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Topsy is a relative young cat, only four years old, with a potentially big problem, a heart murmur.
One of the first signs of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a life-threatening heart condition that is common in young cats.
"It is where you get a normal size heart and the chambers get smaller and become a very inefficient pump," Pet Zone vet Dr. Prior said.
The best way to determine if that is what is causing Topsy's problem is with an ultrasound, a non-invasive procedure that will measure her heart and how well it is working.
An ultrasound allows Prior to go inside the heart.
If caught early, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can be managed with medicines that help the heart beat better. The problem is, this type of disease can be hard to diagnose before heart failure sets in.
Kitty hearts
A heart murmur can be an early sign of heart disease in cats.
Symptoms include: trouble breathing, intolerance to exercise and even sudden death can be a clinical sign.
In most cases, it is believed that hypertrophic myopathy is genetic but it can also be caused by hypertension and hyperthyroidism.
At least 11 percent of cats will get it, but Prior believes that number is as high as 20 percent.
Topsy's results look good. No sign of significant heart trouble but she'll be tested again next year.
The sooner you catch cardiomyopathy the better your cat's quality of life.
There is no cure and even on medicines it does not guarantee a normal life expectancy, but you can help them to live longer if you know they have a heart problem.
One of the first signs of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a life-threatening heart condition that is common in young cats.
"It is where you get a normal size heart and the chambers get smaller and become a very inefficient pump," Pet Zone vet Dr. Prior said.
The best way to determine if that is what is causing Topsy's problem is with an ultrasound, a non-invasive procedure that will measure her heart and how well it is working.
An ultrasound allows Prior to go inside the heart.
If caught early, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can be managed with medicines that help the heart beat better. The problem is, this type of disease can be hard to diagnose before heart failure sets in.
Kitty hearts
A heart murmur can be an early sign of heart disease in cats.
Symptoms include: trouble breathing, intolerance to exercise and even sudden death can be a clinical sign.
In most cases, it is believed that hypertrophic myopathy is genetic but it can also be caused by hypertension and hyperthyroidism.
At least 11 percent of cats will get it, but Prior believes that number is as high as 20 percent.
Topsy's results look good. No sign of significant heart trouble but she'll be tested again next year.
The sooner you catch cardiomyopathy the better your cat's quality of life.
There is no cure and even on medicines it does not guarantee a normal life expectancy, but you can help them to live longer if you know they have a heart problem.
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