How long do cats live with HCM?

What is the prognosis for a cat with HCM?

The prognosis for cats with HCM is highly variable, and mean survival times are determined by the cat’s presentation and clinical signs of HCM. One retrospective study reported median survival times (MST) for cats with subclinical HCM, and those presented with CHF, ATE, and syncope (8).

How often should a cat with HCM have an echocardiogram?

After an initial diagnosis of mild HCM, cats should have their echocardiogram rechecked within 3-6 months to assess progression of the disease. If no changes are noted, either bi-annual or annual echocardiographic evaluation is recommended.

What is the life expectancy of a cat with congestive heart failure?

The prognosis for cats with advanced disease that have experienced congestive heart failure or thromboembolism is highly variable, with some cats succumbing to their disease within days to weeks and some cats responding well to medications to live for more than a year or two.

What is the prognosis for a cat with heart failure?

The prognosis for a cat with moderate to severe heart failure, unfortunately, is guarded to poor. Survival, on average, is only a few months. A veterinarian may prescribe one or more medications to manage a cat’s condition.

How is HCM diagnosed in cats?

HCM is diagnosed by echocardiography, a technology that uses sound waves to create an image of the heart. In cats with HCM, these images reveal the thickened walls and constricted volume of the left ventricle of the heart. However, similar heart thickening is also caused by other common conditions, including high blood pressure and hyperthyroidism.

What is the life expectancy of a cat with HCM?

Cats that do not display any clinical signs are often able to survive for years with only mildly compromised heart function. HCM is most commonly a progressive disease, and findings that suggest a worse prognosis include congestive heart failure, thromboembolism, and hypothermia (low body temperature).

What tests are used to diagnose HCM in cats?

Chest radiographs (x-rays), an electrocardiogram (ECG), and an echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) are tests often recommended to confirm a suspected diagnosis of HCM and to determine how advanced the heart disease is. How is Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) in cats treated?

Does ECG show heart rhythm in cats with HCM?

ECG is essential for the characterisation of arrhythmias, but has limited value in cats with normal heart rhythm. Some cats with HCM will exhibit anterior fascicular block pattern, which although associated with HCM, does not help determine optimal clinical management.

Why would a cat need an echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) is often recommended to confirm a suspected diagnosis of Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) and to determine how advanced the heart disease is. An examination performed by your veterinary surgeon may reveal one or more of the following:

How often should a cat with HCM have a chest xray?

If your cat is diagnosed with HCM but has no symptoms, a routine physical examination and one or more specialised tests (i.e. an echocardiogram, chest radiographs, ECG) may be recommended every six to twelve months to monitor for any progression of the disease.

Is heart failure in cats difficult to treat at home?

Heart failure in cats is a difficult disease to pick up at home, and can be even harder to treat. This is what you need to know about this challenging condition. Next up is a question from Mary. She has a cat that’s been diagnosed with heart failure that was only diagnosed when the disease was quite advanced.

How long can a cat live with congestive heart failure?

Cats with congestive heart failure can live anywhere from a week to three years, depending on severity of the disease and treatment. The right time to euthanize a cat with congestive hear failure is completely dependent on the severity of the diagnosis, as well as the severity of symptoms.

What is the life expectancy of a cat with cardiomyopathy?

Certainly, most cats have a life expectancy of between six and 18 months; and up to to 3 years with proper medication. With a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy, the survival rate reduces to between three months and three years.

What is the prognosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats?

According to Dr. Faerber, once hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has progressed to congestive heart failure in cats, the prognosis is bleaker: “Cats with more severe changes to their heart, congestive heart failure or thromboembolism are at a greater risk for complications and sudden death,” Dr. Faerber says.

What is the prognosis for congestive heart failure in cats?

The prognosis for congestive heart failure in cats depends on how advanced the disease is, as well as how the cat responds to treatment.

When to euthanize a cat with congestive heart failure?

If your cat has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure, you should euthanize your cat when it begins experiencing these serious symptoms: While it might seem like an impossible decision, if your cat is experiencing these symptoms and has already been diagnosed with heart failure, you should absolutely put him/her down.

How does HCM progress in cats?

Progression of HCM in Cats Over time, HCM causes the heart muscle to thicken and become infiltrated by fibrous scar tissue. This alters the structure and function of the heart in several ways. Changes in the heart muscle make the right and left ventricles less stretchy and compliant. This means less blood fills the heart between contractions.

How to tell if your cat has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) in Cats. A heart murmur or arrhythmia may be heard on an annual physical exam by your veterinarian and can be the first clinical sign. For this reason, any cat with a heart murmur or arrhythmia should ideally be worked up to rule out underlying heart disease (see “Diagnosis” below).

What is the prognosis of HCM in cats?

The outlook for cats diagnosed with HCM varies dramatically. In some cases, HCM worsens quickly once diagnosed; in other cases, cats with mild disease may live symptom-free for years. The prognosis is directly related to the severity of the disease and its complications, if present.

How old do cats have to be to have HCM?

HCM typically affects cats in the young adult years, between 1–5 years of age, although cases can emerge as early as 3 months or as late as 10 years. HCM has a strong familial link, with increased prevalence occurring in certain breeds (Maine Coon Cats, ragdolls, British shorthairs, American shorthairs, and Devon rexes).

How long can a cat live with a heart murmur?

The life expectancy depends on the cause of the murmur: cats with benign or innocent murmurs will have a normal life span, while cats with heart murmurs caused by life threatening structural defects of the heart may only live for months or a few years. In some cases, sudden death of affected cats can even occur.

How is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy diagnosed in cats?

Echocardiography is the gold standard for the diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats. It is non-invasive, very accurate, and usually very well tolerated by cats. Early diagnosis and proper treatment and monitoring can improve your cat’s quality of life.

What kind of tests are used to diagnose heart disease in cats?

An electrocardiogram (EKG, ECG) is used to evaluate the heart rhythm if an arrhythmia is suspected. Other blood tests such as BNP, troponin and genetic tests are sometimes used to further investigate the heart disease in cats.

Do cats with HCM have a gallop rhythm?

Many cats with HCM develop a fast heart rate, and/or a heart murmur, and/or a gallop rhythm (an extra heart sound) as the disease advances. These signs cannot be relied upon, however, to indicate the presence of disease before it becomes severe, and all these signs occur with other forms of heart disease in cats and so are not predictive of HCM.

What kind of ECG does a cat with HCM have?

The ECG findings in cats with HCM include left anterior fascicular block, a pattern of left ventricular enlargement (QRS complex >0.04 sec and R wave >0.9 mV), intermittent ventricular premature complexes (VPCs), and sinus arrhythmia [1, 9, 10].

What happens if a cat has mild HCM?

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy may be mild, moderate or severe. Cats with HCM may develop heart failure, die suddenly, or form a clot inside the heart that then breaks loose and travels to different regions of the body (most commonly the hind legs). Only cats with severe HCM develop heart failure.