HCM in Kitten

[lego89]

Hello all,

Let me introduce myself! My name is Lee and I have two Sphynx babies. My first is Pekie who is 5 years old, he sadly went into heart failure in March 2012 - We give him medication 2 a day. He is our everything, our little fighter.

We recently adopted Mink, a 6 month old torty. She was being sold on Kijiji by a family who couldn't care for her kitten needs. We adopted her 3 weeks ago and were promised a full cardiology, vet exam and appropriate shots had been given. When we went to pick her up, the owners fumbled around and weren't able to give us ANY of her documents. At this stage we wanted to rescue this poor kitty from the horrible cold basement they were keeping her in, and deal with getting the contracts later.

Mink from day one has suffered from Herpes, the vet prescribed her omega 3 oil and said if her condition worsened to bring her back in. She is getting better, albeit slowly. Minky has always had a LOUD purr, almost gurgly (not sure if this is just a symptom of her herpes or if she just purrs like this). Recently, when she is cuddling with us she will suddenly start choking (2 -4 times) almost like the choking Pekie experiences when he is on the verge of an attack.

We phoned the breeder and asked if they had copies of the paperwork and scan results as the person who sold us Minky couldn't provide us with any. After much stumbling around the breeder said he doesn't have any copies of the paperwork for Minky, he also said that she did not have a heart scan. Really sketchy.

We are now absolutely terrified that this choking is the beginning of congestive heart failure.
We don't currently have the money to take her in for a cardiology exam. When we took her to the vet she didn't say anything about any heart murmurs or anything.

Does anyone have any advice as to what to listen/look out for in a kitten with the early signs of congestive heart failure?

Thank you in advance.

 

[ZiggyStardust]

Check Mink's resting breathing rate - not while purring. You'd like it to be 15-35 breaths per minute. If it's over 40 there could be a problem. And how does Mink lay when resting? Will she lay on her side at all? A constant loaf or sphinx position may mean fluid in the lungs or chest cavity. I hope that it's not CHF!

 

[Caloci]

I am so sorry to hear about your babies. It sounds like Minky has a better chance because of you.What does the vet say about Minky's heart? She is too young for a scan but I highly recommend getting her one at one year of age so you know what you are dealing with. Please let us know what you find out and how her condition changes.

Sorry you are meeting us under less than wonderful circumstances, but we are happy to have you and you will get lots of good advice here.

 

[Hairless Blessing]

Welcome to sphynxlair, good to have you.
I'm sorry for your loss and now dealing with this.
I don't have any experience, with this, but, other's here do.
I am glad, at least, she has you now and doesn't live, like she was living.
That's a great plus. Pray all is ok, with you new baby.
Keep us updated.

 

[lego89]

Check Mink's resting breathing rate - not while purring. You'd like it to be 15-35 breaths per minute. If it's over 40 there could be a problem. And how does Mink lay when resting? Will she lay on her side at all? A constant loaf or sphinx position may mean fluid in the lungs or chest cavity. I hope that it's not CHF!

Thanks so much for your reply! I checked her breathing last night and its around 45 p/min. She was sleeping with Pekie so that may have affected it, I will test again when I get home. She lies down curled up most of the time. I so hope it's not CHF too

 

[lego89]

Welcome to sphynxlair, good to have you.
I'm sorry for your loss and now dealing with this.
I don't have any experience, with this, but, other's here do.
I am glad, at least, she has you now and doesn't live, like she was living.
That's a great plus. Pray all is ok, with you new baby.
Keep us updated.

Sorry I didn't explain myself well. Pekie is still alive, he went into heart failure last year in March but thankfully survived. He is on medication twice a day and seems to be living a happy life. Thank you for your kind words, I'm so happy to have found this forum!

 

[lego89]

I am so sorry to hear about your babies. It sounds like Minky has a better chance because of you.What does the vet say about Minky's heart? She is too young for a scan but I highly recommend getting her one at one year of age so you know what you are dealing with. Please let us know what you find out and how her condition changes.

Sorry you are meeting us under less than wonderful circumstances, but we are happy to have you and you will get lots of good advice here.

Thank you!
We are meeting with the vet on Wednesday. When she had a checked over two weeks ago she measured her heart rate and didn't say anything was abnormal. We will get her a scan at 1 year. Thank you for your support!

 

[1sphynxlover]

I'm so happy you rescued her from such poor conditions. It's so heartwarming to know she is now receiving the love and attention she needs. It breaks my heart hearing stories like yours. I hope everything works out for her. Makes me feel good that she is now in a loving, caring home surrounded by love. God bless you.

 

[megnach]

I have a cat that has Herpes and she has coughing/choking fits several times a day along with sneezing during a flare up.

 

[Caloci]

Thanks so much for your reply! I checked her breathing last night and its around 45 p/min. She was sleeping with Pekie so that may have affected it, I will test again when I get home. She lies down curled up most of the time. I so hope it's not CHF too

45 is a bit high. You are counting only the inhales or exhales not both right? Try and get her when pekoe isn't laying with her.

Vito has mild/early HOCM. His breaths/min are stable at 24 when resting.

Kazoo my new kitten resp rate is 55/min. Waaaay too high. He is sick with something we believe is a virus or infection. We are in the process of finding out.

Check every night for a week and average. Make sure she has been resting for a while before you check.

 

[Embracing-Joyx4]

So sorry about your loss. Here is what you need to do check the breathing resting/not purring and a Vet can listen for murmurs. If you have no documentation and cannot obtain it just settle it in your mind and not continue to dwell on it. I will be praying for your kitty...that is one of God's creatures and you love it. See if you can get a BNP blood test...this measures enzymes in the blood and can detect abnormal stretching of the heart muscle. I hope this helps please inbox me.

Christina

 

[Embracing-Joyx4]

Also have doc check for URI, and it could even be allergies.Start given her Llysine. it comes in serveral forms. I like the powder it comes with a measuring spoon, Start with a half a scoop twice a day to boost his immune system. Prayers and Blessing sent your way from our kitties to yours!!

 

[ZiggyStardust]

Thanks so much for your reply! I checked her breathing last night and its around 45 p/min. She was sleeping with Pekie so that may have affected it, I will test again when I get home. She lies down curled up most of the time. I so hope it's not CHF too

That breathing rate is a little high. My Ash, who has HOCM, has a resting breathing rate of 22. It is good that she'll sleep curled up, though. Good luck tomorrow and let us know! Sending prayers!

 

[lego89]

So sorry about your loss. Here is what you need to do check the breathing resting/not purring and a Vet can listen for murmurs. If you have no documentation and cannot obtain it just settle it in your mind and not continue to dwell on it. I will be praying for your kitty...that is one of God's creatures and you love it. See if you can get a BNP blood test...this measures enzymes in the blood and can detect abnormal stretching of the heart muscle. I hope this helps please inbox me.

Christina

Hi Christina. Sorry I didn't explain myself well. Pekoe is still alive, he went into CHF march 2012 we are lucky that he is still with us and is living a happy life. He will be 6 this year!

Thank you for your advice. I will check Minky's heart rate again when she eventually stops playing and has a nap. Yesterday she was breathing around 45-50 per min which is high but might be to do with the URI she is currently battling...

 

[lego89]

45 is a bit high. You are counting only the inhales or exhales not both right? Try and get her when pekoe isn't laying with her.

Vito has mild/early HOCM. His breaths/min are stable at 24 when resting.

Kazoo my new kitten resp rate is 55/min. Waaaay too high. He is sick with something we believe is a virus or infection. We are in the process of finding out.

Check every night for a week and average. Make sure she has been resting for a while before you check.

Sorry to hear about Vito.

I hope you find out what's wrong with Kazoo (great name), let me know how he makes out...

I will be sure to check every night- thanks again

 

[lego89]

Thank you so much everyone, you are all so supportive and give great advice. Thank you!!!!!!!!!

 

[Graddydani]

Welcome to the Lair and I too am sorry it's under these circumstances but thank you so much for rescuing Mink. She is a lucky girl and i hope it's only the herpes affecting her breathing. Please keep us updated. Hugs to Pekie for being such a brave fighter.

 

[susi794]

Welcome to the family! Am so glad that your babies found you and that they are loved and cared for now. Please keep us informed. I will pray that your new baby doesn't have heart issues. I think you've come to the right place. We are chock full of information and experience collectively and we have the kindest members anywhere.
Hugs,
Susi and my gang of 4 legged kids.

 

[lego89]

thanks once again for all the great advice.

Minky seems to have beat her herpes infection and since then her breathing has slowed down. We will still be sure to get her scanned on her first birthday.

I will be sure to keep y'all updated!