looking for info on "swimmers chest"

Hello,

One of our kittens, (Caydence), was adopted with a condition called "swimmers chest". At the time of adoption the rescue shelter told us the condition was mostly resolved and wouldnt be a problem. However, after a preliminary checkup, a vetrinarian recommended we take her to see a cardiologist. She even told us that this condition could be fatal! We've already scheduled an appointment with the cardiologist next week, but I am looking for any information on what "swimmers chest" is. I have tried looking on google but havent come across any thing particularly helpful. As far as I understand, the condition occurs when the ribcage grows incorrrectly, causing the ribcage to shrink as it grows. In some cases this can lead to painful constriction of the cats internal organs, although in some other cases it seems to resolve itself. But I am not even sure if this is correct, it is basically the "gist" of what the vet told me. We took her first to a veterinarian recommended by the clinic, but tomorrow we are taking her to our normal veterinarian, but i really wanted to understand more before then. Any information anyone knows or helpful websites would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Nick & Patty

So sorry! Here's a link I googled that took me right back to TCS!

http://www.thecatsite.com/Health/90/...itten-FCK.html

and another from a different site (this one is pretty blunt and matter of fact, with pictures, so be prepared):

http://www.questor-cp.co.uk/think/what.htm

Thank you very much. I didnt know it was also known as FCK, i was able to find a lot more information using that as a search criterion.

~Nick

You're welcome . I hope your vet has good news.

Welcome to TCS! Please let us know how the vet visit goes.

Hello!

I had a litter of kittens, and one of them had FCKS. He's fine now. This is a great site... I used some of the exercises and tips on there and he did just great.

How old is your kitten now? From what I've read, as long as they survive 6 months, they will likely have a normal lifespan as the problem works itself out over time if it is not too severe.

Good luck!

I don't know where you live, but this would be something that I would consider taking to one of the Vet Schools. They could, at least, get you to the best people to care for you baby.

I know some information about bracing for back issues in humans, so the article on bracing kittens was very interesting to me. The toilet paper roll and the cardboard supports don't seem to be effective based on what I was taught. The goal of bracing is to prevent progression of the abnormality, not cure it. Bracing is only effective during growth periods, so the sooner you get started, the better.

I was just informed that my four month old kitten has Swimmer's Chest. I was told that it was pretty fatal and that he will be lucky to live. Is there anyway to do surgery on him?

This condition is the reason I joined TCS.. looking for answers.

My boy was diagnosed with Flat Chest Syndrome, but it ended up being Pectus Excavatum (funnel chest).  Vets sometimes confuse the two.  It was hit and miss with him, but he survived.

Here's a diagram of them:


Here's my thread from way back then:

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/241772/pectus-excavatum

There is an operation but you would need to check whether she is of the right age for it.

Good luck  

He does have the Funnel Chest for sure. I take Jackal in again in two weeks for a check up and I'm going to have the vet take an X-Ray of his chest. She told me that there was no way to help him. If I wanted to take him to a specialist, is there a place you would recommend?

KarleeM said:

He does have the Funnel Chest for sure. I take Jackal in again in two weeks for a check up and I'm going to have the vet take an X-Ray of his chest. She told me that there was no way to help him. If I wanted to take him to a specialist, is there a place you would recommend?

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I would have no idea, Karleem, as I live in Australia.

When your vet said there is not way they can help him, did they mean that his condition is dangerous?  Many cats do survive.  My boy was given a 50/50 chance and, even though he's deformed, he's a very happy boy.

She didn't say too much on it. We were more concerned with getting him fluids. The vet I took him and his brother to before this one didn't even bother to check him over like I asked them to. They Neutered him and he had been very ill after that. He is finally starting to be himself again. And she said that we would just have to wait and see if his chest grows with his body. She said that she has seen cats over come the deformity but she has also seen many die from it. And he was perfectly fine until he went in for surgery.
Then he started having issues.

He could have been affected by the general anaesthetic, with his compromised chest. But I had my boy neutered early too, as it was recommended at my specialist clinic.

Is the deformity really obvious to you?  Does he seem to be smaller around the chest?

Well when I lay him on his back, he has a small dimple in his chest. It seems to be a bit smaller than when I first got him though. And it isn't that bit. Just under two finger width and it's not that deep feeling. And I honestly can't really tell. He is part Siamese and he has the Siamese body so his back half is a little bigger anyways so it's difficult to tell.

I know you insist it's FCK, but a dimple could well be pectus excavatum (see the diagrams I posted above).  Flat chested kittens don't have the dimple.

Oh no I meant that it is Pectus Excavatum. I have been trying to do as much research about it and his chest isn't anything like the pictures. Sure he has a small dimple but his chest isn't small like the ones I saw. Hm. I'm still going to try to find a local specialist that will take a look at him.

It doesn't sound too bad. 

Let me know how you go...

I know in puppies if they are young enough you can bind their chest with bandages and wraps and sometimes that helps.  But your kitty is 4 months old so I think it's too old for that.  Sorry your kitty has this.

It's okay. I think he is going to be fine. His chest seems for the most part normal except his little pimple. But when I first got h, his dimple was larger than it is now. So I'm hoping it's going to go away.

KarleeM said:

It's okay. I think he is going to be fine. His chest seems for the most part normal except his little pimple. But when I first got h, his dimple was larger than it is now. So I'm hoping it's going to go away.

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It may not go away completely, but it also may not impact at all on him.  Just watch out for breathlessness when he exercises.   The type that stops him in his tracks.