H.C.M.

It is a disease which is found in many cat breeds including Sphynx.

The cat's heart is a muscular pump with four separate chambers. The right side of the heart sends blood to the lungs where it picks up oxygen. The left side receives blood from the lungs and pumps it around the rest of the body. HCM cause the heart muscle to thicken which impairs it's flexibility, causing the heart to work faster which in turn leads to the enlargement of the heart chambers and fluid round the heart. HCM can be diagnosed by ultrasound scanning. There is no genetic test for HCM, and until the genetics in cats are fully understood it will be almost impossible to element the disease. Research continues into the cause. Unfortunaly there are very rarely any visible sign. Cats are usually good at concealing ill health and often there are no evidence of any problems until the condition is very advanced. In many cases until the cat develops signs of acute heart failure, which includes rapid, shallow breathing, open mouth breathing, vomiting & weakness. Blood clots may develop in the heart and travel down the aorta to block the circulation to the hind legs, causing pain and weakness.

We are in the procces of having all our Sphynx cats tested

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We have had Clara tested today 20/03/08

Clara was fine she was scanned clear

 

We have now had 3 more of our sphynx scanned they were all clear

Smartie - Zak - Ruby

All scanned clear on the 28th May 2008