Are Bengal cats prone to HCM?

Bengals are prone to a heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or HCM, otherwise known as “the silent killer.” This form of heart disease is often inherited and may even be recessive or dormant in both parents. The disease can, therefore, pop up after generations of breeding.

How Long Can cats live with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?

The prognosis for cats with HCM is very variable – some cats may never develop clinical signs and will live normally for many years. Once symptoms appear, most cats survive less than two years; if the first symptom is a blood clot, the average survival time is only six months.

Is HCM genetic in Bengal cats?

At present, there is no genetic test for HCM in Bengal cats. Because of this, you may hear some breeders argue that getting a cardiologist to check breeding cats’ hearts by echocardiogram is not worth doing. A cat could be HCM negative one day, and six months later, the cat could become HCM positive.

What is the life expectancy of a Bengal cat?

12 to 16 years
Top Bengal Cat Claims Bengal cats are relatively healthy, and you can expect them to live an average of 12 to 16 years or more with proper care.

What percentage of cats have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?

Cats are most commonly affected by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), with a prevalence of 10-15% in the general pet cat population [4]. However, breeds such as the Maine Coon cat, Persian, Ragdoll, and Sphynx are at higher risk.

What diseases are Bengal cats prone to?

Like all cats, Bengals are susceptible to bacterial and viral infections such as panleukopenia, calicivirus, rhinotracheitis, and rabies, which are preventable through vaccination.

What is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats?

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most commonly diagnosed cardiac disease in cats. Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a condition that causes the muscular walls of a cat’s heart to thicken, decreasing the heart’s efficiency and sometimes creating symptoms in other parts of the body.

What kind of heart disease does a Bengal cat have?

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a heart disease present in many breeds of cats of all ages: from a few months to over 15 years old. All breeds are concerned, including the “Bengal cat”. There is no test to date for Bengal.

Is feline cardiomyopathy an emergency?

In the acute phase, feline cardiomyopathy is an emergency that involves hospitalization if one wishes to limit as much as possible a loss of luck for the cat. The signs of heart failure will be treated intensively and adapted to each case: resuscitation, oxygen therapy, pleural puncture, …

Can hyperthyroidism cause heart problems in cats?

Hyperthyroidism in Cats Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most commonly diagnosed cardiac disease in cats. Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a condition that causes the muscular walls of a cat’s heart to thicken, decreasing the heart’s efficiency and sometimes creating symptoms in other parts of the body.