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Ping Phil P: Newly diagnosed HCM
Phil, you know so much about HCM and I'd like to get your advice. I am
heartsick to have just been told that our nine year old cat has early HCM. My experience at the vet's was upsetting because I never got to see the cardiologist so everything was filtered through some new vet I never met before and I don't think she is very up to date on treatment. Please email me directly if you are willing and have time. Thanks so much. -yngver |
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Ping Phil P: Newly diagnosed HCM
On May 15, 12:40 pm, Nomen Nescio wrote:
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- From: yngver I am heartsick to have just been told that our nine year old cat has early HCM. I felt the same way when TK was diagnosed 2 yrs ago. Thanks for your response. I am sorry to hear about TK, but glad to hear he/she is doing well. My experience at the vet's was upsetting because I never got to see the cardiologist so everything was filtered through some new vet I never met before and I don't think she is very up to date on treatment My first suggestion is that you should ask for a copy of the FULL report from the cardiologist (I assume that an ultrasound was done to make the diagnosis.....if not, get one done). Yes, diagnosis was by echocardiogram. They have a mobile cardiologist who visits the various cat clinics (and dog clinics too I guess) every few weeks. I will ask for the report when I go back next week. I don't know if they will give it to me. They have not been too great in the past about sharing medical records. My second suggestion is DON'T PANIC, which is easier said than done. My wildcat is still doing fine after 2 years and is still a wildcat. That's good to hear. I'm not exactly panicking, but I am still hearbroken. I was praying her heart murmur was innocent. She is asymptomatic, which I know is a good sign, and by x-ray there was no heart enlargement as yet. The echo showed some slight thickening of the ventricular wall and I think she said of the septum too, but since I was in shock and they never gave me anything in writing, it's hard to know if I got it straight. Also some mitral regurgitation (I think) which she said was producing the murmur. It was a grade 1 and the vet thought it was grade 2 now--which is why the echo was ordered. I'm not as knowledgable as Phil P., but I've learned quite a bit about HCM from Phil and discussions with a first rate cardiologist. So I could help you out, a bit, in figuring out what the situation is if Phil is unavailable. I very much appreciate your advice. What treatment has been prescribed? Atenolol, twice a day. I asked if she should be on anti-coagulants and they said there was no "swirling"--you probably know what that means-- and that she was not at risk for blood clots at this point. I think that means no left atrial enlargement? The vet I talked to was trying to use lay terms, I guess assuming most people won't understand the terminology or don't want to know. Her heart rate was 200 and I have read that the prognosis is not as good if the HR is that high. But how much of that is from being scared at the vet's? Our other cat has occasionally had that high a heart rate at the vet's office and she doesn't have a heart problem. Her blood pressure was low normal, 100/60 I think they said. I know the top number was 100. I am worried the atenolol might make her blood pressure too low. I think the cardiologist is okay but I would rather be in a position to talk to her directly myself, so I am thinking of trying to find a cardiologist that sees you directly. Any advice is much appreciated. -yngver |
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Ping Phil P: Newly diagnosed HCM
On May 16, 5:10 am, Nomen Nescio wrote:
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- He's doing REAL well. His last echo was in October and the HCM seems to be somewhat in remission. The cardiologist at Tufts said that although the heart dimensions are still out of the "normal" range (more normal than the first echo), TK, functionally, is not suffering from HCM. Wow! That's really great news. Do you attribute the improvement to the diltiazem? I have read that in studies, it can reverse some of the damage. I don't think the same is true of atenolol. She's your cat, you paid for the echo, you're entitled to a copy of the report. The full report should be a couple of pages with 20 - 30 dimensions. I've encountered reluctance to provide the full report, also. The usual line is "You wouldn't understand it". Just don't take "No" for an answer. Eventually, they'll get you a copy just to get you to go away. My vet won't even wait for me to ask, anymore. They FAX me a copy of any test results as soon as they get it. Okay. I will insist. My regular vet, who wasn't there that day, is usually pretty reasonable and I think he will give me more details when I see him Tuesday. On the other hand, he's the one who told us the heart murmur was probably innocent, especially since the x-rays showed nothing abnormal. Just from what you're saying, it sounds like you caught it very early. I'd have to see some of the numbers, but it does not seem all that bad. TK developed a grade 4 murmur in less than a year. This was over about six months. We had noticed our cat was favoring one leg and having trouble climbing stairs and jumping up to the cat tree (now I wonder if her heart might have had something to do with it) and our vet diagnosed degenerative joint disease. At the same exam, he said he thought he heard a very faint heart murmur but wasn't positive. Since he was going to do x-rays of her spine and legs anyway, he also did several veiws of the heart. The x-rays showed loose bits of cartilege in her knee (stifle) joints so we have naturally assumed that her reluctance to jump was due to that. She has responded very well to Cosequin. This spring at her exam the vet said the murmur was easier to hear and that's why he ordered the echo. Our vet put him on aspirin immediately. Good thing, too. When we got him in for his echo, he had some serious mitral regurgitation. I was there when they did the echo and the cardiologist didn't even have to tell me how bad it was. I could see from the doppler that we had a big problem. The vet said there is some mitral regurgitation which causes the murmur, but isn't that what causes any heart murmur in an HCM cat? I wish they would have let me be there for the echo, but the vet said the cardiologist wouldn't allow it so I had to sit in the waiting room and wait for the vet to come out and tell me what the cardiologist said. I am a little concerned that our cat wasn't prescribed aspirin therapy. She said it wasn't necessary, but like you are saying, I'm not sure I trust what the vet conveyed to me without seeing the actual report. Atenolol, twice a day. Ok, she's getting a beta blocker. TK gets diltiazem which is a calcium channel blocker. They both have a similar effect on the heart by slowing it down and relaxing the heart muscle. I'm not sure why they would choose Atenolol over diltiazem. Especially since her blood pressure is normal (I believe diltiazem does not lower blood pressure all that much). You may want to inquire about that at the next opportunity. I certainly will. She goes back Tuesday for another blood pressure and heart rate check. I was told the cardiologist prescribed atenolol to lower her heart rate. Will diltiazem also do that? I asked if she should be on anti-coagulants and they said there was no "swirling"--you probably know what that means-- and that she was not at risk for blood clots at this point. It sounds pretty mild. It's the turbulence (swirling?) that starts the blood cells clumping together. Okay, thanks for explaining. The vet said that is specifically something the cardiologist would look for on the next u/s and if she saw anything she would prescribe an anticoagulant. I think that means no left atrial enlargement? Not necessarily. Okay, I guess I just assumed because she didn't mention it--just left ventricle and septum or septal wall, not sure of the exact wording. That always irritates me. Generally, if you tell the vet that you want the details, they'll take the time to explain it to you. I did want to know, but when you are in shock it's hard to take it all in. I had to write it down when I got home so I remembered even what did sink in. I wanted them to give me something in writing but all the discharge instructions said were "your cat has some very mild heart enlargement which can be controlled by medication." Really vague and not very helpful when I was trying to explain all this to my husband. Her heart rate was 200 and I have read that the prognosis is not as good if the HR is that high. But how much of that is from being scared at the vet's? Our other cat has occasionally had that high a heart rate at the vet's office and she doesn't have a heart problem. TK's heart rate is always pushing 200 at the vet. I've got a $30 stethoscope that I check his heart with regularly. At home, he's doing about 120 beats/min awake and about 80 - 90 when I catch him sleeping. It goes up to about 150 when he decides that the stethoscope is a cat toy. Okay, I am going to buy a stethoscope. I could never find a pulse on our cats, even the skinny one, but I had been counting respirations. I can tell that her breathing is a little slower now but it was around 20 per minute at rest even before, and I had read that 20-30 is normal. I am glad to hear that even with heart rate getting up close to 200 at the vet's, TK is doing fine. Her blood pressure was low normal, 100/60 I think they said. I know the top number was 100. I am worried the atenolol might make her blood pressure too low. I'd be a bit concerned about that, also. They all said that was good, that her b/p was low but I wonder if that means the heart is not pumping so well. I have been watching her like a hawk on the atenolol to see if I see anything alarming but she seems her normal self so far. If you're willing to pay for another exam, I think it would be a good idea. What I'm thinking of doing is instead of waiting six months for her next echo, I might make an appt. with another cardiologist--if I can find one who will actually see patients instead of just consulting with your regular vet--and have the echo done again in a couple or three months. Or do you think I should do it sooner? My husband will object to paying another $400 for the echo but I don't mind. I think most cardiologists would rather have you give them the cat and go away. Yes, just from doing a search in our city, that seems to be how the cardiologists operate. I can only find three listed anyway, and one is the mobile cardiologist that just did this exam. My wife and I always insist on being there for the exam and pick up quite a bit of information just listening to the discussion between the cardiologist and the assistant. I try not the bother them during the exam, but always try to ask questions right after, when things are still fresh in the cardiologists mind. I would want to do that. After all, if it were me or my husband having the echo I'd want to know every last detail. When I was younger I even talked one vet into allowing me to be there for my cat's dental--it was my previous cat and she was older and I was terrified she wouldn't wake up from the procedure. I don't know why I thought being there and watching him clean her teeth would make a difference, but he allowed it. We take TK to Tufts University (Grafton, Mass.) It's a teaching hospital and we feel that that's the best place to get "cutting edge" technology and treatment. Well worth the 2 hr drive, although TK might disagree since he always gets a little extra poking and handling by a student. Do you have a good veterinary hospital in you area? You are so lucky to be located close to Tufts. I am in Chicago. The closest veterinary hospital would be University of Illinois which is about three hours or more. I don't know how cutting edge they are, however. Any advice is much appreciated. I could tell you quite a bit more if I could see some of the numbers from the echo. If you happen to have a FAX machine, you might be able to persuade them to send you a copy. I am going to ask for it in person Tuesday when I go back. Even if they say they have to charge me to make a copy. They were okay about giving me our cats x-rays and records to bring to the orthopedic surgeon for a consult, but then the surgeon's office didn't want to give them back. Said they don't like to let patients have them. I insisted. But, as far as I can tell, you've caught it, and started treating it, early. I would think her prognosis would be quite good. Thank you. Vet said cardiologist listed her prognosis as good if the meds stabilize her condition and fair if there is progression in six months. She said if the next echo shows no progression than prognosis would be upgraded. Hopefully, Phil P. will appear. He took the trouble to review TK's report (I scanned it and e-mailed it to him) when he was first diagnosed. At least half of what I know about HCM, I learned from Phil. I know--I've been on this ng for years and Phil is certainly an expert! I hope he reads this. When you get the report, let me know. We can go over some of the numbers. Thank you so much. I intend to get it Tuesday. Like I said, just from the vet telling me the cardiologist said it was very mild, I need to see for myself. Our cat is asymptomatic that I can tell, so that's good. She can't do as much as she used to because of the bad knees, but I see her still run up the stairs on occasion and she doesn't get out of breath. She has actually been more active since starting the Cosequin--I know her knees were hurting her. She is only 9.5, though-- just seems to young to be having all these problems. Thanks again. I'll be in touch when I get the report. -yngver Best of luck |
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Ping Phil P: Newly diagnosed HCM
"yngver" wrote in message oups.com... Hi Yngver, I'm sorry to hear about your cat and for the delayed reply. I'm knee deep in ferals and kittens! Just finished TNR-ing a 40-cat colony. I thought I take a break but it turns out that the 40-cat colony is actually part of a huge 100+ cat colony that stretches between several strip-malls off the highway. One of my partners saw a few cats we already TNR'ed from behind one mall at another mall more than a mile from where we trapped them. There goes my easy summer at the shelter... Yes, diagnosis was by echocardiogram. They have a mobile cardiologist who visits the various cat clinics (and dog clinics too I guess) every few weeks. I will ask for the report when I go back next week. I don't know if they will give it to me. They have not been too great in the past about sharing medical records. You've got to get a print out of the echo for your own information so you can monitor her condition and in case you want a second opinion or if she needs emergency treatment.. My second suggestion is DON'T PANIC, which is easier said than done. My wildcat is still doing fine after 2 years and is still a wildcat. That's good to hear. I'm not exactly panicking, That's good advice. You have to remain calm so you can make rational decisions. With all the advancements in feline cardiology, manny HCM cats are living near-normal lifespans- if its caught in the early stages-- which you have. I know of few HCM cats that are still going strong 6 years post-diagnosis- and these cats were't young when they were diagnosed- so, keep the faith. but I am still hearbroken. I was praying her heart murmur was innocent. She is asymptomatic, which I know is a good sign, and by x-ray there was no heart enlargement as yet. Most asymtomatic cats in the early stages of HCM have notmal x-rays. Later in the course of the disease the heart can start to look like a valentine because the enlargement of the atriums and the LV that comes to a point. Grade II isn't that bad at all. Most hemodynamically important murmurs are at least grade III. The echo showed some slight thickening of the ventricular wall and I think she said of the septum too, The two ventricles are separated by a septum called the intraventricular septum that's abbreviated on echo reports a "IVS". The IVS and ventricle posterior wall can become hypertrophied (symmetrical) or the IVS or posterior wall can be hypertrophied, but not both (asymmetric). A thickness of over 6 mm of either the LV or IVS is considered hypertrophied. You need to see the report so you'll know how much LV and IVS has hpyertrophied and so you can monitor any progression. "Slight thicking" doesn't sound bad at all. but since I was in shock and they never gave me anything in writing, it's hard to know if I got it straight. Also some mitral regurgitation (I think) which she said was producing the murmur. It was a grade 1 and the vet thought it was grade 2 now--which is why the echo was ordered. Mitral regurgitation can be caused by a hypertrophied IVS because it interferes with the ejection of blood through the LV outflow tract (LVOT on echo printouts). The LV needs to produce more pressue to move the blood because of the obstruction caused by the IVS- the increased pressure increases the velocity of the blood- which in turn creates a venturi that pulls the mitral valve into the LVOT. Mitral regurgitation can cause enlargement of the atrium. I'm not as knowledgable as Phil P., but I've learned quite a bit about HCM from Phil and discussions with a first rate cardiologist. So I could help you out, a bit, in figuring out what the situation is if Phil is unavailable. I very much appreciate your advice. What treatment has been prescribed? Atenolol, twice a day. I asked if she should be on anti-coagulants and they said there was no "swirling"--you probably know what that means-- and that she was not at risk for blood clots at this point. I think that means no left atrial enlargement? The vet I talked to was trying to use lay terms, I guess assuming most people won't understand the terminology or don't want to know. Most clots are formed in the left atrium when it enlarges. When the atrium enlarges blood flow through it slows down- like the water flow in a narrow stream slows down when the stream widens. When blood flow slows down- platelets can clump together and form clots (thrombi). Her heart rate was 200 and I have read that the prognosis is not as good if the HR is that high. But how much of that is from being scared at the vet's? Prpbably at least 60 bpm. Our other cat has occasionally had that high a heart rate at the vet's office and she doesn't have a heart problem. Her blood pressure was low normal, 100/60 I think they said. I know the top number was 100. I am worried the atenolol might make her blood pressure too low. Atenolol is more effective than diltiazem in controlling sinus tachycardia and LV outflow tract obstruction. But I think your cat's tachycardia was probably caused more from stress than the condition. I'd get a second opinion on the atenolol if I were you. I think the cardiologist is okay but I would rather be in a position to talk to her directly myself, so I am thinking of trying to find a cardiologist that sees you directly. Absatively! You have to be able to communicate with the cardiologist directly. Keep the faith! Best of luck, Phil |
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Ping Phil P: Newly diagnosed HCM
"Nomen Nescio" wrote in message ... Atenolol, twice a day. Ok, she's getting a beta blocker. TK gets diltiazem which is a calcium channel blocker. They both have a similar effect on the heart by slowing it down and relaxing the heart muscle. I'm not sure why they would choose Atenolol over diltiazem. Atenolol is a little more effective than diltiazem in controlling sinus tachycardia and LV outflow tract obstruction. The mitral rergurg is probable caused by a hypertrophied IVS- so it might help. But I don't think 200 bpm is all that high for a stressed cat. I have mixed feelings about atenolol. I'm really happy that TK is doing well! Phil |
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Ping Phil P: Newly diagnosed HCM
On May 17, 2:43 am, "Phil P." wrote:
"yngver" wrote in message oups.com... Hi Yngver, I'm sorry to hear about your cat and for the delayed reply. I'm knee deep in ferals and kittens! Thanks for your response, Phil. I know you don't hang around this ng too much anymore--neither do I--but I'm glad you still check in once a while. Yes, I know spring is kitten time all right! Just finished TNR-ing a 40-cat colony. I thought I take a break but it turns out that the 40-cat colony is actually part of a huge 100+ cat colony that stretches between several strip-malls off the highway. One of my partners saw a few cats we already TNR'ed from behind one mall at another mall more than a mile from where we trapped them. There goes my easy summer at the shelter... Wow, that is a huge colony! Good luck with them. Thank goodness you are helping these cats. Yes, diagnosis was by echocardiogram. They have a mobile cardiologist who visits the various cat clinics (and dog clinics too I guess) every few weeks. I will ask for the report when I go back next week. I don't know if they will give it to me. They have not been too great in the past about sharing medical records. You've got to get a print out of the echo for your own information so you can monitor her condition and in case you want a second opinion or if she needs emergency treatment.. My second suggestion is DON'T PANIC, which is easier said than done. My wildcat is still doing fine after 2 years and is still a wildcat. That's good to hear. I'm not exactly panicking, That's good advice. You have to remain calm so you can make rational decisions. With all the advancements in feline cardiology, manny HCM cats are living near-normal lifespans- if its caught in the early stages-- which you have. I know of few HCM cats that are still going strong 6 years post-diagnosis- and these cats were't young when they were diagnosed- so, keep the faith. Thanks for the info. I know some cats--some sources even say many cats--can live five years or more after diagnosis if it is caught when mild so I just hope our cat is one of them. She is only 9.5 so I just wish if it had to happen, it hadn't shown up for a few more years. It seems so unfair--I read that 85 percent of cats with HCM are males and I also thought if it's going to show up, it usually develops when they are younger than 9 but maybe with females it shows up later. I wonder if there has been any study to show whether the females with HCM are likely to have a milder form of the disease. but I am still hearbroken. I was praying her heart murmur was innocent. She is asymptomatic, which I know is a good sign, and by x-ray there was no heart enlargement as yet. Most asymtomatic cats in the early stages of HCM have notmal x-rays. Later in the course of the disease the heart can start to look like a valentine because the enlargement of the atriums and the LV that comes to a point. Grade II isn't that bad at all. Most hemodynamically important murmurs are at least grade III. Well, it was the vet who said he would judge it about a grade II. All they told me about the cardiologist is "she was able to find the murmur" which didn't strike me until later that maybe they were saying it is still a pretty faint murmur. I won't really know how she graded it until I get hold of the report, I suppose. The echo showed some slight thickening of the ventricular wall and I think she said of the septum too, The two ventricles are separated by a septum called the intraventricular septum that's abbreviated on echo reports a "IVS". The IVS and ventricle posterior wall can become hypertrophied (symmetrical) or the IVS or posterior wall can be hypertrophied, but not both (asymmetric). A thickness of over 6 mm of either the LV or IVS is considered hypertrophied. You need to see the report so you'll know how much LV and IVS has hpyertrophied and so you can monitor any progression. "Slight thicking" doesn't sound bad at all. No, what the vet who relayed the information to me said is "slightly thicker than normal" but you're right, I have to read the report. In sifting through my memories, I also *think* she said something to the effect of fairly normal heart function, but I'm not sure. I was so upset I was just hearing the fact that it was HCM and not so much about how much she was stressing that it was very mild. but since I was in shock and they never gave me anything in writing, it's hard to know if I got it straight. Also some mitral regurgitation (I think) which she said was producing the murmur. It was a grade 1 and the vet thought it was grade 2 now--which is why the echo was ordered. Mitral regurgitation can be caused by a hypertrophied IVS because it interferes with the ejection of blood through the LV outflow tract (LVOT on echo printouts). The LV needs to produce more pressue to move the blood because of the obstruction caused by the IVS- the increased pressure increases the velocity of the blood- which in turn creates a venturi that pulls the mitral valve into the LVOT. Mitral regurgitation can cause enlargement of the atrium. So if there is a murmur caused by mitral regurgitation, is that what they call obstructive HCM? I'm not as knowledgable as Phil P., but I've learned quite a bit about HCM from Phil and discussions with a first rate cardiologist. So I could help you out, a bit, in figuring out what the situation is if Phil is unavailable. I very much appreciate your advice. What treatment has been prescribed? Atenolol, twice a day. I asked if she should be on anti-coagulants and they said there was no "swirling"--you probably know what that means-- and that she was not at risk for blood clots at this point. I think that means no left atrial enlargement? The vet I talked to was trying to use lay terms, I guess assuming most people won't understand the terminology or don't want to know. Most clots are formed in the left atrium when it enlarges. When the atrium enlarges blood flow through it slows down- like the water flow in a narrow stream slows down when the stream widens. When blood flow slows down- platelets can clump together and form clots (thrombi). Thanks for explaining. Sounds like the cardiologist did not see any slow-down of blood flow. Her heart rate was 200 and I have read that the prognosis is not as good if the HR is that high. But how much of that is from being scared at the vet's? Prpbably at least 60 bpm. Thank you for letting me know that. I realize now that I should have bought a stethoscope and checked her heart rate at home back when they first told me about the murmur. Then I'd know her normal resting heart rate. She is always pretty scared at the vet's, and particularly this time since they took her in back for the echo and I wasn't allowed to be there with her. What really scares her is when the vet or a tech comes and scoops her away to take her in back. Our other cat has occasionally had that high a heart rate at the vet's office and she doesn't have a heart problem. Her blood pressure was low normal, 100/60 I think they said. I know the top number was 100. I am worried the atenolol might make her blood pressure too low. Atenolol is more effective than diltiazem in controlling sinus tachycardia and LV outflow tract obstruction. But I think your cat's tachycardia was probably caused more from stress than the condition. I'd get a second opinion on the atenolol if I were you. I am going to ask about it Tuesday when I go back to have her heart rate checked again, and to get her report. I'd like to know specificially why the cardiologist thinks atenolol is a better choice in this case than diltiazem. I think the cardiologist is okay but I would rather be in a position to talk to her directly myself, so I am thinking of trying to find a cardiologist that sees you directly. Absatively! You have to be able to communicate with the cardiologist directly. Keep the faith! Best of luck, Phil Thanks so much, Phil. I will post the results when I get a copy of the echo next week. I hope you will have time to take a look. I trust your advice on HCM and I very much appreciate your explaining it all to me. -yngver |
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Ping Phil P: Newly diagnosed HCM
"Phil P." Good luck Phil with the colonies. I have can see it will be a busy summer for you |
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Ping Phil P: Newly diagnosed HCM
On 18 May, 21:00, "Matthew" wrote:
"Phil P." Good luck Phil with the colonies. I have can see it will be a busy summer for you Same here Phil. I really do admire the work that you do, & appreciate exactly how hard it can be sometimes. I hope that this spring/Summer season isn't as hard as last year's, but If I am truely honest, I also look forward to some of the magnificent photos that you manage to scoop @ times of those feral colonies that you have reported to you. Some of last years photos were truely amazing- Especially the ones that were around the back of that restaurant... My, they really were huge for strays!! They looked like they had dined on better chow than we do!! Good Luck & Best Wishes, S;o) |
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Ping Phil P: Newly diagnosed HCM
On 15 May, 16:33, yngver wrote:
Phil, you know so much about HCM and I'd like to get your advice. I am heartsick to have just been told that our nine year old cat has early HCM. My experience at the vet's was upsetting because I never got to see the cardiologist so everything was filtered through some new vet I never met before and I don't think she is very up to date on treatment. Please email me directly if you are willing and have time. Thanks so much. -yngver I am ever so sorry to hear of your poor cats heart problems. it is always hard to take on board what problems our cats develop & even harder to cope with them..Yet we do because we love them so dearly..... I very much hope that things go ok for you, and that you can stay on top of this problem for a few years to come... Best Wishes, S;o) |
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Ping Phil P: Newly diagnosed HCM
On May 18, 4:37 pm, sheelagh wrote:
On 15 May, 16:33, yngver wrote: Phil, you know so much about HCM and I'd like to get your advice. I am heartsick to have just been told that our nine year old cat has early HCM. My experience at the vet's was upsetting because I never got to see the cardiologist so everything was filtered through some new vet I never met before and I don't think she is very up to date on treatment. Please email me directly if you are willing and have time. Thanks so much. -yngver I am ever so sorry to hear of your poor cats heart problems. it is always hard to take on board what problems our cats develop & even harder to cope with them..Yet we do because we love them so dearly..... I very much hope that things go ok for you, and that you can stay on top of this problem for a few years to come... Best Wishes, Thank you for your good wishes. It is especially hard I think when younger cats have serious problems. Our cat is only 9. I read on the feline heart board about cats diagnosed with HCM when they are 16, 17 years old and I just wish so much, if our cat had to get this, why couldn't it have waited until she was old, when you expect things to start going wrong? However, since our cat acts about the same as she did before diagnosis, it's easy sometimes to pretend there is nothing wrong with her. She doesn't act like a sick cat. I don't think she feels as though there is something wrong with her heart. I just hope she stays at this stage for a long time. -yngver |
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