Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

[elizabethann]

Is anybody familiar with the above heart disease? I just came back from the vets (regular check-up) and all my pets are fine except for Maxie. He was diagnosed with this disease. If you have any information you can share, please do. I would be most appreciative. I don't want my Maxie to die. He's my best friend.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a169/FenwayBambino/maxie_lounging.jpg

I ATE MY MOMMY'S LAMPSHADE.

[kittycats_delight]

PM "skneisel74" her Maggi Mae has cardiomyopathy and maybe she can give you some insight on it. Prayers and lots and lots of good vibes coming for Maxie.

[skneisel74]

Maxie Do you know how much your meowmie loves you. Enough to really care. I will send you to a PM with as much info as I have. You can also try PM(ing) Maya & Inka's mommy. She was able to give me some help I will pass on what she sent me in my PM.

Lots of hugs and prayers comming your way from Texas

Shell's Angels

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

OH NO.... That's the disease my Sydney had..:( . Please get Maxie on medication as soon as possible! When Sydney was first diagnosed with this, the doc said it was to soon to start medication; he told us to come back in 6 months:rolleyes: . 4 months later, my sweetheart died of a heart-attack:( :(

Sorry, I didn't want to discourage you :(

You can read all about my Sydney on my own web-site:
The Pet's House (http://users.pandora.be/bernardgabriels/)

[elizabethann]

Thank you to everybody who sent me PM's and who answered this thread. I appreciate it. I will be going to the vet's tomorrow to pick up some food and will ask about medication for Maxie.

The vet called me today because my OTHER cat, Cosmo, got a senior blood test. He's glucose level is down and he may have kidney issues. I have to buy some special food called K/D at the vets tomorrow.

My poor babies.

I'm very sad but very happy & glad I can come here and talk to people who understand. I'll keep everybody posted on my babies.

Thanks again.

[PJSZOO]

Hi, I know just how scary it is to hear that your beloved baby has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. My sweet orange Oliver was diagnosed three years ago. He was a stray kitten that one of my friends found along a major highway. Of course I said I would take him in (cause that's what I always do!) Anyway, when he was old enough, we had him neutered at my local vets. When I brought him home, he seemed to be breathing more rapidly than I thought he should be, so I called my vet who said it was probably due to the post-op pain of the surgery. I persisted that something wasn't right about my baby and took him back in first thing in the morning. At first, they diagnosed him with possible aspiration pneumonia and treated him with antibiotics. When that didn't seem to help, my vet considered a heart problem and referred me to a larger vet hospital . My Oliver had his first kitty echocardiogram and was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. He was initially put on the medication atenolol which helped some. I then got a referral to a specialist, a kitty cardiologist, who put my Ollie on verapamil and lasix every 12 hours, as well as a baby aspirin 2 times a week. The cardiologist is the most wonderful vet. Oliver went to see her once a year for a repeat echo and he is now off the lasix and baby aspirin. He only has to take the verapamil every 12 hours. His cardiologist says he could be the spokeskitty for verapamil as he is doing so well, he now goes back in 18 months for a follow up. I apologize for this being so long, but please be persistent with your sweet Maxie. Are there any specialist's in your area or could your vet refer you to one. (Mine is 2+ hours away) I'll be keeping you and your Maxie in my prayers.

[elizabethann]

Oh I'm so glad Ollie is doing well. Give him a hug for me, will you?

There are special animal hospitals in Mass. that I could be referred to. The vet said to watch him for now. That medication is not necessary at this point. He suggested I put Maxie on a diet to see if that relieves some of the extra work his heart has to do at his current weight. That will be very hard because Maxie hoards his food. He was abandoned as a kitten so he had to fend for himself. When he sees food, watch out! He even eats the dogs food (wet AND dry).

Thank you so much for replying to my thread and letting me know about Ollie. Much appreciated.

[Puffin]

Hi,

Please follow up with your vet on this. Be diligent in treament.

I had a wonderful cat named Smudge. He looked a lot like your cat, big and white! I loved him.

He went undiagnosed with the condition for five years, due to negligence of the vet. I recently won a settlement from him for his ineptitude. By the time I got him to proper diagnosis and treatment it was too late.

So don't delay in treating this, as it is progressive.

Best wishes for your big guy!

Lisa

[PJSZOO]

Hi, just wondering how Maxie is doing? Hope he is well, I'm keeping him (and you) in my prayers.

[elizabethann]

How sweet - thanks.

Maxie is doing fine. I've been getting him to exercise alot more (he's strictly an indoor cat). I bought him and Cosmo a kitty condo (boy those things are expensive - but worth it) and they play on it and end up chasing each other around the apartment so that gets him moving. He is not on any medication at this time, but he is on a diet. He's not happy about it, but too bad.

Thank you again for asking! Maxie says "howdy" to you and to Ollie.

[Sonia59]

I have no advice at all, but I think you already had good ones above.
I just wanted to tell you that Maxie is very handsome! Prayers to your very precious friend! ;)

[kb2yjx]

I know you both will take care of your cats!! The k/d( canned regular) I found is like a hockey puck, and the cats did not like it. BUT, Hill's also makes a MINCED version of k/d. I do mash it down with a spoon(Raven has no teeth), there are what I think are pieces of marrow in the food, and there is also this white stuff that I think is rice, I smash that,too. I have called and emailed them about this, but to no avail.
Our, Riley(will be 5 8/28), was diagnosised at 8 months with left ventricular hypertrophy and a Grade III cardiac murmur. I noticed one day when my husband was playing with him that he became short of breathe and had a bluish tint to his lips. Being a nurse, I knew something was wrong!! We are SOOO lucky, Riley is doing great, takes no meds, eats a regular diet, and plays!!! He does get a cardiac ultrasound yearly. The ONLY drawback to that is his chest has to be shaved!!! When he was first diagnosed, I thought we were not going to have much time left becasue of the symptoms that I saw.
We also have 3 kidney cats. One is controlled by the k/d diet. Unfortunately, the girls, have to get the sub q fluids. They tolerate having that done. Raven eats the k/d, but Molly, the oldest, is at the stage now, where I just want her to keep eating. I know she is eating food with a higher protein %, but at least she is eating and enjoying it!!!
I will say some prayers for Ollie and Maxie, and for their Moms, too!!!! Sandra/ Raven's Mother

[sasha the cat]

My KatMa googled "feline hypertrophic cardiomyopahty". You can click onto [b]http://tinyurl.com/czqce[b] to call up the google search. Lots of information for you to read.

We hope your Maxie is feeling better and we are right here cheering both of you on. Maxie, get well soon!

[elizabethann]

Thank you Sasha the cat!