My baby Percy (3 months and 2 weeks) was diagnosed

My sweet little boy, Percy,   , was found, through x-ray, to have an enlarged heart. His size is 9.3 when normal is at most 8.1. This is such a devastating news for me. I do not know how to take it as I am not familiar with the prognosis of such a condition. His cardio doctor mentioned though that he does not have a heart murmur, which I would take as a bit of good news.  He also mentioned that the time of our diagnosis is excellent. He is on medication now for two weeks until he would be evaluated again. 

Anyone has any idea on this? 

Poor little guy.. what a sweetie he is!

Your vet sounds like he knows what he's doing, and it is great that you've caught it so early.

I do know that taurine is really important.  It's added to most cat food now, but just be sure.  A lack of it can cause all kinds of things, including heart conditions.

I've also heard that fish oil (omega 3) and co enzyme Q10 can be useful in cats - I know it is in humans, but a friend swears by it for her cat as well, for her heart health.

Of course all these things need to be OKed by your vet as Percy will be on different things and everything needs to work together.

Sending Percy lots of  

 

Hi Mani! Thanks for your kind support and I will surely send that over to my baby.  

He is on Furosemide now, a diuretic medicine to help lessen the water in his lungs.  The doctor prepared it in suspension type since it would be hard for him to take down a pill.  Percy's dosage is 0.15ml twice daily.  I just want to ask if it is okay that I put it in his food instead of squirting it directly into his mouth.  I just don't want him to be traumatized with all the meds he has to take (since I had already been squirting antibiotics for the past 10 days into his mouth).  You think it's ok or would it reduce the effectivity of the medicine? 

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

I'm really not the person to ask.. this isn't even my area - I just know someone whose cat has this problem.

I would ask the vet about administering the medicine, although my feeling would be to give it direct to be sure he gets it all.

I'll see if there is anyone else who can help, too.

Thanks for your help Mani!

Your kitty is so sweet! 

I do not know a lot about HCM but have come across some information on it because it is common in ragdolls. I have a ragdoll so I often read the floppycats website and they have a post about it and interview with a vet (http://www.floppycats.com/hcm-in-ragdoll-cats.html). This post has a list of treatments and supplements. 

Good luck and keep us updated. 

Percy Persian said:

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  I just want to ask if it is okay that I put it in his food instead of squirting it directly into his mouth.  I just don't want him to be traumatized with all the meds he has to take (since I had already been squirting antibiotics for the past 10 days into his mouth).  You think it's ok or would it reduce the effectivity of the medicine? 

Click to expand...

As for if you can give the medication with food this is a question best saved for your vet. You can just call the front desk and they should be able to tell you. 

Here is also a yahoo group that has a lot of information on HCM (http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/feline-heart/). Also take a look at some older threads (http://www.thecatsite.com/newsearch?search=hcm)

Thanks Franksmom for your replies! Will do take a look at the links you gave.  I have also decided to administer the meds directly. I realized that the 0.15ml dosage is very very little. Shooting it straight to his mouth does not seem to be very stressful.  Am just glad that Percy had his last dose of his antibiotic today which I also give directly into the mouth. 

Thanks a lot!