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Cat with HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy)
Hi there,
I have a question about my cat Shamu who has moderate HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). He is 4.5 yrs old and is currently taking atenolol 2/day and baby aspirin 2/week. His last ultrasound showed his left ventricle had gotten a bit worse since May. And now I am concerned because he has started gagging more often....coughing up a little spittle. He gags about 3-4 times and then he is fine. It has been happening almost every day the past week or two. Is this cause for concern or is this just part of living with HCM? thanks to anyone who can offer an opinion. Michelle |
#2
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There are some supplements that can be added to your kitty's diet which could also be helpful. Coenzyme Q10 is an important one. I give Aztec 30mg/day (split in 2 doses). Extra Taurine doesn't hurt, and apparently L-Carnitine is another one to consider. What does your cat eat? Providing him with the best nutrition possible (which, unfortunately isn't going to be from kibble), can go a long way towards keeping the rest of his systems functioning at an optimum level. A raw diet is ideal, but if that's not an option right now, a quality canned food would be my next choice. http://www.catinfo.org/ One last question - how do you administer the Atenolol and aspirin? If it's by pilling, is it possible there's a pill stuck in his throat that's causing the gagging? Personally, I just crush the Atenolol and mix it in with canned food (it's totally tasteless - I tasted it myself). Aspirin might do okay in a Pill Pocket. All pills should be followed with a liquid chaser or some food/treats to make sure they go all the way down the hatch: http://www.catinfo.org/pillingcats.htm
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"To close your eyes will not ease another's pain." ~ Chinese Proverb “We must not refuse to see with our eyes what they must endure with their bodies.” ~ Gretchen Wyler |
#3
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Thanks for the advice sugarcatmom. I will definitely look at the Yahoo Feline Heart group.
My little guy gets 12.5 mg of the atenolol twice a day. His gagging does NOT occur at pill time. Fortunately for me and him, he takes the pill very easily. The diet recommendations make sense. I will look into that also. m. |
#4
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I'm going to have to agree with the taurine. I think that would be veryyyy good to add to his diet. you might be able to find some treats with added taurine. For the coughing thing, maybe it's not related to his health problems. Try adding salmon or cod liver oil to his diet... my fluffy kitty used t hack up hairballs and cough up junk all the time and someone on here (probably sugarcatmom lol) told me to give him salmon oil and he's been fine ever since... Good luck with your kitty.
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My cat is smarter than your honor student. Stop Dog Fighting ~ Neuter Mike Vick! ~ RIP Timmy ~ May 2009 - November 6th 2009 |
#5
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Salmon/cod liver oil
Hi, my cat Tonali has just been diagnosted with a heart murmur...( see my post)
Until I get answers from my vet, I would like to do all that's possible for her. I was wondering, how much salmon or cod liver oil should be added to her diet... Also, is the cod liver oil the one we can buy at the drugstore in the form of gel-caps, or is it a specific brand for cats... I am seeing my vet again on the 6th of January, time at which he will tell me more about Tonali's condition. Meanwhile, I want to do all I can to help her out! Looked up your zootoo space Kathryn!!! How cool. I will make sure I become a member, (after the holiday madness that is). Thanks for the link! Sandy
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Helper to: Cookie July 1st 1999 f/ RIP July 31st 2008 -cat Tonali June 3rd 2007 f -cat Elphin April 21st 2008 m -cat Stibule(Gino,Airell,Katla,Rasta)June 6th 2009 f- cat Gino Ferrero April 8th 2010 m -cat Airell Awenn Awnfenn Ep Berrth April 8th 2010 f- cat Katla Chilam Balam April 8th 2010 f- cat Rasta Farian Marley April 9th 2010 m- cat Chipcat-Filou found June 12th 2011 (Ocicat 6months old) f-cat Jane the Snow Cat rescued Dec27th 2012 f- cat Last edited by sandyrivers; December 24th, 2008 at 09:56 PM. Reason: add info |
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