DCM in my 7 year old siamese

Hello everyone,

My name is Laura and I came to these forums seeking some emotional support for some sad news I got today at the vet. My beloved chocolate point siamese, Ninja, was diagnosed with an enlarged heart and fluid on the lungs. I understand the prognosis can vary greatly and every cat is different. I'm so scared and devastated We will be medicating him with a diuretic and another medication to help his heart beat more strongly. Can anyone share their experieces with this condition?

Hi Laura, @mirrorartist ....   I'm really sorry that your cat Ninja, got this diagnosis last week.

My 14 year old cat, does not have DCM...but rather was diagnosed with mild HCM last november, by a cat cardiologist, doing an echocardiogram (heart ultrasound). He does not need meds yet, but will have to be re-checked this november, and the results compared to the first ultrasound, to see if the papillary muscles are changing, as well as the mitral valve.

There is a page over on this website, which I found informative...but I have not researched enough into my cat's condition.   http://www.2ndchance.info/cardiomyopathy-cat.htm    I'm not too sure, how many members, here, have cats with DCM, I did read some threads on HCM, and you can do an 'Advanced Search' at the top of this page, where it should bring up, all the threads within the last year, or prior, to get some more info.  (I just don't know if the older threads have members which are current.)

Sometimes, with threads, it is so difficult, because everyone lives in different time zones, or does not notice the thread come up on the main board.

I, too, was so scared but after getting the echocardiogram done, I did feel a lot better. 

I have to keep reminding myself... that me feeling bad will not change the condition of Spotty's heart, and to learn more about the condition, but also to enjoy the days I have with him.  (He is not showing symptoms...yet, but I do worry.) (He also has early stage kidney problems...but is being treated by a prescription diet, only.)

I hope your Ninja, can stabilize with the diuretic meds, and that the other heart meds can help his heart beat easier.

I've only heard of one other cat here on TCS who had DCM, but there are,unfortunately, several cats who have (or had) HCM.  DCM is really rare from what I've read.  But no matter

It's natural to be scared and devastated about this.  But he's under a Vet's care now, and with proper medication, there is no reason to think he cannot live for quite some time longer, is there?  One of the Moderators here had a cat with HCM who eventually stopped all medications because her cat simply refused to take them anymore, and he lived for almost a year afterwards, if memory serves.  I think the main thing along with the medication is to try to keep him as stress free as possible. 

Many of us have cats with illness that will shorten their lives.  I have one myself (kidney disease), so believe me, I know how you are feeling .  And I already lost another one ( my soul cat) to kidney disease  three years ago next month.  It's the price we pay when we adopt our furry little friends, almost certainly knowing they will pass before we do.   BUT, take heart, you may still have years with your little guy...let's hope so.

BTW, If you don't get many responses to your thread under DCM, you might start up another one just entitled "heart disease" or something similar to see if you get more responses.