cardiomyopathy

Hello - I am sorry to make my first post a plea for help, but I have a very wonderful black and white cat (Brian) who has just been diagnosed with moderator band cardiomyopathy. It is very early stages (he has had serious trouble with crystals in his urine before so as soon as he shows the slightest sign of being unwell I rush him to the vet -and the vet picked up an irregular heart beat).

I have read lots of stuff on the various online vets sites - but just wonder if anyone can give me any idea of what lies ahead for Brian and me - from the owner's view. He is having another ultrasound tomorrow so the vet can more precisely decide upon the appropriate medication, but if anyone has any words of wisdom I would be very grateful if they could give me some advice. I have read that I should keep his sodium intake low - no more detabits! I know to look out for blue pads and cold legs as blood clots can be a problem.

I am trying remarkably hard to stay optimistic; this fella means the world to me.

Hi Sue! I'm so sorry to hear about poor baby Brian. I too just read a lot about the disease having lost my Tigger to it. Unfortunately his diagnosis came after a blood clot cause thrombosis in his back legs and he was too far gone and too feral to take drastic interventive measures.

The vet walked me thru the list of things that I could do for mine that could keep him going (in my case) for a very short time. Daily medicine, no stress, change in diet, regular blood work. Having gone thru long term care with other cats with other diseases, these things just become routine, and should become routine to keep the stress low for the cat.

I understand that if caught in early stages, the prognosis can be pretty good (years) if you start treatment right away. My advice: give him anything that he loves that won't hurt him, and give him all the love that you have to give. The power of those 2 things, IMO, go just as far as any medication you can him.

How old is Brian?

Thanks Momofmany - and I am sorry to hear about Tigger! Love is something Brian has never been short of, and never will be.

Brian is almost 9.

I`m sorry to hear that Brian is ill....but I`l glad he will be loved through all of it.
You are both in my thoughts and prayers.
Linda

Originally Posted by Sue D

Brian is almost 9.

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Cardiomyopathy hits primarily in male cats about 8-10 years old. Tigger was almost 9. Sometimes I hate statistics.

I've not seen a lot of postings at this site about cardiomyopathy and have not seen long term treatment discussed here. I found a lot of online sites that discussed the disease (google search) and while I didn't check there, Cornell University has an outstanding veterinary site. I typically do my research so that I can ask my vet the right questions. He and I have a good enough relationship that if he feels he is over his head on a topic, he refers me to someone more versed. You will need to work very closely with your vet on this. Arm yourself with questions and if he isn't helping you how you would like, as for a referral.

It sounds like Brian is your soul-mate cat. For his benefit, keep yourself calm over this. If you are stressed, he is going to sense it and it can make him worse. You can have many more good years with him.

Sue

Sorry to hear this. I did some "googling for you. Maybe you can find more answers there:
http://www.homevet.com/petcare/felcardi.html
http://www.fabcats.org/cardiomyopathy.html
http://www.southpaws.com/topics/feline-dcm.html
http://members.aol.com/jchinitz/hcm/
http://www.scaredy-cats.com/articles...omyopathy.html
http://home.online.no/~colmar/hcm_eng.html

Good luck with your cat!!

Thank you for you help and kind words. He started medication today - and he really was n't happy about taking all those tablets (my fingers are soooooo scratched!), but he was better taking them this evening than this morning so I am hoping he will get used to it...and he soon forgave me and was affectionate again.

The vetinary practice I take Brian to has two heart specialists working there part-time, so I think we are both really lucky he is in such good hands. They have been so good explaining things to me and answering my questions when I have been reading up on various web-sites - and I have been told I can phone any time if I have more questions or am worried about him.

I am quite determined that however long he has left - be it months or years - it is a good and happy time for him. He was happily chasing a piece of string today, and seems quite contented.

Hi Sue D, sorry to hear about your cat's diagnosis. It is wonderful that you were able to catch it early. My cat died just last year of cardiomyopathy -- it had produced a blood clot a crippled her front leg and her two hind legs and there was nothing we could do. I have read that the medicine works well and may do a great in extending the cats life. I know this may not be much help, but I will keep you all in my thoughts.

Sue, I am sorry Brian has been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. My cat, Betsy, had that. That was in 1994. I am sure there is probably better treatment now than there was then. I wish you all the best and your cat, Brian, is in my prayers. He is beautiful.

Thanks. Brian had a check up this morning for the abscess on his tail - which has almost disappeared with antibiotics - and it was a different vet, and he was quite amazed that the problem had been spotted before he started showing any clinical signs of heart failure. A combination of my paranoia that his old crystals in the urine problem was starting again so rushing him to the vet and an extremely thorough vet (and pet insurance to pay for it all) has given him the best possible chance. He seems quite happy and full of life (currently trying to pull modem cable off the wall).

We even seem to have the tablets issue worked out - wrapping him in a towel so he can't scratch me and then using a tablet dispenser thingamy-bob to pop the pill over the back of his tongue and it's over before he knows it - and he seems to be getting used to it.

I know I may not have him for as long as I would like, but I am optimistic that we have some good times left yet.

I know there are lots of people here with lots of sick cats, but wanted to let you know that Brian had another check up today. The vet was really really pleased - his heart and respiratory sounds are really good and his general health is great - he is playful and eating well and although there is no cure for the heart disease, he is still not showing any of the clinical signs of heart failure. He needs another scan at Christmas, but all in all he's doing really well...fingers crossed it carries on this way!

Originally Posted by Sue D

I know there are lots of people here with lots of sick cats, but wanted to let you know that Brian had another check up today. The vet was really really pleased - his heart and respiratory sounds are really good and his general health is great - he is playful and eating well and although there is no cure for the heart disease, he is still not showing any of the clinical signs of heart failure. He needs another scan at Christmas, but all in all he's doing really well...fingers crossed it carries on this way!

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