Thread: Odds of an MC with HCM

Thanks for that, I appreciate the research..

HCM is the thickening of the cats walls around their heart, and although "common" to MCs the first indication can unfortunately be death. Although more common in older, male cats it can also affect kittens. Symptoms can include rapid breathing, anorexia, lethargy, coughing etc. It can be treated with beta blockers, diuretics etc and early diagnosis is treatable. Although it is possible to test parents and kittens, I am not positive that there is any test that can show a cat may develop etc. For a dianosd cat, on treatment, life expectancy is not far off a healthy cat.

HCM is not nice, but cat can still live a full life with a bit of tlc and a good vet. Heart goes out xxxx

To NCarver. .. to put my post in very simple terms my father, son and grand daughter have the human form of HCM and I am a carrier. I have had 3 cats and 1 dog with HCM. My two older cats were put on beta blockers and diuretics and lived to 11 and 14. My younger cat died suddenly at 11 months from it, hence testing the related older cats and getting treatment early. My King Charles Cavalier was in very advanced stages, swollen purple tongue, drowning in lung fluid, over heating, Vet wanted to put him down aged 2 but we persevered and he lived to 9.

I agree with how painful this condition can be for a cat but it is not a death sentence if treated right. The death can be painful but can be avoided or a vet can intervene before it gets too much.

Bristol Univercity research states that 34% of coonies are affected; that's a third of all coonies! Scarey!!! I also have had CH (spastic) cats that vets have said to put down and have lived good lives.