Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common heart disease in cats, causing progressive welfare impairment through cardiac failure, thromboembolism, and respiratory distress.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy causes progressive breathing difficulty, exercise intolerance, and risk of sudden hind limb paralysis from aortic clot formation. Aortic thromboembolism is acutely painful and distressing. Cardiac screening in breeding animals of predisposed breeds reduces the frequency of affected kittens. Genetic testing in Maine Coons and Ragdolls can eliminate specific mutations from breeding lines.