Let's talk breathing rate. It's important that you monitor your cat's breathing rate many times a day. An HCM cat may be fine one minute, and then suddenly go into CHF. How do you know? Count the breathing rate. I tell you to count in 15 seconds because it's easier to watch the cat and your watch. But the breathing rate is really counted as a "minute". So, take 15 seconds and times it by four for a minute rate. But 15 seconds is a good way to start. How many up and down chest movements in 15 seconds? One up and down is ONE COUNT. 6 at rest is great. The cat is fine. 8 at rest and the cat may be heading into CHF. 10 or more and the cat likely has CHF and needs another dose of diuretic if you have it, or a trip to the vet or ER vet. What I like to do is count the rate; let the cat sit for a minute; then count again. Is the rate increasing? Slowing? Staying the same? Try again. Then decide.
Normal cats have a fluctuating rate while at rest, watching birds, listening to noise, preparing to eat, etc. But normal cats can have a sustained rate and tolerate it because it will decline. But HCM cats don't have that luxury because it likely indicates CHF. What is CHF? Congestive heart failure-when the heart is too enlarged to take IN all of the blood/fluid circulating and the rest falls into the lungs. This is PULMONARY EDEMA and can only be gotten rid of with a DIURETIC like furosemide. The other issue can be PLEURAL EFFUSION when fluid builds up AROUND the lungs. This can only be gotten rid of with a needle extraction by the vet AND a diuretic.
Both conditions of CHF will also need oxygen from the vet. WHY? Because fluid in the lungs prevents the blood that passes from the heart INTO the lungs from getting oxygen from the lungs and moving on to the brain, organs, body, etc. This leads to a decrease in organ function, a decrease in the body's ability to handle the disease or to properly function.
CHF is also a DROWNING IN THE LUNGS, when a cat cannot breathe, not simply a cold or simple congestion as humans can get. (Humans can die of CHF but often humans think of CHF in cats/dogs as a cold. It is not.)
If you have diuretic on hand, if the cat is on a regular dose (typically it calls for a maintenance dose of 2.5-5mg twice or more a day as needed for example) you should give the cat another dose if you suspect CHF. 2.5-5 is a good start. Wait about 20 minutes for it to kick in and continue to monitor. Don't hesitate to go to the vet/ER vet for oxygen and injected diuretic if the cat does not improve. Time is of the essence.
AND since it's winter and recently severely cold, remember to keep your cats inside; keep them warm, not hot; keep them out of opened windows even if it is warm where you are. Too much cold or humidity (and windows get a lot of cold air blasting through, or the sun overheating them) can bring on CHF. Stress-noise, car rides, visitors, construction noise-can cause stress. Try to keep them calm and remove them from the stress if possible (another room?) or monitor as always.
If your cat is not already on diuretics, ask the vet why and ask for a prescription so that you have them on hand when the time comes. You want to stay AHEAD of the issue, not try to fight it AFTER it has arrived. Katharine-our latest HCM-is not on them yet but I do have new pills on hand just in case.
Good luck!
Bette: tail straight up, jumping up and running around since her post Christmas/January illness. We are titrating down the steroid and will continue to monitor in case it returns.
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