Cardiac Myopia

[kgeorge]

I have a Norweigian ForestCat Kitten and he was just neutered and during the operation the vet saw the EKG monitor was not right he quickly finished and woke him up and repeated the EKG 3 hours later and it still showed abnormal rhythms. I am taking him back in a week for another EKG, he said it MAY be Cardiac Myopia. The vet also said the larger breeds are more prone to this, Maine Coon, Himalayn. Has anyone ever had a cat with this, what is the life expectancy?

[4 feline house]

kgeorge-
can't give you any insight since I don't know of any kitties with cardiac myopathy - I know two humans with it and their outlooks vary - but I just wanted to wish you luck with your little guy and let you know that you and your boy are in our thoughts

[kgeorge]

Thanks for thinking of us, I will let everyone know what I find out next Monday.

[auggie]

Originally posted by kgeorge:
Thanks for thinking of us, I will let everyone know what I find out next Monday.

kgeorge how is your kitty? did you find out anything today?

[kgeorge]

I took Sundance to the vet and they ran the EKG again and it showed very big T waves, (I do not know what that means) so I am making an appointment with a pet cardiologist, I will probably have to wait 4 weeks for an appt. My vet said my cat is in very good health, no distress and it may be something he will outgrow, but he wanted me to have the cardiologist check because he is not real familiar with heart problems. Thanks for asking will keep everyone posted.

[Taylore]

Dear kgeorge, I have a little partner who has been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. I'm no vet so I can't be sure, but it sounds to me like that might be what your little beloved has. My Ebony (we call her Ebi)is a 6 yr old female who was diagnosed in March of 1999. We call her our miracle kitty because she is still with us today - and going strong! We very nearly lost her last autumn when she was developing fluid in her lungs. After tapping her chest to drain the fluid (three separate times, poor kitty!) she has really responded to changes in her medications (which she requires now 3 times a day, for the rest of her life. BUT SHE IS WORTH IT!!!) The point is that she is still here and definately loves her life - she runs and leaps and plays like a kitten again. So please don't give up hope.

My vet recently attended a conferance and had an opportunity to meet with feline cardiac specialists and she told me an amazing thing. For some reason, and they don't know why, cats with cardiomyopathy have been surviving and living happy little kitty lives MUCH, MUCH longer than they ever did before! She says that the "experts" are actually pretty puzzled - but pleased.

So take heart! If I have any advise to offer it is that you must be very, very attentive to Sundance's daily moods - any change (decrease of appetite, increased lethergy, anything) might signal the need to adjust medications. Please keep us posted and my love goes out to you both. Good luck.

------------------
love IS unconditional

[gini]

Kgeorge, please let me send to you all my prayers that your kitty will be fine. I know how disturbing it can be to have our dear pet companions ill. Please keep us posted on your news. In the meantime, love to you both.

[tatsxxx11]

Kgeorge....Wanted you to know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your beautiful kitty. I am a nurse (human!) and it sounds like the diagnosis is still pretty tentative. One of my kitty's was initially diagnosed with cardiomyopathy which was later found not to be the case. His symptoms were the same as your kitty's. Another kitty was definitely diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and, with medication and weight loss, is still with us 2 years later! As was said, cats with this disease do seem to be living longer, fuller lives than in the past. I wish the best for you both. Please let us know what happens, and give your beautiful kitty a big hug and kiss for me. I know you must be frightened. Please know that others here have been through this and are with you.

[This message has been edited by tatsxxx11 (edited January 20, 2001).]