February 2023 - My waitlists are FULL. Third-party kittens are available!
February 2023 - My waitlists are FULL. Third-party kittens are available!
Some breeds of cats are simply more prone to developing Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) than others. Sphynxes are one of them, along with Maine Coons and Ragdolls. HCM is, essentially, a thickening of the muscular walls of a cat's heart. You may read as much as 5-25% of Sphynxes develop this in their lifetimes. It is essential that you understand this before you purchase a Sphynx.
HCM can show up at any time of the kitten/cat’s life, whether the queen or sire have HCM or not. It is not strictly hereditary. For this reason, we do not and cannot guarantee your kitten will live HCM-free.
Cats with HCM can survive and thrive. Yes, some can and do die from its complications. As breeders, it is our responsibility to never breed cats who have tested positive for HCM.
I have my cats scanned ANNUALLY for HCM and both are HCM-free thus far. Can one develop it in the future? Absolutely. This is why I do it annually. This can be expensive as it is typically done with an animal cardiologist (specialist), at over $400 per cat. While with the cardiologist, I also have them do an echo-cardiograph for other heart issues. We recommend that you at least scan for HCM annually as well because bad enough forms of HCM can require treatment/medication. There is no cure for HCM.
Again, there are things a breeder can do to mitigate HCM in their lines, but sometimes its just luck of the draw on an individual basis. Please HCM-scan your Sphynx!
We also do B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) tests semi-annually. This does not have to be done with the cardiologist. This is a less expensive test that can detect some heart issues. Please consult your veterinarian.
Note: It is not uncommon for low-grade heart murmurs to be detected in your kitten by your veterinarian. They can grow out of it. An adult cat with a heart murmurs is more of a cause for concern.