December 2011 - Amber Seabrook
Amber is an elderly but spritely seventeen year old Maine Coon cat. In September 2010, whilst being examined , the veterinary surgeon noticed that Amber had developed a grade 3/6 heart murmur (Grade 1 is the softest-sounding murmur, and Grade 6 is the loudest). Amber was referred to vet Mark Bingham to have a ultrasound heart scan.
The ultrasound scan revealed that Amber had developed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, this is a disease of the heart where areas of heart muscle enlarge and thicken. It is the most common heart disease in cats and is irreversible.
Amber was placed on two heart medication drugs, one to dilate the blood vessels around Ambers body making it easier for the heart to pump blood and the other to slow the heart rate to allow it to pump more efficiently. By combining these drugs it was hoped that the progression of the disease would be slowed or stopped altogether.
Amber was seen on a regular basis over the year for a variety of complaints, however her heart medication had been working well and Amber was in good health.
One year after the initial ultrasound, Amber’s heart was scanned again to make sure that her condition had not deteriorated. This ultrasound showed the heart to be in much the same condition as it had been a year ago .
Amber will be examined by a vet every 3 months to ensure that her medication is working and that condition does not deteriorate.
