Cat Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Treatment

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common heart disease in cats. While it's an inherited disease in Maine coons, ragdolls and British shorthairs, any cat can develop HCM. The most common victims are middle-age males. Although there's no cure for HCM, prescription medications and other treatments can slow progression of the disease.

  1. Effects

    • HCM causes the muscular walls of the cat's ventricles to become abnormally thickened, says veterinarian Robert Prošek on the website VeterinaryPartner.com. As the disease progresses, the thickened left ventricular walls become less flexible, preventing the left ventricle from relaxing or stretching enough to fill with blood from the left atrium.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats include lethargy, loss of appetite, weight and muscle mass loss, reduced interest in playing or grooming, and rapid, difficult breathing. But many cats show no symptoms at all, according to veterinary cardiologist Luca Ferasin, or the only sign may be a heart murmur heard by a veterinarian.

    Prescription Medications

    • Veterinary cardiologists use a variety of human medications to help cats with HCM. One is the calcium channel blocker diltiazem, which can help reduce the heart rate and relax the thickened heart muscle.

      Such beta blockers as propranolol or atenolol also help reduce the heart rate for cats with HCM and can minimize the impact of stress and reduce obstruction of the heart's ventricular outlet, say the veterinarians at PetPlace.com.

      Enalapril and benazepril are ACE inhibitors and are sometimes used for feline HCM patients to lower blood pressure. Cardiologists may also recommend small amounts of low-dose aspirin or a drug such as clopidogrel to help prevent blood clots from forming.

      Diuretics can help with fluid accumulation, the PetPlace.com veterinarians say. For cats that have difficulty taking pills, all of these medications can be compounded into a flavored liquid, soft moist treats or a gel to rub inside an ear tip.

    Supplements

    • Coenzyme Q10, omega-3 fatty acids, L-carnitine and taurine support the heart and can be given in conjunction with prescription heart medications, holistic veterinarian Sue Pollen writes on her Caring for Pets blog. All are available at health food stores and can be mixed in the cat's wet food. Your cat's cardiologist or veterinarian can tell you how much to give.

      Supplements that combine a variety of herbs that support the heart are available from holistic veterinarians or online and can also be given in conjunction with prescription drugs. Not all supplements contain quality or beneficial ingredients though. Your cat's cardiologist or veterinarian can help you choose the right product.

    Complementary Treatments

    • When used along with prescription drugs, acupuncture can help cats with heart disease, says veterinary acupuncturist Barbara Fougere, writing for the Acupuncture Network website. But "the condition needs to be monitored very carefully when acupuncture is used," she adds, "as the dosages of normal drugs usually need to be reduced as the condition responds."

      Cats with HCM can also benefit from Chinese and Western herbs and homeopathy. These treatments are most effective when customized to the individual cat and should be used under the supervision of a holistic veterinarian.