Otis' Scan Results

[kauna]

Otis finally had his echo after the elevated Pro BNP level and the results are as I expected but not terrible.

The Verdict: Moderate HCM

However it is in the early stages and no medications are needed at this time. Recheck in 6m. Monitor breathing etc.

While I am extremely grateful he doesn't need medication, I am still disappointed. I hate this disease, I hate that we as sphynx owners have to go through this time and time again. My first sphynx Agnes was diagnosed at 5 and had mild heart failure also.

So for now we will continue keeping an eye and hopefully it doesn't progress as quickly. He doesn't know any different and I will try to keep it that way. Hugs to you all.

 

[Aryasmum]

@kauna those dreaded words we all hope not to hear. It’s always a gut punch, however, we treat our babies the same way we always do. Hugs back from me and Ary. We all love our little heart warriors.

 

[nudieluvr]

Sending lots of love. Great job keeping up on all of the cares and giving all of the love.

 

[nudebea]

Im glad to hear that Otis,s results were not worse than expected but I also know in your heart you would rather not be making this post in the first place. Just know that you're not alone and many will understand your feelings. Sending hugs your way for you and Otis

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Shoot. I know you were bracing yourself for the results, but it still sucks to hear those results. That’s great no meds are needed at this time and hopefully no progression for a very long time.

 

[kauna]

Thank you all for the kind words and encouragement. We all know this disease too well and it is a risk factor when getting one of these precious kitties. I don't know that I could ever be without a sphynx, I just love them too much. I am just hopeful that there will not be progression for a long time.

 

[Yoda mom]

@kauna, Otis is a sweet warrior and has no idea what reports say. sucks to get the news I know too well. mine have taught me to live in the moment and enjoy sphynx love , I would never have any other way. I saw you mention no medications. wondering if vet discussed preventative clopidogrel? I get on chewy.

sending love hugs n positive vibe head smooches and all paws crossed for rescan in 6 months. your babies have the bestest mum

 

[tuffysmommy]

Lair prayers to you all. I shake my fist at the sky..should this be the other side of such sweet love and devil may care? One consolation is they dont know and keep giving us the good stuff as long as they can….and let us know early so we stay together with them and then there is the remission/cure. Prayers that will be soon.

 

[kauna]

@kauna, Otis is a sweet warrior and has no idea what reports say. sucks to get the news I know too well. mine have taught me to live in the moment and enjoy sphynx love , I would never have any other way. I saw you mention no medications. wondering if vet discussed preventative clopidogrel? I get on chewy.

sending love hugs n positive vibe head smooches and all paws crossed for rescan in 6 months. your babies have the bestest mum

He didn't mention any preventative medications. This is a cardiologist that I have only been to twice now as the one I used for Agnes left the vet hospital after it was bought by Blue Pearl. She is in Mt. Laurel, NJ now and it is a bit of a hike for me to get to. This one my vet loves so I took Dolly and Otis to him for their scans. He stated that Otis' scan was on the very low end measurement of HCM at 1.68 m/s and the start of HCM measures at 1.6 so he didn't seem too concerned. He did mention that at his recheck if it has progressed we will start on medications at that time and I just need to know if I want pills or liquid. I think he is prepping me for a change at next visit but hoping that there isn't any progression as we all do at each one of these things. He said I should monitor his respiratory rates at rest and I have been since the blood work results, but haven't noticed an increase.

 

[nudebea]

You are doing the very best you can for Otis, he is lucky to have such a great mom. My Wilson did need medications( in his case it was sotolol and clopidogrel,( these were found to be the most appropriate for him) which were both in tablet form as liquid form was not available ( we are in the UK). That said it would have been easier for us to give him a liquid form of medication.

 

[kauna]

You are doing the very best you can for Otis, he is lucky to have such a great mom. My Wilson did need medications( in his case it was sotolol and clopidogrel,( these were found to be the most appropriate for him) which were both in tablet form as liquid form was not available ( we are in the UK). That said it would have been easier for us to give him a liquid form of medication.

Thank you for the kind words. He is on gabapentin currently for bullying behavior and it is in a capsule form.i tried liquid and with the amount needed it was a lot for one go and he’d run off. I also tried pilling him which worked until the capsule would start to get wet and he’d spit it out. I’m thankful he’s quite the foodie and inhales everything, I open the capsule and put it in his wet food. It has been the easiest way I’ve found to give him medication. I think if I have to make a decision it will be based on the amount of liquid needed to give.

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Spoke to my vet this morning. Happy to report Ochi is tolerating the meds with no issues. My vet was at a conference when I got the results of his scan, so this was the first time I got to, ask him my questions. You can see my post about Rapamycin and I wanted to ask him did he also see if he considered this mild at this time and he confirmed. So now we just keep moving forward and keep fingers crossed there is no progression at his next scan.

 

[kauna]

Spoke to my vet this morning. Happy to report Ochi is tolerating the meds with no issues in his bloodwork. My vet was at a conference when I got the results of his scan, so this was the first time I got to ask him my questions. You can see my post about Rapamycin and I wanted to ask him did he also see if he considered this mild at this time and he confirmed. So now we just keep moving forward and keep fingers crossed there is no progression at his next scan.

That’s good news for you and Ochi!!

 

[kauna]

We went for Otis' 6m follow up scan last evening and his HCM progressed just slightly. Otherwise he is doing well. We are going to start Clopidogrel 15mg, Benazapril 1.5mg daily and Rapamycin 0.5mg MWF and we will see how he responds. The cardiologist has seen some good reports on the rapamycin and I have heard others with good results also so fingers crossed.

There were a lot of sphynx cat visits yesterday for the cardiologist, I saw 3 others in the time I was there. I spoke to a fellow owner who was surprised at Otis' age of 8, she had two cats and one was 8 and she stated seeing one that is over 8yrs is like a Unicorn as it is so rare these days. She also mentioned that she lost one of her babies at only 2 1/2. I told her about Agnes passing at 7 after a 2 plus year battle with HCM. I remember reading when I got her that their lifespans were like that of any other housecat 12-15, my how things have changed. I think the average lifespan now is 8-10? What happened to this breed that we all love so much? I don't know if HCM is more prevalent because we as owners scan regularly as a precaution or if the breed itself is just more prone to it? Forgive my rambling thoughts in this post, her statement just kind of hit me is all.

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Glad he had very little progression. I am so curious about how Rapamycin works for him. Our cardiologist is still holding off at this time with the drug. I am hoping we see many with great results!

Yes the average lifespan for this breed is now 8 on the low end of the average lifespan. Something I strive for but breaks my heart. It just makes me sick. Even the best breeders are not free of this being the case.

 

[kauna]

Someone is awfully snuggly this morning.

 

[Yoda mom]

@kauna , awh snuggle bug.. keep us updated often. curious about the rapamycin too ( not sure if you are in the fb group about it?) I looked at for Tobylove but vet said my boy was advanced HCM, gallop heart rhythm , cancer etc . he was symptomatic and not a candidate per my vet.

My boy was on benazapril and clopidgrel. it helped him alot. lots of love hugs n positive vibe head smooches Team Otis.! remember, our babies have no idea what reports say. so happy to read very little progression. you are doing great Team Otis.!

yes, makes me sick too to see so much HCM.
everyday a gift.
to share a positive, my ClaireBare is 14 1/2, and Batman is 15 yrs old. was encouraging when I read a members nakid is 18!

 

[tuffysmommy]

So glad to hear no progression. It is one of those whews. Cuddle him up. Bonding moment for sure,

 

[nudebea]

Thank you for the update on Otis.. Glad to hear that there has been only a little progression of the HCM. It's interesting to hear that your vet is trying Rapomycin, , please keep us updated. Yes it is so sad that this condition seems to be so prevalent in sphynx and that their current expected lifespan is so relatively short. When my two bundles of happiness (Wilson and Kiwi) came into our lives I was also under the impression, after doing a lot of sphynx related reading, that their lifespan was pretty much similar to other cats . Wilson passed of HCM related issues at 9 years old, 2 years ago and his diagnosis, when he was 7 , completely floored me.You do have a good point about whether the condition is getting more prevalent or if it is being picked up more frequently due to better diagnostics techniques along with peoples awareness of the condition and getting tests done. Take care, sending you and Otis positive vibes

 

[Toa and Ross]

A little late...but very happy that Otis is doing well and is not getting worse.
Here in the Netherlands the vet says the life span of Sphynx is like any other pure breed cats (12-14 years). I wonder what can be the reason?
A heart scan is not common here as long as there are no health issues so maybe the vets here miss a lot of Sphynx dying young?

 

[kauna]

So we have been on the new medications 2 weeks tomorrow. I haven't noticed any changes in him. I was forewarned by the compound pharmacist that one of the medications are quite bitter as I explained how I was going to give his medications mixed in his canned food. He hasn't a clue that he is getting them. What a relief!!
We go in tomorrow for bloodwork just to check his medications aren't having any ill effect on his kidneys I believe. Other than that not much to report on this front.

 

[Catzzzmeow]

So funny he doesn’t even mind the taste of the medication…what a win!

 

[Yoda mom]

@kauna, hugs n positive vibes for tmrw's bloodwork.

 

[Toa and Ross]

Happy to read he is taking his meds without even noticing the taste! Fingers crossed for the blood work!

 

[kauna]

So funny he doesn’t even mind the taste of the medication…what a win!

What a win indeed!!! He would be a struggle to have to pill every day I couldn't imagine.