Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Cats

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Cats

By: PetPlace Veterinarians

Section: Veterinary Care In-depth

Treatment In-depth

  • No treatment may be recommended for very mild cases with no symptoms, but regular follow-up vet visits are vital.

  • Initial hospital admission and stay is often recommended for severe cases, such as congestive heart failure (fluid accumulation in lung or chest cavity), abnormal heart rhythms, blood clots, kidney failure, and/or low blood pressure or shock.

  • Oxygen, diuretics and/or nitroglycerine ointment may be given for initial treatment of congestive heart failure.

  • Tapping abnormal fluid accumulations(thoracocentesis) from the chest cavity is needed when fluid when present and interferes with breathing.

  • Blood clot complications need treated with additional medications (for pain and clot control). (NOTE: Clot-busting drugs (TPAs) have been effective in cats, but have very serious side effects.).


  • Dietary modifications in cats with obvious heart failure is sometimes recommended (such as a sodium-restricted prescription or medical diet).

  • Beta-blockers to slow heart rate, minimize the impact of stress and reduce obstruction of the heart's ventricular outlet.

  • Diltiazem (a calcium channel antagonist) if congestive heart failure or abnormal heart muscle relaxation is evident; Dilacor or Cardizem CD (long-acting forms of diltiazem) may be recommended for the convenience of once-daily dosing.

  • Enalapril or benazepril (to reduce blood pressure) can be recommended for cats with heart failure to reduce activity of harmful hormones and reduce sodium retention.

  • Diuretics (to promote urine secretion) for fluid accumulation.

  • Nitrates (topically applied with a gloved hand to a relatively hairless area, such as the inside of the ear) for home use if difficulty in breathing or home medicating is a problem; old dose wiped off before new dose applied.

  • Aspirin or coumadin for high-risk clot-formation cases.

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