HCM in Siamese and Orientals
I have recently discovered that this condition, which causes early death in cats, is in my breeding line. I have decided that until a DNA test is available which would allow me to select breeding cats which I know are not 'at risk' of having this condition I am not prepared to risk producing kittens which may live only a few (2-8) years. I know the heartbreak of losing a cat that you have grown to love. How could I put someone else through that?
This site will be dedicated to providing what information I can to both the breeding community and the pet owning public about this condition.
HCM stands for Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and it is the most common heart disease in cats. Unfortunately early signs may be subtle or non existent. Certain breeds have been known to be at high risk of developing HCM leading to early death but the Siamese and Oriental breeds were not among them. I have only been breeding since 2002 but have both confirmed and suspect cases in my line.
HCM in cats can occur randomly (as it does in humans). There is nothing a breeder can do about that but when there is a strong family tendency to develop HCM the probability is that the condition is being inherited. Cats with this tendency should not be used for breeding. To knowingly do so would be unethical and irresponsible.
One of the difficulties breeders face is that they don't always get information from pet owners when a sudden death occurs.
Steps To Take if You Suspect HCM
- Consult your vet. Have an ultrasound scan of the cats heart done ASAP
- If the Ultrasound is positive (or equivical) for HCM notify your breeder
- Correct treatment may extend your cats life and/or maintain its quality
- If a cat dies at a young age with no obvious cause have a post mortem examination done
- If the post mortem identifies HCM notify your breeder
- If you don't get a post mortem done still notify your breeder of any sudden unexplained death.
The purpose of notifying your breeder is that it provided them with information on which to base future breeding choices. It will not help you in the short term but will help future owners.
I would also like to invite any pet owner who has lost a Siamese or Oriental cat through a sudden unexplained death at an early age to contact me as through analysis of common pedigree lines we can begin to exclude 'at risk' cats from the genetic pool in New Zealand
What is Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
HCM Causes, symptoms and treatment
Check the links page for more sources of information