myocardiopathy cannot be treated.

If a cat's heart is hypertrophied due to another disease, then treatment of the latter may lead to some improvement in the functioning of the conduction system of the heart.

Hypertrophy has a negative effect on cardiac activity. One or more medications may be prescribed to reduce the risk of severe heart failure. These remedies are also designed to help the functioning of the affected heart. In some cases, treatment may prevent further damage to the muscle in the heart wall.

Treatment methods depend on the cat's symptoms and the degree and type of functional impairment resulting from hypertrophy:

- Medicines for cardiovascular diseases are prescribed to improve the performance of the heart, in order to reduce or compensate for its functional failure, which puts the individual at risk of heart failure and the formation of blood clots. Typically, the main purpose of medication is to improve the ability of the left ventricle to fill with blood. In some cases, their use leads to a decrease in the abnormally high heart rate; in others - to improve the ability of the heart muscle to relax; in others, both goals are pursued. The goal itself, and the choice of medicine in accordance with it, primarily depend on the individual condition of the sick cat. The veterinarian's opinion may vary depending on the effectiveness of available medications and which one is most appropriate for a particular stage of the disease.

- A diet may be prescribed if the cat suffers from congenital heart failure. Treatment, however, does not guarantee control of the disease, and after some time the affected individual may become resistant to the effects of diet.

— Medicines that reduce blood clotting are prescribed if there is a high probability of clots forming in the vessels of the cat’s body. Before using such medications, you must make sure that the cat is not at risk of hemorrhage. Such treatment, however, does not guarantee that clots will not form.

Symptoms such as acute heart failure or paralysis of the hind limbs require immediate attention. veterinary care. Options for further treatment can be determined only after the aggravated situation is under control.

The veterinarian is required to periodically examine the cat in order to determine the extent of the impact of treatment on its condition. Sometimes the examination should include an echocardiogram, electrocardiogram and x-ray. Depending on the extent of the treatment's impact on the patient and his condition, it may be necessary to increase the amount of medicines taken or change them to other drugs.

The owner of a cat suffering from hypertrophic myocardiopathy should special attention Monitor your pet's condition and immediately request a veterinarian's consultation if the cat looks unwell. The veterinarian can demonstrate to the owner a method for determining the respiratory rate, since its increase often indicates the development of congestive heart failure. The cat owner should also notice when the cat's sides fall in and stick out too much when breathing (more than usual). Even if your breathing rate seems normal, difficulty breathing may indicate heart failure. A cat with any breathing abnormalities should be taken to the veterinarian. Some cat owners believe that their pets may need nutritional and vitamin supplements. At this time, there is no concrete evidence that hypertrophic myocardiopathy is a consequence of nutritional deficiency. However, some ingredients contained in supplements may be unsuitable for a cat due to the particular condition of its body or in combination with prescribed medications. The use of unsuitable additives may result in serious consequences for your pet.

Source http://vetdoctor.ru/

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a common form of cardiac pathology, accompanied by thickening and hypertrophic changes in the muscle layer of the organ. The disease is characterized by a deterioration in myocardial nutrition and a reduction in blood volume. The disease can be primary in nature, or develop as a result of concomitant ailments.

According to veterinary statistics, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is diagnosed in 45% of furry pets with symptoms of heart failure.

Read in this article

Interesting facts from the medical history

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a relatively new disease in veterinary practice. Intensive research into cardiac pathology began in the early 2000s in the United States. A large population of Maine Coon and Ragdoll cats was scientifically analyzed for carriage of a mutation leading to heart disease.

American scientists have concluded that a mutation in the gene responsible for the myosin-binding protein is the main cause of the genetic predisposition of Maine Coons and Ragdoll cats to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Based on the research conducted, genetic test systems were created. However, their wide application was not justified, since even with the selection of mutation-negative sires, cases of heart disease were encountered in the offspring.

By 2010, German scientists had completed large-scale studies of a large population of Maine Coons and Ragdolls in order to identify carriers of the mutation. It turned out that the genetic tests proposed by American scientists and widely used throughout the world are reliable only for cat populations in the United States.

Causes of development of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Studying the causes leading to the development of heart disease in furry pets,
allowed us to make an unambiguous conclusion about the genetic predisposition of certain breeds to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. It is reliably known that more than 10 genes are involved in the development of the disease.

Most veterinary specialists are inclined to believe that the main cause of the development of the disease in domestic cats is gene mutations. Defects in the transmission of genetic information leading to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy most often occur in breeds such as Maine Coon, Ragdoll, Persian, Sphynx, and Abyssinian cats.

Scientific research shows that if a defective gene is present in each pair of chromosomes (homozygous animal), the risk of heart disease increases significantly compared to a heterozygous cat (if in a pair of chromosomes one is normal and the other is defective).

Among these popular breeds, such as the British Shorthair, Siamese, Russian Blue, Siberian, there is no direct genetic relationship between mutational changes and the development of cardiac pathology. However, these breeds are often susceptible to secondary forms of the disease.

In addition to the genetic cause that influences the development of cardiomyopathy, veterinary specialists identify the following factors contributing to the disease:

• Congenital pathologies of the myocardium in the form of thickening of the walls of the organ and an increase in its size - “bull” heart.
• Endocrine diseases: overactive thyroid gland, acromegaly. Increased output thyroid hormones leads to tachycardia and worsens the trophism of the heart muscle. Increased production of growth hormone (acromegaly) leads to thickening of the walls of the heart.
• Imbalance of the diet in terms of taurine. The amino acid reduces the load on the heart, has an anti-ischemic effect, regulates contraction muscle fibers myocardium and protects cell membranes from damage. Taurine deficiency leads to disorders functional state heart muscle.
• Constantly high blood pressure in a pet leads to wear and tear on the heart muscle.

• Malignant neoplasms, in particular lymphoma, contribute to changes in the structure of the myocardium.
• Chronic intoxication of various etiologies. Poisoning with household pesticides, overdose of medications, and waste products of helminths have an adverse effect on the muscle fibers of the heart muscle, leading to ventricular hypertrophy.
• Pulmonary diseases, such as pulmonary edema.

What happens to a cat’s heart during pathology?

Disturbances in the functioning of the heart muscle begin after certain morphological changes occur in the organ. With the development of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the left ventricle and interventricular septum are primarily affected by pathological destruction.

A defective gene results in the body being unable to produce a sufficient amount of a specific protein - myosin, which is the basis of the myocardium. The body begins to compensate for the lack of muscle fibers with connective tissue. The myocardial wall thickens. The organ seems to be scarring.

Thickening of the myocardial wall leads to a decrease in the volume of the left ventricle, and often the left atrium. Besides, connective tissue reduces the elasticity and extensibility of the heart. The pumping function of the organ weakens.

Thickening of the myocardium leads to the fact that blood stagnates in the atria and the functioning of the atrioventricular valve is disrupted. Aortic obstruction occurs and circulatory deficiency occurs.

The development of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy affects all parts of the heart and affects the blood circulation of the body as a whole. This is explained by the fact that a spasm of the peripheral bloodstream occurs, overflow pulmonary vessels blood. In a sick animal, blood clots form due to slow blood flow in the distended chambers of the heart.

Types of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

In veterinary practice, it is customary to distinguish between primary and secondary cardiomyopathy. The primary form of the disease, which has a genetic predisposition, usually manifests itself before the animal is 5 years of age. The secondary form is most typical for older animals and is more often observed in cats over 7 years of age. This type of pathology develops as a result of diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, and endocrine system.

According to the nature of the course, primary cardiomyopathy can be obstructive and non-obstructive. In the first case, the pathological process involves mitral valve. In the non-obstructive form, there are no changes in the bicuspid valve.

Symptoms of cardiomyopathy in cats

Heart disease is most often observed in males. Cats are less susceptible to myocardial disease. As for age, the pathology can affect both a young animal and an older animal. There is no clear connection between the disease and the age of the pet.

The disease can occur in obvious and hidden forms in terms of the manifestation of clinical signs. At obvious pathology The owner may observe the following symptoms in the animal:

• Lethargy, apathetic state of the pet. The cat stops actively participating in games, tries not to make unnecessary movements, lies and sleeps a lot. The animal may have low temperature– hypothermia.
• Heavy breathing, shortness of breath. During active physical activity, the animal experiences difficulty in inhaling due to slowing blood flow in the pulmonary veins. The owner can observe how the cat begins to breathe rapidly, sticking out its tongue. In this case, breathing movements are performed not by the chest, but by the stomach.
• Attacks of suffocation, loss of consciousness, fainting. Severe shortness of breath often ends with such symptoms due to oxygen starvation brain. The pulse is thread-like in nature.
• Due to lack of oxygen, the mucous membranes become bluish (cyanosis).
• A reflex cough is observed due to the pressure of the enlarged heart on the trachea. The animal takes a characteristic pose: leaning on all its limbs, stretches its neck and head forward. The front paws are widely spaced for better ventilation of the lungs.

• and ascites. As a result of the effusion of exudate, swelling occurs in the chest and abdominal cavity.
• Paralysis of a cat's hind legs develops in advanced cases of the disease, when blood clots close the lumen of large blood vessels in the pelvic area.
• Young animals gain muscle mass poorly and lag behind breed standards and their peers in development.

In many cases, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy occurs secretly, without obvious clinical signs, and ends fatal. Sudden death is often the only symptom that an animal has heart problems.

Diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

The difficulty of identifying cardiac pathology in a pet is due to the hidden nature of the disease and the long-term absence of a clinical picture. A veterinarian may suspect problems with the myocardium during a clinical examination and listening to heart murmurs. Auscultation chest helps to identify systolic murmurs, cardiac arrhythmias, the so-called “gallop” rhythm.

Having detected heart murmurs and rhythm disturbances, a veterinarian will usually order a chest x-ray, electrocardiography, and cardiac echocardiography.

X-ray examination can detect not only enlargement of the left ventricle and atrium, but also detect pleural effusion. ECG of the heart detects disturbances in its functioning in 70% of patients with feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

X-ray (lateral and AP) of a cat with HCM

Most informative method diagnostics and differentiation from other diseases in cardiomyopathy is ultrasound examination of the organ.

The method allows you to evaluate the thickness of the heart wall and the diameter of the aortic opening. Using cardiac ultrasound, a veterinarian can assess the size and shape of the atria, blood flow in the chambers of the heart, and detect blood clots.

For information about what echocardiography shows in cats with HCM, watch this video:

Therapy for this pathology is aimed primarily at reducing congestion, regulating heart rate, preventing pulmonary edema and preventing the formation of blood clots. If hydrothorax is detected in a sick cat, a puncture of the chest is performed in a specialized clinic in order to pump out the pleural effusion.

Furosemide is used parenterally to reduce congestion and eliminate edema. The dosage and frequency of use is determined by a veterinarian based on an echocardiographic examination of the diseased organ.

Beta blockers have a good effect in the treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats. The drugs reduce heart rate and suppress tachyarrhythmias. Beta blockers reduce myocardial oxygen demand and fibrosis in the organ.

In the treatment of the disease, calcium channel blockers are used, for example, Diltiazem, Delacor, Cardizem. The drugs reduce the heart rate and have a positive effect on the relaxation of the heart muscle.

Besides complex therapy, maintenance and nutrition play an important role in the treatment of sick animals. A sick cat should be protected from stressful situations, provide peace. The diet should be balanced primarily in terms of taurine content. On the recommendation of a veterinarian, the animal can be given the amino acid orally.

The forecast depends on the following factors:

• timely detection of pathology;
• manifestations of clinical signs;
• severity of symptoms;
• likelihood of pulmonary edema;
• presence of thromboembolism.

Veterinary practice shows that cats with moderate enlargement of the left ventricle and atrium often live to an advanced age. In the presence of severe heart failure and congestion, the prognosis is cautious. Cats with significant hypertrophy of the heart muscle live 1 - 3 years. The prognosis is even more cautious, even unfavorable, with the development of thromboembolism.

Actions of the owner towards the animal upon confirmation of the diagnosis

Experienced breeders and veterinary specialists give the following recommendations to the owner of a sick cat:

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a common heart disease in cats. The most common form of the disease is the congenital form. Maine Coons and Ragdolls are susceptible to the disease much more often than other cat breeds.

The prognosis for a sick cat is usually guarded. If hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is detected, experts recommend not allowing the animal to be bred.

With HCM, abnormal movement of the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve occurs, and pressure in the left atrium increases. A decrease in the elasticity of the ventricular wall and a decrease in its volume causes insufficiency of diastolic function. The ventricle is unable to fully fill, which leads to a decrease in stroke volume. The pressure in the pulmonary veins increases, resulting in congestion in the pulmonary circulation and cardiogenic pulmonary edema.

The goal of therapy for this disease is to slow down the processes of myocardial remodeling and prevent disasters. This pathology cannot be cured. But knowing about its presence, you can prevent the process of exacerbation - this is the creation of optimally comfortable environmental conditions, this is the absence of “travel,” this is the absence of unjustified stress. Drug support is prescribed for life. Regarding the issue of repeated examinations, if a pathology is detected, then most often the cardiologist at our center recommends against making unnecessary trips. Additional examination possible when symptoms of other diseases appear or clinical HCM actively manifests itself.

— always have the center’s cardiologist’s number in your mobile phone 050 213 34 68 —

Maine Coon Cardiomyopathy

Alarm bells ring out every now and then in veterinary clinics. The owners are in a panic asking: “Save my cat! Something terrible happens to him. He screams from severe pain and cannot move. One or both of the hind legs do not bend, they are extended like sticks. The muscles have hardened like wood, and the cat won’t even let me touch them.”

In these cases, the count really goes not even by hours, but by minutes. Spastic paralysis is a symptom of blockage of the femoral arteries. The cause is a clot of coagulated blood - a thrombus. It's stuck tightly like a plug in the place where the main trunk of the aorta branches into two vessels going to each of the cat's hind legs. Blood stops flowing to the muscles, and after about two hours the irreversible process of their death begins. At the same time, the cat experiences unbearable pain. Let’s remember how painful it is when you sit your leg down, and it gradually begins to tingle with needles and pull. If you take action very quickly, you can help the cat. He will undergo deep abdominal surgery on the blood vessels in order to get to the clot and restore blood circulation. Then comes a long postoperative period when damaged muscles atrophy and are replaced by scar tissue. But the attack can happen again at any moment...

Where did the blood clot come from in the cat's blood vessels? Straight from a cat's heart! Here we come close to the topic of our conversation.

An insidious disease - Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, in English is called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, and its abbreviation looks like this - HCM. It begins gradually, without obvious symptoms. In the final stage, the affected heart appears larger than normal. Hence the name (hypertrophy - increase).

If you look at the heart through the prism of a microscope and all the scientific knowledge accumulated to date, it is possible to distinguish three layers in its wall. Two of them, thin, but very necessary, make up the membranes: the outer one - the epicardium and the inner one - the endocardium. The entire remaining thickness of the heart wall is occupied by its main engine - muscle mass. Penetrating deeper, we see individual fibers and even that they are striated with transverse stripes, like a T-shirt. This is a striated muscle, similar to a skeletal muscle, that moves the entire body. But its fibers are not arranged linearly, but are penetrated by jumpers, forming a network where each individual element is connected to others.

Analyzing the finest structure of the heart muscles, you can see that they owe their movement to special protein molecules - actin and myosin. The easiest way to describe them is as logs laid on windrows. Actin forms small, round molecules arranged in long chains. Myosin, on the contrary, has long thread and "head" - active element, providing sliding along the actin chain.

When a defective gene is unable to produce enough myosin, the heart strives to compensate for this loss. The muscle fibers begin to thicken. Histological data show that with true or congenital HCM, the size of the cardiomyocytes themselves, the muscle cells of the heart, increases. And it turns out to be a colossus feet of clay. These huge bloated muscles do not have an important component for their work - myosin, and accordingly they contract worse and worse. With age, changes in the heart muscle accumulate. It loses tone, mobility and elasticity. The bulky cells lead to hypertrophy (thickening) of the entire heart wall, especially in the left ventricle. The left side of the heart is responsible for blood circulation throughout the body, the so-called large circle, and the right half is responsible for the movement of blood in the lungs - the small circle. If normally the wall of the right ventricle has a thickness of 1.5 mm, and the left one is approximately 2 times thicker - 3-5 mm, then in the hypertrophied left ventricle the wall reaches up to 9 mm. Accordingly, the cavity of the ventricle itself, which must accommodate a certain volume of blood, decreases. Add here a flaccid, clumsy muscle, and it becomes clear that the movement of blood slows down noticeably. Push at huge heart weakened, one-time blood emission is reduced.

The first signs of heart failure in suffering cats may include shortness of breath, especially after exercise, increased fatigue, and bluishness of the skin and mucous membranes. Some cats simply try to take care of themselves: they sleep more, less and are reluctant to move. Shortness of breath may occur after vigorous play or during times of stress, such as moving. Movement of the chest becomes noticeable, which is not observed normally. The cat breathes with its mouth slightly open, like a dog. Sometimes a noise in breathing is heard, which certainly does not happen in a healthy cat. Unnatural color (pale or blue) can be seen on the skin of the nasolabial mucosa, on the mucous membrane of the gums and on the inner surface auricle. It indicates a lack of oxygen in the blood.

With further uncontrolled development of the disease, pulmonary edema occurs and fluid accumulates in the chest cavity, leading to death.

When the left ventricle stops coping with its work and “chokes,” the part of the heart that lies in front of it, the left atrium, suffers first. Due to constant excess pressure, it stretches and blood stagnates in it. Not getting into the weakened ventricle in time, it spins in whirlwinds. Under such conditions, blood clotting mechanisms are activated and clots form. They are attached to the wall of the atrium, but can easily break off and become those same blood clots - invisible but sure killers. The blood clot can go to the lower part of the body and block any artery - in the kidneys, intestines, liver, hind legs, causing partial or irreparable harm. If a blood clot gets into carotid arteries into the brain, sudden death occurs without visible previous signs.

And the biggest joke of HCM is that a young cat can lead active image life up to irreversible changes in the heart muscle. The first and last symptom of this pathology is sudden death from pulmonary edema or thromboembolism.

Hypertrophy of the heart walls can be caused by the presence of another disease - arterial hypertension (high blood pressure). In this case, they speak of non-hereditary secondary HCM. Let's develop this topic a little. Hypertension in humans is understood as an increase in general pressure in the systemic circulation. It is usually associated with spasm of peripheral vessels or their narrowing, for example, as a result of deposition cholesterol plaques. These and other changes increase with age, so hypertension is considered to be age-related disease. Something similar happens in dogs, so many of the developments of humanitarian medicine are applicable to them. But in cats, the circulatory system is designed in such a way that their vessels remain elastic until they reach advanced age, as does the cholesterol that they receive at any age and in large quantities with meat feed does not have a noticeable effect on them. In addition, the stress of a domestic cat is so minimal, and stress is so rare, that there is no reason for classical hypertension. However, secondary feline HCM does exist and is caused by the same hereditary factors. Let's assume that the entrance to the cat's aorta is narrowed - this is a congenital condition. The left ventricle is forced to make uncharacteristic efforts to push blood into the small hole. The muscles of the left ventricle sway as if in gym. However, any athlete can overstrain themselves from overexertion. But the heart cannot stop; it is forced to work 24 hours a day. A similar process can occur in the right half of the heart, with the difference that the symptoms of the disease will be more pronounced in the lungs. The symptoms are similar: exercise intolerance, sudden thromboembolism, pulmonary edema, hydrothorax, death at a young age.

The difference is that the amount of myosin in the heart muscle remains at normal level, and the heart wall increases not due to giant muscle fibers, but as a result of an increase in the number of normal cardiomyocytes. These differences can only be seen under a microscope. This means that the final diagnosis is made only after the death of the cat.

There is no doubt that primary or secondary HCM is one of the most common heart diseases leading to sudden death among young cats. Experience in breeding purebred cats and observation of “family” HCM confirms its hereditary nature. But like any disease, it has its own history of discovery, study, ups and downs.

The mechanisms of HCM development have long been studied in humans. The changes are caused by mutations in genes that code for proteins responsible for contraction of the heart muscle. One of the main candidate genes is MYBPC3 (myosin binding protein C). The product of the MYBPC3 gene is a myosin-binding protein necessary for proper operation heart muscle. The first studies of HCM in cats were, ironically, conducted on the Maine Coon breed. And it was in coons suffering from this heart disease that a decrease in the amount of the myomysin protein encoded by the MYBPC3 gene was recorded. At the same time, the disease immediately received the epithet “breed-specific.” Despite the fact that HCM has been found in many cat breeds (Ragdoll, Scottish Fold, Ocicat, British, American Shorthair, Bengal), as well as in outbred crosses, it is Maine Coon breeders and owners who are particularly concerned about this pathology.

The history of cardiomyopathy as a hereditary disease began its history not so long ago. In 1999, American Maine Coon breeder Dr. Katherine M. Meers hypothesized that NSM is an autosomal dominant mutation and is inherited with 100% penetrance. The latter means that all carriers of the defective gene will show signs of the disease.

The dominant nature of the anomaly suggests that the presence of even one mutant allele may be sufficient for the development of the disease. Then, in the journal Human Molecular Genetics for 2005, a paper by the same researcher was published entitled “Mutation of cardiac myosin-associated protein C in Maine Coon cats with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.”

Since a progressive reduction in myosin-binding protein C was noted in sick cats, the researchers chose the MYBPC3 gene for study. Direct DNA analysis was performed and a single altered nucleotide pair (G to C substitution) was detected at codon 31 (exon 3). This in turn led to the replacement of the amino acid alanine (A) with proline (P) in the final protein. Computer analysis of the protein structure revealed a contraction of the alpha helix and the appearance of random turns in this region, disrupting the structure and function of the protein. The mutation was named A31P. In addition, Meers discovered this mutation in every sick Maine Coon cat from the studied group, either in a homozygous or heterozygous form. The analysis did not confirm the presence of the mutation in any healthy cat. This confirmed the original hypothesis about dominant inheritance and 100% penetrance.

Possible genotypes were compiled.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats.

At the Dingo breeding center, Scottish Fold and Maine Coon cats are recommended to undergo examination by a cardiologist before castration. What is this? The whims of doctors or real threat Does heart disease exist?

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common cardiac pathology among felines. This primary disease heart, characterized by thickening of the wall of the left ventricle, with a simultaneous decrease in its cavity. In most cases, thickening develops simultaneously interventricular septum.

A number of studies have identified genetically inherited abnormalities that can lead to the development of HCM. The following breeds are particularly predisposed to this disease: Maine Coon, British Shorthair and Scottish Fold.

With HCM, abnormal movement of the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve occurs, and pressure in the left atrium increases. A decrease in the elasticity of the ventricular wall and a decrease in its volume causes insufficiency of diastolic function. The ventricle is unable to fully fill, which leads to a decrease in stroke volume. The pressure in the pulmonary veins increases, as a result - congestion in the pulmonary circulation and cardiogenic pulmonary edema.

In cats with HCM, as the disease progresses, compensatory mechanisms are depleted (primarily an increase in heart rate) and clinical symptoms begin to appear.

In the practice of our clinic, the clinical manifestation of this disease occurred according to the following reasons:

- for no reason (keeping conditions, feeding did not change, there were no stress factors) 35%. Animals are usually older than 6 years

— surgical interventions performed in clinics where there are no conditions for examination, the use of anesthetics without a protocol. 50 %. Mostly patients after sterilization or castration.

- change in conditions of detention ( elevated temperature and air humidity, moving, repairs, fear) 15%. Regardless of age, in summer time, with pronounced myocardial pathology.

The main symptoms are shortness of breath, lethargy, fainting, and often sudden death.

Disruption of normal blood flow in the left atrium leads to the risk of thrombus formation and, as a result, to ATE (arterial thromboembolism). In particular, ATE of the abdominal aorta in the area of ​​its bifurcation will manifest itself as suddenly developing paresis, paralysis of the hind limbs, tachypnea, and absence of pulsation of the femoral artery.

It is almost impossible to recognize the presence of the disease without examination before such critical manifestations. The cat may experience fatigue, but anyone who has seen the British knows that they sleep 22 hours a day even when healthy.

A reliable diagnosis of HCM can only be made based on the results of cardiac ultrasound. Minor and controversial deviations, of course, can be detected by ECG and chest x-ray, but they are not conclusive when making such a diagnosis.

The most informative, so-called expert method in diagnosing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is echocardiography (our clients often call this ultrasound of the heart). It allows you to identify myocardial hypertrophy, namely: thickening of the interventricular septum and hypertrophy back wall left ventricle (more than 6.0 mm in the diastole phase), as well as a decrease in the cavity of the left ventricle.

In addition, echocardiography makes it possible to assess the contractility of the ventricular myocardium.

The goal of therapy for this disease is to slow down the processes of myocardial remodeling and prevent disasters. This pathology cannot be cured. But knowing about its presence, you can prevent the process of exacerbation - this is the creation of optimally comfortable environmental conditions, this is the absence of “travel,” this is the absence of unjustified stress. Drug support is prescribed for life. Regarding the issue of repeated examinations, if a pathology is detected, then most often the cardiologist at our center recommends against making unnecessary trips. Additional examination is possible if symptoms of other diseases appear or clinical HCM actively manifests.

The outcome of the disease in patients admitted to us with severe clinical manifestations of HCM (pulmonary edema) in most cases (95%) is favorable. Therapeutic doses of furosemide and oxygen therapy returned the animal to its normal state. Unjustified (in the absence of chest X-ray examination, echocardiography) treatment of such animals with every possible arsenal of cardiac drugs, unfortunately, can lead to death.

If you are the owner of a cat of this breed, we recommend:

- undergo an examination to identify this pathology

— get advice from a cardiologist on self-help in an emergency

- at the first signs of difficulty breathing, fainting, or bluish mucous membranes, immediately contact our branch at Politboytsov 20A, where there is an equipped intensive care unit and the possibility of diagnostics using echocardiography.

— animals that have not been examined should not be taken outside the city. Most often, during the holiday season, the period of rest on the sea coast, taken away cats cannot receive qualified help.

— always have the center’s cardiologist’s number in your mobile phone 050 213 34 68

A cat's heart is like a pump that pumps blood. Blood from the right side of the heart, through the circulatory system, flows through the pulmonary artery to the lungs, where it is saturated with oxygen and returns to the left side, from where it enters the rest of the body through the aorta.

The left and right sides of the heart consist of two upper chambers - the atria, and a lower chamber - the ventricle, which serves as the main pump that pumps blood.

The structure of a cat's heart.

Stops blood from coming back into the right upper chamber during contraction, tricuspid valve. The mitral valve performs the same function, only on the left side. The papillary muscles found in the ventricles are attached to the valves by fibers that prevent the valves from being pushed into the atria when contraction occurs.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a cat

The essence of the pathology of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the abnormal compaction of the muscular wall of the left ventricle - hypertrophy.

Scheme of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a cat.

The disease can develop as primary and how secondary disease . The primary causes may be genetic pathological changes, which implies inheritance. A secondary factor may be chronic arterial hypertension, which is usually present due to .

Clinical signs and symptoms

Difficulty breathing in a cat is one of the symptoms of the disease.

The presence of symptoms depends on the intensity of the disease.

The larger the lesion, the more pronounced the symptoms.

• The main features are difficulty breathing of an animal , shortness of breath often develops into severe attacks.
• The previously active pet becomes too slow , cautious, moves slowly.
• Sleeps more or simply remains motionless, being in one position for a long time.
• Reluctant to make contact with the owner or other animals, more often just ignores .
• Further, if the disease progresses, fainting states , from which the cat finds it difficult to get out.
• Happen epileptic seizures .
• In an advanced stage fluid accumulates in the chest and abdominal cavity , is coming.
• The presence of pathology makes it possible to form blood clots, which develops into an arterial embolism.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis is made through comprehensive studies.

Diagnosis of the disease requires complex studies.

An anamnesis is collected, which includes information about diseases suffered by the pet, observations of the owner on the manifestations characteristic symptoms, the animal’s diet, regime, vaccinations. Next, electrocardiography, radiography, echocardiography are performed, and biomarkers are used.

Treatment

Unfortunately, the pathology cannot be completely cured.

It is impossible to completely cure hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats.

Therapy used for the disease is aimed primarily at maintaining the general condition of the animal. Therapeutic effect are directed to eliminate the main pathological changes:

• elimination of diastolic dysfunction;
• control of dynamic obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract;
• elimination of ischemia;
• heart rate stabilization;
• restoration of basic neurohumoral functions;
• elimination of hypercoagulation.

At home

Helping a cat at home is not practical.

If the pet is in serious condition, at first it is kept in an oxygen box. After relief occurs, measures are taken to remove fluid from pleural cavity to ensure air access and the animal can breathe normally.

At in serious condition an oxygen mask is used.

Medication assistance

Medical assistance consists of in the use of inhibitors : enapril, ramipril, imidapril. Calcium channel blockers in the form of diltiazem. Selective blocker - atenolol. Diuretics – furosemide, spironolactone. Antiplatelet agent – ​​clopidogrel.

Ramipril tablets are prescribed to cats to treat the disease.

Video about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats

Cardiomyopathy is a group of non-inflammatory heart diseases that arise as a result of various changes in the structure of the myocardium (heart muscle). As a result of these changes, the work of the heart is disrupted: it cannot cope with its main task - to properly pump blood, moving it through the vessels, and quickly wears out.

We will try to understand how cats with cardiomyopathy live, why hypertrophied heart muscle is dangerous, and how you can help your pet.

Types of cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathies in cats have been better studied than in other animals. Distinguish the following types diseases:

• hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, when myocardial cells thicken and stop working well and smoothly;
• dilated, when the walls of the left ventricle, on the contrary, overstretch, become thinner and cannot fully contract;
• restrictive - the walls of the ventricles remain of normal thickness, but cannot completely relax, which is why they fill with blood worse.

The most common type of pathology is feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. With echocardiography of apparently healthy animals, 15–34% show corresponding changes in the heart muscle, so today we will dwell on this problem in detail.

Symptoms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats

The main danger of the disease is precisely that the symptoms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats may not be observed at all. Owners do not suspect their pet’s illness for years until a sudden deterioration in the animal’s condition or even the unexpected death of the animal as a result of heart failure.

Most often, the following picture unfolds: as a result of sudden stress, physical activity, as well as after a dropper or anesthesia with surgical intervention, the previously “healthy” cat begins to feel unwell. She develops increasing shortness of breath (breathing with an open mouth and protruding tongue, like a dog), while fluid accumulates in the chest cavity, which prevents the animal from breathing normally.

The general condition worsens, short-term loss of consciousness or even failure may occur. hind legs due to the development of a blood clot. Obviously, such signs require an immediate response from the owners and examination by a cardiologist.

What to do if dangerous signs appear?

How faster cat If you see a cardiologist, so much the better. Regular veterinarian general practice A doctor who does not have the ability to conduct echocardiography and other studies will most likely help an animal in critical condition (provided that the disease has not progressed too far), but will not prescribe adequate treatment.

A veterinary cardiologist will examine the cat, including assessing the condition of the fundus, listening, doing a chest X-ray and echocardiography, and taking blood tests. If the diagnosis is confirmed, treatment for feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy will be prescribed depending on the severity of the disease and the changes that have already occurred in the heart and blood flow.

The owner can also independently record changes in the condition of his pet; for this he does not need to have special knowledge and skills. All that is required is to count the number of breathing movements at rest.

Look at the cat when it sleeps. Record the time and count how many times per minute her sides rise to inhale. It is best to count your respiratory rate at least a couple of times a day. The results should be recorded and shown to the attending physician - this will help him assess the patient’s condition over time.

Treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Cats without clinical manifestations of the disease that feel well are usually prescribed only observation by a doctor with follow-up visits every six months. Animals with certain signs of heart failure are prescribed complex therapy:

• When fluid accumulates in the pleural cavity, near the lungs, which occurs due to stagnation of blood, diuretics are required - first in high doses, then in the supporting ones. IN severe cases a puncture is necessary to pump out the fluid and allow the animal to breathe normally.
• Drugs that affect heart contraction are prescribed for daily use.
• Medicines that thin the blood are necessary to prevent thrombosis, since blood clots often form when the heart functions abnormally. If thromboembolism has already occurred, then intensive therapy is carried out using various drugs.

Life expectancy of cats with cardiomyopathy

Of course, the owner of a cat with this serious diagnosis First of all, I'm interested in the forecast. You should not be angry with the doctor if he cannot give an accurate answer to the question of how long your pet will live. The lifespan of a cat with cardiomyopathy depends on many factors. And if animals without symptoms can live for years, then after symptoms appear, their life span varies from a couple of months to 2-3 years.

Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - genetic disease, especially common in cat breeds such as Maine Coon, Ragdoll, American Shorthair, British, Scottish Fold and some others. Unfortunately, mestizos can also get sick. Therefore, you should take a responsible approach to purchasing a purebred kitten and purchase the animal from trusted breeders.

Research should not be neglected: genetic tests are now available that can identify a dangerous mutation responsible for the development of the disease. It also makes sense to undergo medical examination with mandatory research heart disease in breeds prone to the disease.

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