heart failure/ HCM diagnosis cat can't take Atenolol

Hi all, My approximately 6 year old Siamese has been diagnosed with HCM, technically HOCM.  He

Went into heart failure on January 9, I rushed him to the emergency vet, he was given lasix and kept overnight

in oxygen.  I was able to take him home the next evening.  I brought him to a cardiologist last week, he had an echo

and she wanted to start him on Atenolol.  I started it yesterday and a few hours later he was developing heart failure again. 

I gave him an extra dose of lasix and the wheezing/ crackling /increased respiration improved quickly.  Cardiologist was

very disappointed that he had this reaction to the Atenolol, she believed that with his form of heart disease it could greatly improve

his prognosis.

So, we can't do the Atenolol.  He is on lasix, benazepril (ACE inhibitor), and Plavix.  Anyone out there also unable to give their kitty

Atenolol?  How did your cat do with just an ACE inhibitor?  I know this all means he doesn't have much time left I'm just not ready

to face that, but I also know I need to.  Just would like to hear from some members who are living with this or have been through

HCM.  I feel like I'm living with a ticking time bomb.  I don't want him to suffer (for the moment he's ok) but I also don't want to cut his

life short by having him put to sleep.

I should also mention that all of this was precipitated by a broken leg.  He escaped from the house and came back with

a broken leg which was surgically repaired.  Kitty and I have been through the ringer.  I guess I just want him to be able

to have a little more time to enjoy being a cat.  I love this cat and the thought of losing him breaks my heart.

Signed,

One sad kitty momma

I'm so sorry you are dealing with this.

I'm not sure I can help, but I can tell you about my mother's cat. She also went into heart failure due to HCM. She came home on a half tablet of Furosemide/Lasix twice per day and 1 tablet of Enalapril once per day. My mother also felt like she was living with a "Ticking time bomb". After a while that feeling wasn't as strong a she learned to deal with it. Roxie had her ups and downs and plenty of vet visits, etc., but lived for another year and half.

We have quite a few members that have dealt and are dealing with this, so more should be by soon and can hopefully speak about atenolol.

Good luck.

My cat was diagnosed last April through an ultrasound. My cat has been on  Atenolol ever since. It is primarily used to lower blood pressure and slow down heart rate.

I am not sure after one day it would even work? He said it should work in one day?

Was he kept overnight?

My thirteen year old was diagnosed with an enlarged heart 4 months ago and has just been on a half of a lasix pill every day. He quit coughing and acts fine, but now reading all the above posts should he be taking other medications? I am terrified of a blood clot, aspirin or plavix? I've known cats that live almost a normal lifetime with heart trouble, years anyway, and wanted you to have hope, with proper medication your baby should live a fairly normal life, as normal as a cats life is that needs medications! Just love your precious one today, the past is gone and the future is unknown, we all must live and love in the present.  All the luck!!!

Hi and welcome to the forum, smithie95 !

There are specialized online groups for almost every chronic feline health condition/disease....including heart disease.

That's where I would be if I were in your shoes right now.

The group I suggest has been operating for the last 15 years and has had more than 2500 members - and cats - these people have an enormous collective experience that newbies. like yourself, can draw on. Such groups are also up to date with the latest treatment recommendations/treatments etc.

I would hazard an educated guess that, after 15 years and 2500+ cats, they have dealt with cats reacting poorly to atenolol.

I recommend that you (at least) join up for a "test drive".....read the discussions and assess whether/not these peoples' experience can help you navigate this new journey. You'll find those people right here: Support Group for Feline Hearts HCM

And.....keep us posted too ! (and, you know, we'll never refuse PIX ! )