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Here's the report from the cardiologist:
Cardiac Evaluation Report
Exam Date: 04-02-2024
Patient Details
Name Russell
Species Feline
Breed Domestic Short Hair
Age 13 years
Sex Male Neutered
Diagnosis
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (thick heart muscle disease)
Rule out contributing hyperthyroidism (grey-zone T4 on recent lab work)
Normal left atrium
Moderate left ventricular hypertrophy (heart muscle thickening) with normal heart muscle function
Trace mitral, tricuspid, and aortic valve regurgitation - likely normal age-related changes
Other medical problems:
Stress / sometimes fractious at the vet - did well today with gabapentin
Reduced jumping, discomfort at times - rule out arthritis
Moderate periodontal (dental) disease
Overweight
Medications
No cardiac medications are recommended at this time.
For future veterinary visits, keep on hand gabapentin 100 mg capsules: Give 1 capsule 2 - 3 hours prior to arrival at clinic. (In some cases to mitigate added stress if he worsens over time, you can also give 1 capsule the night prior in addition to 1 capsule the day of his visit). You can give the entire capsule, or open it and sprinkle the contents on 1 tablespoon of wet food.
Begin fish oil supplements (omega-3 fatty acids) at approximately EPA ~275 mg and DHA ~175 mg total per day. Start at 1/2 the dose for one week, then increase to the full dose if tolerating well. Please avoid Cod liver oil, flax seed oil, or products with xylitol, Vit A and/or D. Welactin and Nordic Naturals are reputable brands.
Other Guidelines
See www.cvcavets.com for more information about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Diet and Activity
Russell is currently 17.6 lbs and his ideal weight is closer to ~14 lbs. Some tips to help are:
Feed 25% less food per day
Give fewer treats per day
Gradually switch to a low calorie food
If these changes do not help, please contact your primary care vet to discuss prescription diet food. A cardiac-specific diet is not necessary at this time.
End Pet Obesity: Find If Your Pet Is Overweight | Hill's Pet
For more information about nutrition and heart disease in pets go to: HeartSmart | Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine Continue to allow normal activity.
Monitoring:
Russell is currently at low risk for signs of heart failure (fluid in or around the lungs). Signs of worsening heart disease include:
Hiding
Decreased appetite
Difficulty breathing and/or coughing
Decreased interest in, or tiring with play
Weakness and/or collapse
Signs of a clot (always an emergency): suddenly not using one or more legs with signs of pain (meowing/ yowling, uncomfortable) or disorientation.
If you are concerned about the above symptoms, contact a veterinarian. If symptoms are severe, seek emergency care.
Anesthesia/Fluid/Steroid Risk (for your veterinarian):
Russell is currently at low risk for cardiac-related complications.
For anesthesia, we recommend: conservative rate of IV fluids (2-4 ml/kg/hr, or as clinically indicated), caution with drugs that have profound effects on blood pressure and heart rate (i.e. dexmedetomidine, high dose ketamine, telazol, high dose acepromazine, or atropine [other than for bradycardia]). For further questions, consider consultation with an anesthesiologist.
Ok for carefully monitored fluid therapy or steroids as required. Avoid long acting corticosteroids.
Recheck Plan
Please recheck with regular vet in the next 1 - 2 months for a recheck T4 and free T4 to rule out developing hyperthyroidism (which could contribute to cardiac changes). Please forward these results when available.
Please recheck with regular vet every 6 months for wellness care as directed, with close auscultation, blood pressure (Doppler method preferred), and complete labs (CBC, chemistry profile, urinalysis, thyroid level). Please forward these results when available.
Please recheck with cardiologist in 6 months for a follow up consultation, physical exam, blood pressure, and echocardiogram. Please contact us or schedule an earlier appointment if Russell has any signs of worsening heart disease or if recommended by regular vet.
Cardiac Evaluation Report
Exam Date: 04-02-2024
Patient Details
Name Russell
Species Feline
Breed Domestic Short Hair
Age 13 years
Sex Male Neutered
Diagnosis
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (thick heart muscle disease)
Rule out contributing hyperthyroidism (grey-zone T4 on recent lab work)
Normal left atrium
Moderate left ventricular hypertrophy (heart muscle thickening) with normal heart muscle function
Trace mitral, tricuspid, and aortic valve regurgitation - likely normal age-related changes
Other medical problems:
Stress / sometimes fractious at the vet - did well today with gabapentin
Reduced jumping, discomfort at times - rule out arthritis
Moderate periodontal (dental) disease
Overweight
Medications
No cardiac medications are recommended at this time.
For future veterinary visits, keep on hand gabapentin 100 mg capsules: Give 1 capsule 2 - 3 hours prior to arrival at clinic. (In some cases to mitigate added stress if he worsens over time, you can also give 1 capsule the night prior in addition to 1 capsule the day of his visit). You can give the entire capsule, or open it and sprinkle the contents on 1 tablespoon of wet food.
Begin fish oil supplements (omega-3 fatty acids) at approximately EPA ~275 mg and DHA ~175 mg total per day. Start at 1/2 the dose for one week, then increase to the full dose if tolerating well. Please avoid Cod liver oil, flax seed oil, or products with xylitol, Vit A and/or D. Welactin and Nordic Naturals are reputable brands.
Other Guidelines
See www.cvcavets.com for more information about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Diet and Activity
Russell is currently 17.6 lbs and his ideal weight is closer to ~14 lbs. Some tips to help are:
Feed 25% less food per day
Give fewer treats per day
Gradually switch to a low calorie food
If these changes do not help, please contact your primary care vet to discuss prescription diet food. A cardiac-specific diet is not necessary at this time.
End Pet Obesity: Find If Your Pet Is Overweight | Hill's Pet
For more information about nutrition and heart disease in pets go to: HeartSmart | Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine Continue to allow normal activity.
Monitoring:
Russell is currently at low risk for signs of heart failure (fluid in or around the lungs). Signs of worsening heart disease include:
Hiding
Decreased appetite
Difficulty breathing and/or coughing
Decreased interest in, or tiring with play
Weakness and/or collapse
Signs of a clot (always an emergency): suddenly not using one or more legs with signs of pain (meowing/ yowling, uncomfortable) or disorientation.
If you are concerned about the above symptoms, contact a veterinarian. If symptoms are severe, seek emergency care.
Anesthesia/Fluid/Steroid Risk (for your veterinarian):
Russell is currently at low risk for cardiac-related complications.
For anesthesia, we recommend: conservative rate of IV fluids (2-4 ml/kg/hr, or as clinically indicated), caution with drugs that have profound effects on blood pressure and heart rate (i.e. dexmedetomidine, high dose ketamine, telazol, high dose acepromazine, or atropine [other than for bradycardia]). For further questions, consider consultation with an anesthesiologist.
Ok for carefully monitored fluid therapy or steroids as required. Avoid long acting corticosteroids.
Recheck Plan
Please recheck with regular vet in the next 1 - 2 months for a recheck T4 and free T4 to rule out developing hyperthyroidism (which could contribute to cardiac changes). Please forward these results when available.
Please recheck with regular vet every 6 months for wellness care as directed, with close auscultation, blood pressure (Doppler method preferred), and complete labs (CBC, chemistry profile, urinalysis, thyroid level). Please forward these results when available.
Please recheck with cardiologist in 6 months for a follow up consultation, physical exam, blood pressure, and echocardiogram. Please contact us or schedule an earlier appointment if Russell has any signs of worsening heart disease or if recommended by regular vet.