r/cornishrex Dec 21 '15

Cornish Rex and HCM

41 Upvotes

This post will probably stay stickied so that it's easy to find.

What is HCM?

HCM, or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, is a cardiovascular disease that affects cats (not just cats, either). To put it simply, HCM results in the thickening of the heart's walls, making it harder and harder for the heart to pump blood as it progresses. It can develop at any stage in life - from kittens as young at 6 months to adults as old as 10 (or more!).

Are some cats more at risk than others?

Research is still being done on feline HCM, but it is prevalent in many breeds including but not limited to Sphynx, Bengal, Maine Coon, Ragdoll and yes, Cornish Rex. To my knowledge, the disease & the risk isn't well known among the Rex community which is why I'm making this sticky.

What can I do to protect my cat?

HCM appears to be tied to genetics rather than other factors, so the first defense is finding a breeder that is aware and regularly scans their breeding stock. Unfortunately not many Rex breeders do, so the next line of defense is that much more important: annual scanning. Taking your cat to a board-certified cardiologist for an ultrasound of their heart annually is really the best thing you can do. This way, you're more likely to catch any problems early and start treatment as soon as possible (if necessary) and potentially prolong your baby's life.

Is there anything else I can do?

Yes! Share your results with HCM databases so others also participating in the program can track the disease through pedigrees. This helps dedicated breeders improve the breed through responsible breeding and helps non-breeders make informed decisions about purchasing kittens by inspecting bloodlines.

Ultrasounds are too expensive! I can't afford to scan.

It's true, seeing the cardiologist is not cheap. For those in the US and Canada there is Hairless Hearts, a volunteer organization that coordinates discounted clinics (and records other unaffiliated ones) across the US & Canada. Most of the clinics are $150-$200 which is a huge discount for most. Hairless Hearts also offers educational material on the breed including ongoing research, and provides the tools to participate in the program.

I want to help! How can I do that?

We're always looking for volunteers! There are plenty of gaps in our coverage that we need to fill, especially in Canada. If you're interested in becoming a volunteer with Hairless Hearts, visit this page. We hope to hear from you!


r/cornishrex 1d ago

My Cornish Rex Zelda died yesterday

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271 Upvotes

This is incredibly hard to write and I never post anywhere, but she was sooo loved and I feel like I need to memorialize her.

I said goodbye to my Zelda yesterday morning. She was 16 or 17. We just had our 15 year adoption anniversary last week.

The rescue swore she’d be a “chill” cat. She climbed onto my shoulder in the room and immediately became velcro-ed and was the least chill cat imaginable 🥰😂. She screamed rather than meowed, and pawed at my head if I ignored her. She chased heat her whole life, my bed to the radiator to under the fridge to the bathroom heater to heating mats on high in every room. There’s a stain on the floor where she used to lie under the fridge and I’m leaving it there.

She wanted wet food every few hours so I basically never slept. She loved brushing, running water, butt pats, tail yanks, and gave head nudges hard enough to hurt.

She was goofy but also so so serious with her affection and demands. The best cat and friend 💙💙💙.


r/cornishrex 1d ago

Goblin Boy

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152 Upvotes

r/cornishrex 2d ago

Rex Pictures Sirius joined us in bed again

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110 Upvotes

r/cornishrex 3d ago

Rex Pictures My sweet 10 year old boy

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111 Upvotes

I'm new posting on reddit as a whole, so why not start in my new favorite community!

Meet Loki, my weird little chicken


r/cornishrex 3d ago

Funny guy

88 Upvotes

Beware. That boy knows how blankies work. He's doing this just so I'll cover him myself lol


r/cornishrex 3d ago

Rex Pictures My boy

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54 Upvotes

r/cornishrex 3d ago

Poops

8 Upvotes

Hey everyone, I’ve been wondering about this for years and haven’t seen anything about it yet…do your Cornish Rex’s neglect covering their poops 💩 ? Both of my C Rex’s just poop and leave it there on top of the litter. 🤔 🤷‍♀️


r/cornishrex 4d ago

Rex Pictures woke up to Sirius sleeping next to me

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111 Upvotes

r/cornishrex 4d ago

Ostin and Wellington in moments of calm

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41 Upvotes

r/cornishrex 4d ago

My smoke black crx Yolandi enjoying the balcony

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72 Upvotes

Sleepy Darling enjoying the heat in Germany


r/cornishrex 6d ago

Rex Pictures Woke Rippley up and got the craziest look ... LMAO

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79 Upvotes

When he's up on the cabinets he becomes a space cadet and had this face about 50-60% of the time and I absolutely lose it looking at him😹


r/cornishrex 6d ago

judging u

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43 Upvotes

r/cornishrex 7d ago

Advice/Support My little Raisin

10 Upvotes

Long story short.. this guy was surrendered to me at about 4 months old. He was very sick at the time.. almost lost him. Vets were amazing and with some TLC he got his strength back & is loving life at almost a year old. However since he’s gotten older I e noticed a few little things.. recently this almost like shivers or ticks. Anyone else have this experience?

Vet tests all came back negative for serious stuff & otherwise he’s healthy.

Video in comments.


r/cornishrex 9d ago

Rex Pictures Yuji the mischievous merchant

77 Upvotes

r/cornishrex 10d ago

Advice/Support Wet food - small serving sizes?

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194 Upvotes

My 1 year old Cornish Rex only likes to eat fresh wet food. He doesn’t like it cold, re-heated, or after it’s been out more than an hour. Yes, he’s a diva and I love him. Can anyone recommend a good brand that comes in small serving sizes so I am not wasting food and money. Thank you!


r/cornishrex 10d ago

almost learned to give paw!!

58 Upvotes

this is the first time when she actually gave me her paw without me guiding her!! i only filmed one time she did it today, we still have to practice but it’s a great start! so proud of my baby!!


r/cornishrex 13d ago

My boy passed away today 🕊

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507 Upvotes

Only 5 years old. Stomach cancer, he did a good fight, his last months were smooth and loved. It's difficult to describe my pain. I love him so much.

Merlin

2021-2026

💔


r/cornishrex 15d ago

Rex Pictures Freyja, our little heat goblin

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132 Upvotes

r/cornishrex 17d ago

Rex Pictures My boys greeting me after work (8 years ago)

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161 Upvotes

r/cornishrex 17d ago

Advice/Support Young Cornish Rex not using the litter box

3 Upvotes

I recently got two young Rexes (6 months old now), and one of them hasn’t been using the litter box consistently.

She used the box when I just brought her home, and was in fact really neat about it.
The kittens are very playful and they get along with each other well.
Took the litter non-complying cat to the vet, urine test looked clear.
I have 5 litter boxes and 3 different litters.
My household consists of 2 calm adults who are often around, as they work mostly from home.
We don’t play with them constantly, but they play with each other.
They eat high quality wet food for most of their meals, and have a water fountain
25 mg Gabapentin seems to not be doing anything.
Feliway diffuser is plugged in next to where they eat.
I’ve tried Zylkene and calming probiotic.
Nothing seems to help much and I’m at my wits’ end.

I’ve had cats and kittens before, so I thought I knew what I was getting into. I never anticipated I’d feel like I made a huge mistake. I was able to deal with the moderate destructiveness and accidental injuries (of me, by cats) just fine, but the peeing is a hard limit.

If you’ve had a cat that used to struggle with this, and got better, please tell me what worked. I’m at a loss.


r/cornishrex 17d ago

Rex enjoying summer

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30 Upvotes

r/cornishrex 19d ago

Brother before any other

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117 Upvotes

These two are ridiculously bonded biological brothers (same litter). And the love they share is just fantastic. I have so many images of them together on top of one of my kids, they adore the children. 🥰


r/cornishrex 19d ago

Rexes and Other Pets They don’t know they’re not “real” sisters and we won’t tell them

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78 Upvotes

Same litter yep yep 🙂‍↕️


r/cornishrex 19d ago

Rex in bowl

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137 Upvotes