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Lost my 3 year old kitty to HCM and I'm heartbroken.

Dee Simon

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Feb 28, 2018
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Hi, my 3 year old kitty died last week from congestive heart failure due to HCM. I'm utterly heartbroken. We purchased him a breeder in Southern California who never told us how common the disease is or that we should get him scanned as a preventative measure. Do you know how common HCM is in the breed and can they live a normal life if they test positive? Do all breeders have some cats that will die from HCM before the age of five? I loved my Sphynx more than anything but I’m having serious doubts about getting another one because I never want to go through this again. Thanks for your help and understanding. --Dee
 

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Sheldon13

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She was a beautiful cat. I’m terribly sorry you had to go through this with her. I just popped in to offer my support. Other members have HCM experience and will chime in.


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Catzzzmeow

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I am so sorry for your loss. HCM has unfortunately become more prevelant with this breed. Even the most responsible of breeders can have this creep up in their blood lines. There are no gaurantees, but responsible breeders now scan breeding cats yearly and provide proof of scans in hopes that they can keep their breeding lines clear. Any signs of HCM, responsible breeders no longer breed the parents. Our one girl has a form of HCM which was diagnosed at age 3 after t\yearly scans ...we scan yearly knowing there are possible issues with the breed. Our breeder has been very supportive which is wonderful.
 

Toa and Ross

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My heart breaks for you. So very sorry for the loss of your boy. What a handsome boy he was!
As the others say HCM did became more prevelant with sphynx. A responsable breeder always scans the parents before start breeding. But even with scaned parents a kitten can HCM. You can let a sphynx scan every year so when the sphynx has HCM you and the vet can make a plan for the health of your sphynx. Depending on the stage your sphynx still can live a long and happy live with HCM (with or without meds).

But that all is for later concern. First take the time to grieve. Losing your boy all of the sudden was a shock. Big hugs for you.

Natasja
 

Yoda mom

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@Dee Simon , welcome to the lair family which is here for you with sincere condolences for the loss of your boy to HCM - we are here for you (((((comforting hugs))))))
I am sad to learn your handsome boy got his angel wings to HCM . Thank you for sharing his picture.

HCM is devastating I know all to well personally - lost my girl at age 2
May she and your handsome boy be at the bridge flying pain free and whole sharing stories of all the love they knew in this world .

There are members with sphnyx kitties with HCM amd heart related issues that will chime in .
we have many senior kitties that have lived long lives. Keep in mind often we see more threads when we help each other dealing with health issues , and it is not as often we see posts when all are fine and healthy .

Currently 3 out of 4 of mine have heart murmurs we are monitoring and vet will place on medication when she said she believes it is time .

My one kitty without HCM issues to-date , I got from a breeder who regularly yearly HCM scans and lists the scan dates on her site.
Responsible breeders will do regular HCM scans of sires and dames and manage their breeding program accordingly for the betterment of the sphynx breed.
As mentioned there are no guarantees even with all the attentiveness amd HCM scans . It does appear the sphynx can have HCM creep up as mentioned even with the most reputable breeders.
You pose a good question about breeders sharing their personal experiences with any loses at an early age to HCM .

I was so afraid to open my heart again to a sphynx after losing my girl to HCM complications - saddle thrombosis embolism - F.A.T.E as it is called . I had never heard of this gut wrenching possibility till i went through it with my girl.

HCM is a lot to wrap your heart around when deciding to take the leap to open your heart and home to another sphynx- I completely understand and have felt that way.

It's a personal decision. I decided to take the leap and adopt in her memory and honor.
Some members treasure that one first love - and that is right for their hearts.


Follow your heart -
I know the rawness of the pain and heart ache you are feeling - give yourself time to heal and hold tight to the fondest memories - and do what is best for your heart.
Your boy only knew your love . And that's a love we would not have missed for the world.

(((Hugs ))) to you during this heartfelt time.

We are here for you

Fly free sweet boy


"Replied the glorious cat
For I will whisper into their hearts
That I am always with them
I just am....forever and ever and ever. "
-from poem for cats
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JSal

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Feb 15, 2018
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I'm so sorry for your loss. She was a beautiful cat. While HCM is somewhat prevalent in the breed, not all cats develop it. Sphynx cats can live to be 14 or older. I would give yourself some time and decide to do what is best for you.
 

Robin Matsumoto

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Aug 5, 2016
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Hello,
I’m so sorry for your loss and my condolences. Last month I loss my female sphynx, not even 3 years old to HCM. Do I blame the breeder? I don’t know but when I called him and gave the breeder the horrible news, even he felt awful. I think breeders can scan their cats perfectly and still this insidious disease may pop up. I never cried so hard when I lost my hairless girl and I felt cheated that I didn’t get to know her more. I feel your pain.My cat’s playmate (a male sphynx, same age) misses her dearly, he went thru all the rooms looking for his friend. I feel so much joy having these special cats in my life and yes I’m on a waiting list to get another one later this year. My boy sphynx needs a playmate and fill a small hole in my heart . I hope that you can heal your heart some day and wish all the best of positive vibes sending your way.


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JSal

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Feb 15, 2018
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Hello,
I’m so sorry for your loss and my condolences. Last month I loss my female sphynx, not even 3 years old to HCM. Do I blame the breeder? I don’t know but when I called him and gave the breeder the horrible news, even he felt awful. I think breeders can scan their cats perfectly and still this insidious disease may pop up. I never cried so hard when I lost my hairless girl and I felt cheated that I didn’t get to know her more. I feel your pain.My cat’s playmate (a male sphynx, same age) misses her dearly, he went thru all the rooms looking for his friend. I feel so much joy having these special cats in my life and yes I’m on a waiting list to get another one later this year. My boy sphynx needs a playmate and fill a small hole in my heart . I hope that you can heal your heart some day and wish all the best of positive vibes sending your way.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
My heart goes out to you. I'm so sorry for your loss.
 

Anita

Lairian
Joined
Dec 21, 2014
Messages
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Hi, my 3 year old kitty died last week from congestive heart failure due to HCM. I'm utterly heartbroken. We purchased him a breeder in Southern California who never told us how common the disease is or that we should get him scanned as a preventative measure. Do you know how common HCM is in the breed and can they live a normal life if they test positive? Do all breeders have some cats that will die from HCM before the age of five? I loved my Sphynx more than anything but I’m having serious doubts about getting another one because I never want to go through this again. Thanks for your help and understanding. --Dee
I'm so sorry for your loss! I lost my first boy at age 3 on February 16th this year due to HCM, confirmed by necropsy. Total shock for us and we struggled with getting another Sphynx too! We have a one year old, from the same breeder and now we worry for her health.
 

Silke

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So sorry for your loss. :(

As has been said, HCM is a big factor in the breed, but responsible breeders try to minimise the risk and scan yearly.
Unfortunately there are a lot of backyard / irresponsible breeders who don't scan, and whose breeding cats may have it and pass it on to the kittens.
All mine are non-breeding, spayed girls, and all of them were adopted as adults / young adults, so I have no information on their parentage at all, and there is no place around here that does HCM scans. I do have a very good vet, but she's not a specialist and not equipped to do the scans. (I've asked.) I'd have to take them to Munich to get it done. (8hr round trip minimum.)

I'd be heartbroken too, if I lost any one of them.
 

Dee Simon

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Feb 28, 2018
Messages
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Thanks, everyone. I appreciate the kind words. It really helps. I'm shocked that he died so young and wish that the breeder had informed me about the risk of HCM. I would've got him tested had I known about it. I really trusted this breeder so much that I purchased another cat from her last year. I've already signed him up for pet insurance and plan to get him tested for HCM as soon as possible. Sphynxes are such a wonderful breed and I really want to get another one but I'm concerned about making another major emotional investment in a pet that might only last a few years. If I do get another one, I'm definitely not going to the same breeder.

Does anyone know of any good, reputable breeders in the Southern California area? Feel free to PM me. Any info would be appreciated.
 

TheTopaz

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Joined
Mar 8, 2012
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I am very sorry for your loss, it's so heartbreaking. I agree with Sheldon13 and I would not go with the same breeder again, even if it was just happenstance, I think it could cause me to be stressed about it happening again. I also sent you a PM @Dee Simon .

I have lived with HCM too (for the past 5 years) and I will add that there appear to be significant differences in sphynx cat health and longevity when you look at breeders practices more closely. That being said, it's hard to know what to look for in a breeder sometimes, especially if you don't have much experience (there is not an abundance of helpful resources). No breeder can "guarantee" HCM free however hopefully the HCM risk can be mitigated, with any future sphynx and with yearly HCM scanning.
https://www.quora.com/Why-are-sphynx-cats-so-expensive
 

sassyskye79

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Apr 7, 2009
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Thanks, everyone. I appreciate the kind words. It really helps. I'm shocked that he died so young and wish that the breeder had informed me about the risk of HCM. I would've got him tested had I known about it. I really trusted this breeder so much that I purchased another cat from her last year. I've already signed him up for pet insurance and plan to get him tested for HCM as soon as possible. Sphynxes are such a wonderful breed and I really want to get another one but I'm concerned about making another major emotional investment in a pet that might only last a few years. If I do get another one, I'm definitely not going to the same breeder.

Does anyone know of any good, reputable breeders in the Southern California area? Feel free to PM me. Any info would be appreciated.
Who did you get your last 2 cats from!? I am looking in the Southern California area for a breeder.
 

Bosskitty

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Jan 27, 2020
Messages
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Hi, my 3 year old kitty died last week from congestive heart failure due to HCM. I'm utterly heartbroken. We purchased him a breeder in Southern California who never told us how common the disease is or that we should get him scanned as a preventative measure. Do you know how common HCM is in the breed and can they live a normal life if they test positive? Do all breeders have some cats that will die from HCM before the age of five? I loved my Sphynx more than anything but I’m having serious doubts about getting another one because I never want to go through this again. Thanks for your help and understanding. --Dee

sending you love x
 

Robin Matsumoto

Lairian
Joined
Aug 5, 2016
Messages
143
Points
81
Hi, my 3 year old kitty died last week from congestive heart failure due to HCM. I'm utterly heartbroken. We purchased him a breeder in Southern California who never told us how common the disease is or that we should get him scanned as a preventative measure. Do you know how common HCM is in the breed and can they live a normal life if they test positive? Do all breeders have some cats that will die from HCM before the age of five? I loved my Sphynx more than anything but I’m having serious doubts about getting another one because I never want to go through this again. Thanks for your help and understanding. --Dee
I’m so sorry for your loss, I was in your shoes 3 years ago and it’s so devastating to lose a member of your family. I lost my sweet girl to HCM just before she turned 3 yrs old. The breeder didn’t have a clue about HCM that affect these cats nor did he screen his cats. It’s taken me 2 years to get over her passing the rainbow bridge.. After a year and a half, I brought another female sphynx baby into my home. Do your homework on the breeder have your sphynx scanned every year and be proactive .God Bless
 
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