[[Image:hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.jpg|right|thumb|125px|<small><center>'''Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (cat)'''. Courtesy of T. Scase</center></small>]]
−
−
''Incidence:''
−
−
The cat is most commonly affected.
−
There is some evidence of inheritance, as in man, and the disease is said to be more common in male cats. There is a wide age range of 7 months to 24 years.
−
−
Inherited in Maine Coon cats.
−
−
''Clinical signs:''
−
−
Grossly there is disproportionate hypertrophy of the left ventricle and often the interventricular septum. The chamber size is dramatically reduced.
−
−
Histologically there is haphazard hypertrophy of the myocardial fibres.
−
−
The reduction in left ventricular volume and the stiffened ventricular wall results in diastolic dysfunction, the stroke volume is reduced resulting in congestive heart failure and the following clinical signs:
−
−
[[Image:hypertrophic cardiomyopathy 2.jpg|right|thumb|125px|<small><center>'''Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (cat)'''. Courtesy of T. Scase</center></small>]]
−
−
*Tachycardia.
−
*Arrhythmia (abnormal myocardium)
−
*Dyspnoea.
−
−
The force of the left ventricular contraction reduces afterload and reduces end-systolic volume to zero in some cases. This is '''cavity obliteration'''.
−
−
*[[Atrial_Thrombosis|Thromboembolic disease]] is a frequent complication. The thromboemboli most often impact in the femoral arteries manifesting as an acute hindlimb paralysis.