As a pet owner, you are always worried about your pet’s health, and that’s what makes you such a great pet owner! But what if I told you that your cat could have heart disease and not show any symptoms? It can be scary, but thankfully, there are ways to detect this early!
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a genetic heart condition that causes the muscle of the heart to become abnormally thick. This extra muscle makes it harder for the heart to pump blood through the body, causing irregular heart rhythms, heart failure, and even cardiac death. In Sphynx cats, HCM is the most common heart condition.
The biggest problem with HCM is that the cat often shows no symptoms until it’s too late. While the disease is incurable, there are treatments that can manage symptoms and improve the cat’s quality of life. This condition can occur in any cat, but due to the genetic nature, it is very prevalent in the Sphynx cat breed.
How to Detect HCM
So what can you do to help prevent Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in your cat? Early detection is key! Since symptoms rarely appear before they are fatal, it’s better not to wait until something seems wrong with your Sphynx cat to take action. Thankfully, there are tests that can help your vet detect HCM.
A ProBNP blood test is one way to detect HCM. This test should be done yearly by your vet. It tests for hormones, called BNP and NT-proBNP, that the heart releases when it is working harder than normal. The levels detected can help your vet determine how advanced any heart issues may be. It is not a common test, so be sure to ask your vet specifically for this to ensure your Sphynx cat is heart healthy.
The other test that helps detect HCM is an echocardiogram. This procedure is non-invasive and should be done by a certified cardiologist every two years. They use sound waves to create pictures of the heart that can be used to see how the structure, function, and blood flow are in your cat’s heart. This is a specialized test that most general vets do not perform, so make sure you research and find a cardiologist who can do it for you.
Conclusion
Although Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy can sound scary, prevention is your biggest tool for keeping your cat healthy! Finding a vet that is experienced in the Sphynx breed can help, but ReNewed Pet is here to help keep you educated on what to look for and ask for.
If you have concerns about your pet, schedule a consultation with me here so we can discuss specific health conditions for your pet!
With Love,
April Arguin A.S., C.P.N., M.P.H.
(aka) PetCoach April
