Diagnosis of Feline Cardiomyopathies Beyond Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

General classification of feline myocardial disease
Feline cardiomyopathies were originally categorized as hypertrophic, dilated, restrictive, or unclassified, with the later addition of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathies are also divided into primary (in which the myocardial changes are the major abnormality such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; HCM) and secondary (in which a multiorgan systemic disease such as hyperthyroidism also affects the myocardium). Primary cardiomyopathies are divided in those with a genetic basis, those with an acquired etiology, or those with a combination of genetic and acquired factors (mixed). HCM, for example, is considered genetic in humans. There is strong evidence that HCM can be genetic in cats: two separate mutations in myosin-binding protein C have been documented in Maine Coons and Ragdolls with HCM. Nevertheless, in the majority of feline cardiomyopathy cases, we can only guess at the etiology. Cats are also affected with secondary cardiomyopathies such
as hyperthyroidism, taurine deficiency, and systemic hypertension, which commonly affect myocardial function. […]