Sphynx Cats: HCM and Ludwig
Posted in Hairless Cat Hints, Sphynx Cat News on 14. Mar, 2010
After my blog post yesterday there was an enormous amount of people looking for more answers on the death of Kat Von D’s Sphynx cat, Ludwig. HCM is such an important issue in the entire animal community, not only the Sphynx community that I have decided to go in depth into what it is and how it kills.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) affects the heart by thickening the walls of the myocardium. HCM affects humans and certain breeds of animals. We have all read stories of fit young people who have died on the sporting field, in many cases the cause is HCM.
In the Sphynx breed (and others) research is continuing into the cause of HCM but the genetic link is indisputable which is why screening for HCM and declarations by your breeder are of utmost importance. It is still possible to contract HCM without a genetic cause, but in the whole that is not as common as inheriting the disorder. If one parent has the genetic trait to pass on HCM, then the chances are 50% of their kittens can develop it.
Reputable breeders of Sphynx cats are working hard to try and breed this disorder out as much as possible. Do NOT buy from a breeder who does not screen for HCM.
HCM Screening
The most reliable way to diagnose HCM, even in an animal showing no signs, is for your cat to have an echo cardiogram (ECG) performed by a qualified radiologist/cardiologist. Be prepared as a Sphynx owner to screen once every year to ensure your Sphynx is not developing HCM.
Symptoms of HCM
Sadly symptoms can go completely unnoticed by owners because they are so subtle. A slight rise in respirations per minute may be the only visible sign. There may be a gradual increase in lethargy. Your vet may detect a hurt murmur and you should ask that he investigate further should that be the case.
Treatment of HCM
There is no cure for HCM, and treatment will come in the form of various medications such as beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, to help with heart failure. Diuretics to reduce fluid build up, and blood thinners to reduce the risk of clots.
If your cat is showing any signs of paralysis or breathing difficulties you must take them to a vet immediately, there is nothing you can do to alleviate pain or suffering, and delay will cause damage to become potentially permanent.
Probable Cause of Ludwig’s Death
In the course of HCM clots can form due to blood circulation in the enlarged chambers being abnormal. These clots can then enter the blood stream and travel to where the blood vessel branches become too narrow to pass. This will cut off blood flow to that area causing paralysis and pain. This is called saddle thrombosis and is most likely what caused the death of Ludwig. Descriptions of his back end being mangled (paralysed) and his heart giving out, sound very much like this type of clot.
Prognosis for cats with saddle thrombosis is poor. Some can survive after mild cases on blood thinning medication, but the underlying cause, the HCM will continue to be a major health risk factor. In studies of necropsies on cats it was found that 48% of cats that died from saddle thrombosis had HCM.
HCM is a horrible disease. If Sphynx are tested positive they still have the hope of living longer on medication. I know breeders that have HCM+ cats that are on meds and living happy, healthy lives. That is why it is so important to have your Sphynx tested by a Certified Cardiologist. There is a great one in Brisbane and he is very reasonably priced, four or more Sphynx for $180. He also does the Sunshine Coast a couple of days a week.
Cheers
Jo
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I should forward this article to my friend, it showing the same symptom and in-going check up the vet suspected to be HCM too. Sad thing the cat was too young and probably came from a not so reputable breeder..
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I have a HCM positive one-year old male Sphynx. I am looking for a database (USA as well as International) that contains information on the positive or negative status of Sphynx cats. Does anyone know of such a database? If so, please send response to my personal e-mail address. Thank you.
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Allison Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 9:29 PM
Hi Nancy
Here’s a link to a great Sphynx cat health forum that does a lot of work on HCM and also has registries . http://sphynxforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=7
Hope your little guy has a mild form and can be treated
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Sir Alexander was diagnosed with a mild form of HCM (actually HOCM; O=Obstructive) and his prognosis is “fair”. He will live a wonderful life for as long as he lives and we will love him and love him until then! He is being regularly treated by a top-notch Board Certified Cardiologist in Houston, Texas. We also own a sister and litter-mate, Georgiana and she has tested HCM negative at this time – and she LOVES her brother! Thank you for your concern!
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Allison Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 5:02 AM
Sir Alexander is such a cute name ! So dignified
The best course for people with Sphynxes that have HCM, I feel, is to be as educated and knowledgeable about the disorder as possible. It really sounds like Sir Alexander is getting the best of care from you, his doctors and his sister.
Keep dropping by with the updates if you can as it’s comforting to other readers who have, or had, Sphynxes with HCM.
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My sphynx Loedertje (which means little mean one in Dutch) has been diagnosed with HCM 4 years ago, she was 6 years old at the time.
Medication keeps her happy and strong, last month we celebrated her 10th birthday!
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There are other things that can cause similar symptoms… Regardless if something is wrong you get your kitty to the vet.
What happened to me:
My first Sphynx (I have 3 now including Shiva) was Shiva. I am very close to Shiva. I had just lost a human very close to me and Shiva proved to me what a wonderful friend he was. He took VERY good care of me. Watching Kat with Ludwig reminds me alot of me and Shiva.
So…. One morning I got up and Shiva wasn’t in bed with me. He always slept with me! I went looking for him and couldn’t find him. Then I noticed he was kinda under a piece of furniture. I called him and he wouldn’t come out. When he did I lost it…he couldn’t use his back legs…he crawled to me. (sorry if you feel my emotions at this moment..I still cry when I remember this ) I had no idea what was wrong with him…just it was bad. I called for help getting him to a vet. He crawled to my feet and wanted to be held so I carefully picked him up and held him. I cried and called my mom and said “Mom something is wrong with my baby…he can’t walk….”. I was so scared.
My ride finally arrived and we got Shiva to the vet. Two hours later I left the vet with my newly diagnosed crippled diabetic cat. His losing the use of his back legs is a sign of nerve damage due to his diabetes. He has to have insulin twice a day. I was told he would never walk again.
I did research and found a supplement that helped him. He now not only can walk again but can climb stairs, jumps and everything. I notice he is a bit slower but he walks just fine. His first steps (and jump) were his Birthday present to me. A friend gave me a gift with this beautiful bow. Shiva stood and did this amazing leap across to my table to get the bow. He’s walked ever since then.
It’s been six years and I still have him. He not only comes to me for his shots, but he purrs when I give them to him. I love him with all my heart and am sooooo glad that it was something treatable. I treasure every moment with him and hope to have him for many more years.
He has done well with only one bad diabetic episode then this all began. I have promised him that as long as he is happy I will do whatever I can to keep him that way. I will never let him suffer. I couldn’t stand that… after all he IS my best friend.
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Allison Reply:
September 7th, 2010 at 2:54 AM
Gosh Luna
I am reading this at work and am all choked up at my desk. What a wonderful story.
Here’s to many more wonderful years with Shiva
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If anyone is interested in the supplement I used on Shiva.
It had been about 6 months since he had lost the use of his back legs. I gave it to him for 2 weeks and he walked. I have not had to repeat the theraphy. I suggest getting it from a company called Life Link. http://www.LifeLinkNet.com 1-805-473-1389 It’s called Xobaline. It’s Methylcobalamin B-12. They sell it in a 3mg disolving tablet. LifeLink has done research on cats and found it can repair nerve damage in many cats. I came across it researching Diabetes. A cat losing the use of either (or both) sets of legs is a common sign of feline diabetes (as well as other ailments as stated above). I tried the pills after researching and realizing the certainly wouldn’t hurt him.
For reference he had other signs as well. He craved sugar…and I do mean CRAVED. He also woke me up several times a night drinking. I should have figured it out (I have diabetics in my family) but it just didn’t “click”.
He is an amazing little guy… if he doesn’t feel well he tells me. I honestly think he understands the shots make him feel better. I know he has figured out that food helps.
If anyone wants anymore info on Xobaline or feline diabetes please don’t hesitate to ask. If Shiva’s expereince can help another cat we (Shiva and I) are more than happy to do so.
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Allison Reply:
September 7th, 2010 at 3:49 AM
Luna I would love to interview for the upcoming Sphynx Cat Podcast. I’ll send you an email when I get home
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I told Shiva he gives the idea 2 paws up and a tail wave
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My poor kitty, Roland, was diagnosed with HCM. I noticed he was breathing kind of funny, but didn’t really think anything of it. I took him to the vet and they basically told me that he wasn’t going to make it very long. We put him on meds and that helped him a bit. After a few months of the meds he passed away one evening next to his food bowl. Poor thing. It was devastating.
Here is a video of him breathing after 3 weeks on meds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUEEAfZKnIs
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Uh Ludwig was hit by a car. How irresponsible of an article to call to arms a cat who had nothing to do with hcm for their own cause! Yes hcm sucks… it affacts 30% of ALLLLLLL cats, but Ludwig was NOT one of them. He got on a highway where he should not have been
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Allison Reply:
September 14th, 2010 at 7:47 AM
Hi Hop
Thanks for dropping by. As mentioned in other comment, I said what people were mentioning in forums at the time. Still haven’t seen any official notification he was hit by a car and would link to it. Can you point at Kat or her people officially stating that somewhere?
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HCM Database:
http://www.fabcats.org/hcm/index.html
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I am a new follower of your blog. Might just be me, but I have a hard time reading the pale grey text on the blue/grey background.
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Allison Reply:
November 22nd, 2010 at 10:31 PM
Hi Teri… can you tell me what Browser and version you are using?
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