Hi!! I'm New, Have 2! Baby girl has HCM

[PicklesBenito]

Hi!! My husband and I have two beautiful bald babies, Benito is our 3 year old white boy and Pickles is his two year old tabby sister. She is also the sweetest silly cute thing you have ever seen. They travel everywhere with us and I couldn't even imagine spending a night without them, as you guys know they really are family.

About a year ago our vet found Pickles had a heart murmur, we didn't want to jump to conclusions since sometimes kittens outgrow them. After further testing he discovered she has HCM. He put her on two different medications, atenolol and enalapril to be taken every day, plus 1/4 baby aspirin every three days. It seemed to be going well, she was taking the pills fine with no side effects.

Yesterday she had her 3rd Echo and her heart is still enlarging. I haven't been able to stop crying, he prescribed her a couple more prescriptions to take in addition to the atenolol and the enalapril but he didn't seem very optimistic since we haven't had any progress. I feel so scared and desperate, I am terrified I might loose her, so please if anyone has any information they can pass along I will try anything!!

Are their any changes I could make to her diet to help?

Also she has a heating pad that she is glued to but is it also helping her?

I love my vet but should I get a second opinion?

If so any specialists in the ny/nj area?


I really appreciate you taking the time to read this and any feedback would mean the world to me!! Here are a few pictures of my little goofball!

 

[MollysMom]

Welcome... they are both just precious! Sorry to hear of her condition. Has she seen a board-certified cardiologist? If you haven't already, check out the organization Hairless Hearts. They have a facebook page and web site. I find that the info differs between the 2 pages. They may be helpful to find a second opinion if you want one.

 

[PicklesBenito]

I believe my vet works with a cardiologist, but I'm not 100% sure. Thank you so much I am checking them out right now!!

 

[zoinks]

Welcome!

One of our boys has HCM so we are in the same boat.

I believe there is nothing that can be done to stop the progression of HCM.

From what I have learned the atenolol will only help with clinical signs of the HCM as it slows down the heart rate and reduces the oxygen demands on the heart.

I am sorry to say but it is a pretty hopeless condition in terms of what we can do to treat it.

Each cat progresses at a different rate and it is very hard to predict.

The treatment your vet is giving you seems very typical for moderate to severe HCM but you could see another cardiologist if you feel you need a second opinion.

By the way I am pretty sure the heating pad won't have any affect or do any harm.

My advice is to love your baby as hard as you can, make the most of however long you have together and follow the vets advice. Keep on top of the progression with scans. That is what I am doing

You can always look into natural medicine or multi vitamins which are supposed to help heart strength such as vetri science bio-cardio but I don't believe there is any scientific evidence that it does make a difference.

 

[admin]

Hello @PicklesBenito and welcome to Sphynxlair! what a cutie you have there! So glad you found us! As others have said, schedule an appointment with a cardiologist to verify her condition and go from there. Your vet should be able to recommend one for you locally. Please enjoy the community! (y)

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Welcome to The Lair. Your babies are adorable. I see you have been given solid advice. HCM is just horrible and has broken so many owner's hearts. Your babies know nothing but the present...just keep loving them.

Patti

 

[GizmosMommy]

They are adorable..you have gotten great advice. Hcm is just horrible. Enjoy every day and give lots of hugs and kisses ( I'm sure you already do ) lol

 

[PicklesBenito]

I made an appointment with this specialist for a second opinion just to make sure I am doing everything I can.

It's really nice to know we're not going through this alone I really appreciate all your comments!!!

 

[Jebsmom]

She's beautiful,hoping for the best for her.

 

[Nicolemorgan]

You are most definitely not alone! This is a fantastic community of people and all are welcome here with open arms! Your babies are stunning, thanks for posting photos! I hope you get all of the answers you are looking for and that the second from the cardiologist helps to answer some of your questions.

 

[Hairless Blessing]

Welcome to sphynxlair, good to have you. Your babies are dolls.
So sorry she has this diagnosis. Glad you are getting a second opinion.
Let us know what the specialist tells you. I will pray for her.

 

[NinaGato]

Welcome! Sorry to hear bout your girl. Having had two cardio cats I just say love them the best you can everyday til you can't.

 

[Condo commando]

Cardiologist is who could best treat her and answer your questions. I lost an older cat to HCM and I'm sorry anytime I hear someone else is dealing with it.

 

[ZiggyStardust]

I am so very sorry for the diagnosis for your little girl. Those pics are adorable! We have a cat with HCM, and is on the same meds as yours, except they switched him from aspirin to plavix about a year ago. He gets scanned every 6 months. He also has 2 separate vets: his regular one and his cardio vet. His regular one will confer with the cardio one when we need to put him on meds for something non heart related, but he goes to the cardio vet for his scans and they prescribe the meds for his heart. But it is hard to say how long either of us really have with our babies. All we can do is love them and give them quality, even if the quantity isn't what we hope for. ::HUGS::