Don't know what to do

[ranalashae]

I am wanting to get Nala tested for HCM, but I'm not really sure how to go about it. Regular vets can't do it can they? Can vets see if there any any issues with their heart that could lead to HCM? Does it cost a lot? Every once and a while her heart seems to beat very hard and a little fast... I don't know if I should worry about this or not, but I want to take her to the vet soon just to get her checked out anyways. Maybe I am just paranoid?

When I got Nala I sort of rushed into things with her breeder and I am scared that she could develop HCM. Long story short, I got talking to another breeder and she did not have very good things to say about the breeder I got Nala from. She also had a few cats from where I got Nala and two of them ended up having HCM... I'm not even sure if any of the cats were tested for it there.

Nala is over a year old now and I keep worrying more and more about it!
Any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[ckutkuhn7]

I used to be paranoid when I first got Snuffie because her heartbeat always seemed a little off. It was just my paranoia though.
She is a year old so she is at a good age to be tested. You would need to research your area and find out the closest place you could go. I'm sure there are many people on this site that could help you locate locations in your area that could test. I've heard the test can vary anywhere from $250 to $500 but I think it just all depends on where you go.

Goodluck, I'm sure others here will be more than happy to help you locate places that offer the test.

 

[Mews2much]

I hope you did not get her from the breeder I think you did.
Some cats shows have scans for 175.
Dr Meurs in Washington State does scans but it is not cheap.
Not all heart mumurs are HCM.

 

[ktate88]

I posted about this before, and it is still fairly inconclusive. I'm a receptionist at an animal hospital and this is what my vets and I decided to do for Niles...
-Listen to his heart every 3 months to screen for a murmor
-have an echocardiogram done at age 2, unless he shows signs earlier(murmor--which doesn't always mean HCM btw)

I have an e-mail in to one of the leading sphynx HCM researches-- Dr. Muers at WSU-- to ask if screen Niles would be helpful, conclusive, anything basically.

I feel his heart beat really fast sometimes but I'm thinking its partly because he is hairless...?

Check the vet schools closest to you, and metropolitan areas or bigger cities for cardiologists. Your vet may have a cardiologist they really like and could suggest to you.

 

[ckutkuhn7]

Check the vet schools closest to you, and metropolitan areas or bigger cities for cardiologists. Your vet may have a cardiologist they really like and could suggest to you.

YES!!! Great idea!!

 

[ranalashae]

Thanks I'll try to check some things out. Maybe take her to the vet and see what they say about her too. $175 sounds a lot better than $500 to me... I don't have a ton of money.

 

[ktate88]

I don't know how your vet is, but you may be able to call to ask re: veterinary cardiologist without having to make an appointment. Unless you want to start there of course.

UF vet school near me does screenings once a month for $150. We have had a cardiologist come to see great danes before and I want to say it was $275-375.

 

[dreaming_in_colour]

You want a veterinary cardiologist to do the scan. Not just a regular vet (kind of like the difference between seeing a human heart specialist and a family doctor). Based on the history of the other cats from the breeder, I would definitely get her scanned. Keep in mind some clinics or cardiologists require referrals before scanning. You may have to explain the situation to your vet to give you a referral to scan, especially if her examinations show no murmurs or abnormalities to the vet.

 

[susi794]

I would definitely scan her---I use a cardiologist at a vet clinic near Detroit--the scan costs $95. a cat with no hidden other fees. Check around--google feline cardiologists plus your area and see what you get. Also veterinary schools--training hospitals. Good luck!

 

[BareOnAHotTinRoof]

There's also a blood test that IDEXX labs has been working on and developing. It's called the Cardiopet ProBNP test. It's not very expensive, under $100. It works by detecting certain enzymes released by heart muscle when its damaged. They have the baseline numbers for what is considered safe and what cats are going to eventually succumb to heart disease. Always worth a try.

 

[ranalashae]

There's also a blood test that IDEXX labs has been working on and developing. It's called the Cardiopet ProBNP test. It's not very expensive, under $100. It works by detecting certain enzymes released by heart muscle when its damaged. They have the baseline numbers for what is considered safe and what cats are going to eventually succumb to heart disease. Always worth a try.

I haven't heard of that! I'll have to bring it up to my vet, thanks!

 

[Lauren]

I'm in the same boat. I really wanna get Kenny tested. It's a lot of money, but I think it'd be worth it for peace of mind.

 

[ranalashae]

I'm in the same boat. I really wanna get Kenny tested. It's a lot of money, but I think it'd be worth it for peace of mind.

Definitely. I know what you mean, I don't exactly have a lot of money to spare. I talked to a breeder around where I live and she is helping me find some cardiologists that just scan for HCM at a lower price. Hopefully I get it done sooner than later! Good luck with Kenny

 

[ktate88]

There's also a blood test that IDEXX labs has been working on and developing. It's called the Cardiopet ProBNP test. It's not very expensive, under $100. It works by detecting certain enzymes released by heart muscle when its damaged. They have the baseline numbers for what is considered safe and what cats are going to eventually succumb to heart disease. Always worth a try.

Thanks for this info!! Am going to have Niles blood tested at the time of his neuter.

For anyone wanting to have it done, tell your vet prior to your appointment as they have to order specific Cardiopet ProBNP blood tubes(Idexx provides free) for the collection.

The test isn't very expensive. I agree, should be less than $100 even with shipping.