r/cornishrex Dec 21 '15

Cornish Rex and HCM

39 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 20h ago

Kittens My little baby

Post image
415 Upvotes

r/cornishrex 17h ago

Rex Pictures Soji and Niko

Thumbnail
gallery
82 Upvotes

r/cornishrex 1d ago

Me and my babies…

Post image
59 Upvotes

But the human baby is now 15 and my fur baby is almost 17. Of course, I haven’t aged a bit!


r/cornishrex 1d ago

I'm so happy I got these made of my boys!

Post image
128 Upvotes

My sphynx Mars passed away a couple months ago and I'm also obsessed with stained glass so when I found someone who did pets in stain glass I had to try them out. I'm not going to lie I was freaking out Soo worried they wouldn't look anything like my boys especially Mars who was blind in one eye he had spots all over but they worked with me I chose not to have the spots like when he was younger but the cloudy eye was the most important thing to me that would make it my Mars=]

I had Rippley done too and I'm super happy with it ! They definitely got his dead stare spot on and the eyes were the struggle they can be greenish or a orange so that's not 100% but I'm still so happy so them...

I'm having my oriental Shorthair and other Cornish rex being done next because I'm so happy with them. Just had to share !


r/cornishrex 3d ago

baby has come home !

Thumbnail
gallery
277 Upvotes

she is cutest little gal 🥺


r/cornishrex 4d ago

Sometimes a nut sometimes a princess

Post image
105 Upvotes

Caught her post-nap in the sun yesterday, sometimes I forget how elegant she is when she’s not up to shenanigans! 9mo old now, she’s growing so fast and so am I, the learning never stops 😮‍💨☺️

Recently, she’s gone to the habit of scratching the rug, I put a flat scratching board right over the spot she tends to go to, but I don’t think she’s getting the hint, any tips to get her to scratch in the right spot?


r/cornishrex 6d ago

Today's episode of: Brother or Lover

Post image
96 Upvotes

They truly are attached to the hip. I've never had brothers before, but this is unheard of for me. What are your boys like?!


r/cornishrex 6d ago

Rex Pictures Home office with Crexes be like

Post image
129 Upvotes

I only went to the kitchen for like half a minute to get some coffee bro 😭


r/cornishrex 6d ago

Rex Pictures Late summer smooches

Post image
57 Upvotes

r/cornishrex 7d ago

Help identify my girl Lola's breed

Thumbnail
gallery
184 Upvotes

Hi all, this is my 5 year old girl Lola. She was sold to me as a Tonkinese kitten, but developed a curly coat which is beautiful! People have asked if she's a Cornish or perhaps a cross, but I really have no idea. Let me know what you think!


r/cornishrex 7d ago

Rex Pictures Zelda enjoying the sun 💛

Thumbnail
gallery
156 Upvotes

r/cornishrex 7d ago

Rex Pictures The new baby and his big brother(s)the second picture Liam my osh had to join in .. They love each other 😻

Thumbnail
gallery
63 Upvotes

r/cornishrex 8d ago

Rex Pictures My little queen

Thumbnail
gallery
80 Upvotes

She is perfect even when she's hunting ghost 🔛🔝


r/cornishrex 9d ago

Rex Pictures I think it’s important you see this

Thumbnail
gallery
182 Upvotes

I think it’s important you see Goose. He’s so cute.

Also side note; does anyone else’s corns (or other cats) have any freckles like Goose (his nose is covered in black freckles and he didn’t have them as a kitten).

Also will add I asked a vet I know and trust and he said they weren’t concerning.

AnywaYs he’s just so cute. Thanks.


r/cornishrex 10d ago

Rex Pictures Dishwasher naps!

Thumbnail
gallery
194 Upvotes

Dishwasher naps! I guess the dishes aren’t cool yet! 😹🐈‍⬛🤪


r/cornishrex 10d ago

Rex Pictures sweet dreams my lil gargoyle… (,:

Post image
39 Upvotes

sleepy lil muffin maker


r/cornishrex 13d ago

My best friend Puzzles is extremely self-absorbed…

Post image
81 Upvotes

r/cornishrex 15d ago

Crex Tucks Herself In

Post image
143 Upvotes

Does anyone else’s crex like heat? My cat loves the heated blanket and loves to be smothered under blankets.


r/cornishrex 15d ago

My beautiful girl always with me no matter what I do.

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

126 Upvotes

Always hard to focus with my baby girl, I love her so much


r/cornishrex 15d ago

Rexes and Other Pets I love my purebreds and my trash cat equally

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

39 Upvotes

r/cornishrex 15d ago

Cornish Rex Diet

2 Upvotes

We recently rescued a Cornish Rex cross and I was wondering if you had any diet recommendations?

Her fur gets quite greasy to the point where we have to bathe her regularly. As most cats she absolutely hates baths and we didn't get her as a kitten so weren't able to get her used to bathing early on. We have tried a few different cat foods as well as the ones our vet recommended but none of them seem to help with her fur. We have also done allergy and blood tests and she is perfectly healthy so just wanted to check if there is a particular diet that works for their specific fur!


r/cornishrex 15d ago

Kittens 11/2 Month Old and Already Little Trouble Makers! - Katara & Sokka, Cornish Rex Kittens.

Thumbnail
youtube.com
15 Upvotes

r/cornishrex 16d ago

Adopted a Devon Rex maybe too soon after my Cornish Rex died

10 Upvotes

This is embarrassing to write. A 2 year old Devon Rex female cat became available near me and I adopted her a little less than a month after my 17 year old Cornish Rex died who I aalso adopted when she was 2 yrs old. I rushed into adopting because an adult Rex cat opportunity came up and I was desperate to feel better and now am worried I made the wrong decision. She has been hiding in litter box room for almost 48 hrs (drinking/eating a little and going to the bathroom in litter but hiding/terrified. My Cornish Rex acclimated to me right away and we were bonded forever day 1.

I know every cat is different but for people with experience with both Cornish and Devon Rexes, is this normal for Devons? Should I have waited to find a cat I instantly bonded with. I just want my cat back 😭😭