Why is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy a concern under anesthesia?

With diseases like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), it’s hard for the heart to fill with enough blood, and for the heart to function properly. Sadly, this disease results in a higher death rate, so special care is taken for cats afflicted with this disease who undergo anesthesia.  

Special anesthesia consideration include:

• Knowing what the patient’s resting blood pressure is, and how to manage changes to it, that are expected to occur under anesthesia
• Knowing what is the ideal heart rate under anesthesia
• Carefully addressing the heart so we don’t make it work too hard
• Knowing whether or not the cat requires special fluids to be given through an IV catheter during the procedure
• Knowing what drugs are safe and help with pain management
• Understanding of what are important things to monitor for and how to interpret the feedback the monitor provides
• Guiding steps to help with recovery of the patient from anesthesia, and how to keep them comfortable

Want to know more? Talk to your veterinarian and request a consultation by Mythos Veterinary! Your veterinarian, a veterinary cardiologist or internist and a DACVAA make a winning team for your pet with cardiac disease.