Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hi All! 

I adopted my Maine Coon mix from a shelter a few years ago. He turned 4 years old in June of this year. A couple of months later he started throwing up frequently, which is very unusual for him. I took him to the vet and found out he had ingested a foreign object and required surgery. Throughout the testing during this ordeal, they also discovered he has Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, which I've read is common in his breed. At the time he was discharged from the animal hospital, I tried to get as much information as I could about his condition and prognosis but they weren't able to tell me very much. The vet told me that as of current, his heart is compensating well and they did not think it was necessary to start him on any medications. 

I will be taking him back in March for a follow up sonogram to monitor the condition. He has since fully recovered from surgery and is doing really well. In all reality, we would have never known about the heart disease unless he hadn't eaten something he shouldn't have. I know, however, that he will have this for the rest of his life. Does anyone else have a cat with a current milder state of HCM? I'd just like to have a better idea of what I'm dealing with, and of course I'm particularly concerned with how long I can expect him to live, or if there's anything in particular I could be doing to keep him, and his heart, as healthy as possible. He seems perfectly fine and healthy now, but everything I've read about HCM is really scary and I'm worried one day he'll just take a turn for the worst. I would be devastated if anything happened to him, especially now because he's still young, so if anyone else out there is in a similar situation or knows more about this illness and has any suggestions or advice, I would really appreciate your input and support. 

Thanks to my fellow cat peeps! 

HCM is a scary diagnosis, but the fact that it was discovered accidentally and not due to symptoms should be reassuring. It's a progressive disease, but one that can be managed for years with medications to support heart function . As long as your boy is monitored - perhaps by a cardiologist? - and the meds are given once the vet feels it's necessary to prescribe them, he probably has years ahead of him.

Our last cat had moderate-to-severe HCM and lasted till two months short of his 14th birthday, when he couldn't overcome his last bout of congestive heart failure. He did well for years on an ACE inhibitor, with a beta blocker, diuretic and a very small dose of aspirin being added during his final 18 months.A friend's purebred Maine Coon lived to over 18 with HCM and only needed the inhibitor in his mid-teens.

Wow! That makes me feel so much better. I know it's really unpredictable and basically a crap shoot but hearing that gives me hope he can live a normal life span. Thank you!

TCS has an article that relates some members' experiences: Heart Disease in Cats
There's also a Yahoo support group for specific questions about symptoms, meds, etc.: Support Group for Feline Hearts HCM Just be aware that many of the members there have joined because their cats are already suffering from severe heart disease, so you'll also read some disheartening stories.

for your boy!

Thanks so much, this is incredibly helpful!