Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Symptoms and Treatments

The name of this condition literally means a thickening of the heart muscle, and in effect the walls of the heart become very swollen and stiff so that the heart cannot beat effectively or circulate the blood efficiently. The condition is largely genetic and appears to be brought on by stress, which puts too much pressure on the heart to push out sufficient blood to match the adrenaline trigger.

Sometimes the first sign of this is that the cat has a heart attack; diagnosis is confirmed by diagnostic X-ray, blood tests and an ECG.

In slow onset the cat will present with a gradual increase in symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, because the circulation is not efficient enough to carry away fluid from around the lungs, and he will be very lethargic. Sometimes he will suffer fainting attacks because blood isn't reaching the brain due to a low blood pressure from compromised muscle tone and contraction.

Occasionally you will see a cat sitting up and appearing to be reluctant to lie down. It's likely that he is also suffering with congestive cardiac failure which will result in more and more fluid settling in and around the lungs.

There is no cure for this condition since there is nothing that can be done about thickened cardiac muscle, but if the onset has been caused by stress an owner can try to help the cat by reducing the possibilities of stress in the home. This may require a few lifestyle changes on the part of his owner, but it is simple things like being aware the spaces he feels are his and where he can be private, and not startling him or introducing other cats and animals into the household unless he can be kept in a quiet room for the duration.

Other possibilities are some gentle therapies to bring about relaxation in the cat, such as gentle massage, sitting quietly with him and stroking gently, and possibly herbal remedies to help him regain an equilibrium. You may find that he sleeps even more than he used to, partly because the muscles aren't getting as much oxygen now as they used to and he feels more lethargic, and partly because he's likely to suffer a degree of depression because of the change in his lifestyle. Your vet will be able to advise you on care you can give him and any medication that might be thought useful.

He can still lead a fairly normal life but his will be quite a quiet existence and as he gets older it is likely that he will have recurrences and eventually need to be put to sleep.

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