Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a young cat: silente challenge – case report

Abstract

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most prevalent disease of the cardiac muscle in cats. The condition can be primary or secondary to other diseases, such as hyperthyroidism, systemic arterial hypertension, or subaortic stenosis. HCM is characterized by thickening of the free wall of the left ventricle and/or the interventricular septum. Clinical signs are variable and when present include dyspnea, murmur and arrhythmias, as well as non-specific signs. The aim of this case repost is to alert clinicians to the importance of investigating changes in physical parameters such as systemic blood pressure and heart rate, and to consider HCM as a differential diagnosis in young cats.