Definition: A form of heart disease, which can present in several versions in cats. The most common:
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy can be related to several other problems, including high blood pressure as a result of renal failure and hyperthyroidism. Some breeds may be predisposed to HCM.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy is caused by insufficient amounts of taurine in a cat's diet. Since the discovery of this essential amino acid, pet food manufacturers have added it to cat food, therefore the incidence of this disease is not as common.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy can be related to several other problems, including high blood pressure as a result of renal failure and hyperthyroidism. Some breeds may be predisposed to HCM.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy is caused by insufficient amounts of taurine in a cat's diet. Since the discovery of this essential amino acid, pet food manufacturers have added it to cat food, therefore the incidence of this disease is not as common.
Pronunciation: hy-per-tro-fik card-e-o-my-op-a-thee
Examples: Shannon was a poor risk for surgery because of his underlying hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
