Reggie's Echo Results

Reggie does have mild HCM; only some slight thickening in the left ventricle, but NOT in the left atrium which the doctor told me is when it is really bad. She said his asthma is totally unrelated so we can probably get him started on some steroids for that. She agreed with the radiologist too that his asthma is mild and should stop with the steroids. So, this doctor needs to speak and send the lab results to my current vet for follow up....BUT...she was very surprised b/c Reggie has NO heart murmur....both her and my regular vet confirmed they don't hear any sort of heart murmur, so that is good I guess?! Really, when I think about it, the only reason we found out about this mild thickening was b/c he coughs from his asthma which led to the chest x-ray to this...Like the cardiologist said yesterday, if she was just doing a routine exam on him she would have had no reason to suggest an echocardiogram for him, so this makes me think how many other sphynx' could have this and not even know it! Reggie's breeder told me both his parents are clear of HCM, but I'm wondering if one of them has it midly and doesn't even know it.

Like the doctor told me today, the "good" thing about HCM is that it is so variable. They just don't know if/when it will progress, if at all, from animal to animal....He could live a very long life if it doesn't progress, or he could get worse. She is concerned because of his age (he'll be 1 year old in April), but said we should check again in 6 months to see if there has been any changes. Then, after that, maybe check once a year. She is not putting him on any medications for the heart just yet; she said though in 6 months, even if there has been no changes, we still might put him on medication then....I guess we'll wait to see what she recommends. She was a very good cardiologist though and didn't rush me at all with my questions...for $600 she shouldn't! haha! (But I got Care Credit and can pay in 3 payments, interest free). Of course they couldn't get Reggie to lay on his side "like a normal cat", so she wrapped him up in the blanket I brought with him and sat him in her lap and did the ultrasound that way. What a character he is. Marley is so much better at the vet's compared to Reggie!

If anyone has advice pertaining to mild HCM, please let me know. I've heard that adding taurine to his diet is good for heart conditions. Anyone familiar?

Wordless Wednesday

Mini disclaimer: I know it's "Wordless Wednesday" but I should say that this was the temperature when I got in my car yesterday afternoon; after driving for a bit, the temperature steadied off in the 80's. Still, very warm! And now they are predicting heavy rain for 3 days starting tomorrow. Go figure!

Reggie and his sweater

Contrary to what you may think, sphynx, at least my two, don't like sweaters! Here is Reggie and his attempt to get it off. Even tempting him with treats didn't fool him that he had it on. He kept walking backwards to get it off.

PS: Reggie's echocardiogram is Friday - Please keep him in your purrers.

Building a Fort

Marley especially loves to sleep in a "fort". We often help him build it, but nonetheless, he'll sleep in there for hours. That is, until lil' brother comes and finds where he's been hiding.

Bath time

Not your typical bath, but the following pictures were taken back in August 2008 probably within the first few weeks we brought Reggie into our home. You can see how tiny he was and how Marley absolutely fell in love with his brother from the get go. Even to this day the baths only go one way, with Marley bathing Reggie. Reggie is a little selfish in that way I guess!

Speaking of bathing Reggie...that took place last Sunday and what an ordeal that always is...as you recall Marley is very, very good with his baths, but Reggie on the other hand...

My long sleeve shirt was soaking by the end, water was all over the floor and Reggie squealed like a little piglet during most of it - no joke, that was the sound he was making. Poor thing. He then slept the rest of the day and wouldn't even purr for me like he usually does if he's napping and I start rubbing his back. Weird thing is, he enjoys sitting on the sink while I'm washing my face and brushing my teeth, but wants nothing to do with water when it involves him! Sphynx need regular baths because they don't have the hair to absorb the body oils. Lucky for me, and Reggie, he only gets a bath every three weeks.

Frootbat Friday with Marley

My dad likes to hold me like this - I'm not quite sure why, but it sure shows off my ears...and my belly. The faint white dot is where I was connected to my mom with my umbilical cord.

I love lounging on my blanket by the window. You can see I am stretching here and I am oh, so comfortable. These pictures were also taken 3 months before my little brother arrived in our family.

This is my "yoda" pose!

Tumbling Thursday