Renowned pet journalist’s special cat inspired fund to find solution to feline heart disease
Steve Dale is one of the most dedicated champions of cats, cat health and cat behavior you’ll ever encounter. He is one of the co-founders of the CATalyst Council, a member of the board of directors of the Winn Feline Foundation, the American Humane Association, and the Tree House Humane Society, a cat shelter in Chicago. This pet expert, writer, radio and tv personality and cat lover extraordinaire is passionate about cats’ health and happiness.
Steve’s passion for cat health extends into many areas, but one particularly close to his heart, no pun intended, is feline heart disease, specifically, feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or HCM. HCM is the most common form of heart disease in cats. It is also the number one killer of cats between the ages of 1 and 10, and, according to Steve, could well be the number one cause of death in cats overall.
At a recent symposium hosted by the Winn Feline Foundation, a leader in funding cat health research projects, Dr. Leslie Lyons of the University of California at Davis and Dr. John Rush of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University presented the most recent information on this feline disease. I asked Steve to summarize what he learned.
“There’s good news and bad news,” said Steve. The good news is that there is now a genetic test available for Maine Coon and Ragdoll cats, two breeds that are genetically predisposed to HCM. A simple cheek swab can identify whether a cat has the genetic defect. Armed with this knowledge, responsible breeders could potentially be at the forefront of eventually eradicating the disease from these breeds. However, not all cats are Maine Coon or Ragdoll cats. Even though the disease is more prevalent in some breeds, it does affect all cats, and more research is needed to find out why that is the case.
Another piece of good news is a new blood test which can help detect HCM early. The Cardiopet ProBNP test can differentiate between something that looks like heart disease, such as upper respiratory illness or feline heartworm disease, and actual heart disease.
The bad news is that there’s still a long way to go. Even though a recent report issued by Banfield Hospitals on The State of Pet Health states that the incidence of HCM in cats has declined by 14% since 2007, Steve is not sure how significant this number is. The report tracks data received from more than 800 veterinary hospitals across the US, but veterinary visits for cats have declined over the past few years, which may skew the data. Additionally, the report does not take outdoor cats into account.
Drug therapy for HCM, while available, is helpful in providing better quality of life, but it does not cure the disease, and that’s just not good enough for Steve. “I want something that makes these cats better.”
Why is Steve so passionate about finding a cure for HCM? It’s all due to a little Devon Rex named Ricky. Ricky was one of these special cats that leave huge paw prints on the hearts of their humans. “We had an amazing bond,” said Steve. “When people ask me about which of my pets was the most special pet, they always expect the answer to be something like ‘Lassie’. Well, if I fell in a well like Timmy, I bet Ricky would have rescued me.”
The special bond between Steve and Ricky began from the first day Steve laid eyes on Ricky. It only increased when Steve discovered that Ricky had amazing talents. When Ricky was about 6 months old, Steve’s dog Lucy participated in an animal assisted therapy program. Steve’s wife decided that they should do something else with Lucy to keep her from getting bored, and Steve said “let’s teach her how to play the piano!” He got a kid’s piano, and began clicker training Lucy to play. She did okay, but it was slow going. One day, Ricky walked into the room, took one look at the piano, and started to play. Steve laughed. “Why am I fooling around with this dog!”
From that point on, Steve took Ricky for piano recitals to local pet stores. Ricky was featured on several national television programs and on virtually every local Chicago station. “Had YouTube been around back then, Ricky would have gone viral,” said Steve. In addition to being a virtuoso piano player, Ricky could also jump through hoola-hoops and leap across childen or dogs in a “down/stay” position.
When Ricky was one year old, he was diagnosed with HCM after he performed one of his concerts for the staff at his veterinary clinic. When Steve saw the look in the veterinarian’s eyes after she examined Ricky, he knew something was wrong even before she pronounced Ricky’s diagnosis. Ricky he was put on daily heart medication. He took his pills readily, and on days when Steve would forget to give him his pill, Ricky would remind Steve by jumping on his shoulder.
Ricky died suddenly at four years of age. “He was doing his favorite thing in the world when he died,” said Steve. “He was eating.” I could still hear the pain in Steve’s voice when he spoke about Ricky’s passing.
In 2002, the Winn Feline Foundation established The Ricky Fund for HCM Research in Ricky’s memory. The fund has raised more than $100,000 to date. Even though the fund has held up well during this economic downturn, it is close to being depleted, and more funding is desperately needed to continue funding research that will save cats’ lives. Sadly, the reality is that for every dollar spent on cat health research, 10-15 dollars are being spent on dog health research.
Even though Steve will always miss Ricky, knowing that his legacy lives on by funding research to help other cats with this devsastating disease eases Steve’s pain a little. “I would like to see heart disease in cats solved in my lifetime,” said Steve. He thinks this dream is achievable. ”It will take brilliant researchers, a little bit of good luck, and money.”
There are two ways you can help Steve fight HCM. Make a donation to The Ricky Fund (specify in your donation that that’s where you’d like the money to go), and help spread the word about the fund and the need for additional funding and research to make HCM a thing of the past.
Wow, I hope this is for real. So many kittens have been developing heart issues. What a breakthrough.
This is definitely for real, Bernie, but more research, and funding, is needed.
I have a Ragdoll Cat who is just 4 years old..she was diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy at the age of 2 yrs. We were devastated to learn that she could suddenly died at any time. This disease has caused her to lose her appetite. We give her Atenolol for her heart and Cyproheptadine to increase her appetite so that she will eat. I wish they would find a cure.
I’m sorry about your Ragdoll, Gayle. Best wishes to both of you. I, too, wish they would find a cure for this terrible disease.
My Bobo passed from complications of HCM one day after his 18th birthday. Wish that test existed when he was alive…so glad that other kitties might live longer as a result of the new test. We love Steve!
At least your Bobo lived a long life, Caren, although I know that doesn’t make losing him to this awful disease any easier. We never stop missing them, no matter how long they were with us.
Just last week my dear Mr. Emerson died of congestive heart failure at three years of age. He was diagnosed with HCM before he was a year old and was on a lot of meds (incl atenolol, Plavix, and Lasix). I had adopted him as a kitten from a shelter. With all of his orange fluff, especially his beautiful tail, he resembled a Maine Coon. I made a donation to the Ricky Fund in his honor a few days ago. I miss him so much.
I’m so sorry about your Mr. Emerson, Nancy. Thank you for making a donation to the Ricky Fund in his honor.
oh what a loss for Ricky’s dad Steve. We know he must miss him terribly. And so wonderful that Winn set up a fund in Ricky’s name.
My heart-Devon died of the same thing at the age of 7. I’m so glad there’s an effort being made to find its cause.
I’m sorry about your Devon, Lindsay.
I always think of Steve and Ricky when I remember Namir, and so glad he made it to 15 though he had HCM. I hope the Ricky Fund can help find a test, treatment and cure for this so others don’t have the loss from this common illness.
My 14yo Russian Blue rescue was diagnosed 9mos ago with DCM. I know this is a rare form of heart disease in cats but I am hopeful any heart disease research will lead us to knowing more about DCM one day too. Until then, I pray my baby continues doing well on her meds. I am thankful for this time I was given. So many lose their babies with no warning, as so many cases are undetected. It’s just an awful disease
I’m sorry about your baby’s diagnosis, Laurie. I hope she continues to do well for a long time. My Buckley had RCM, which is also rare. I, too, am hoping that HCM research will also provide solutions for other forms of heart disease.
thank you again Ingrid for this great piece – it is an awful disease Laurie…
we’re trying to make a difference – hopefully, with luck, we will…..
My ragdoll kitty at 9 months old died last week. My husband came home and she was lying there, dead. She had fluids surrounding her and the vets we have talked to all say it was HCM. We have her sister and we are getting a cardiogram Thursday to see if she is OK. Coco showed no symptoms, ate that morning and played with Lulu and didn’t have any trouble breathing. The breeder says her parents were tested and they were negative. Doesn’t give the test much validity if she really tested them and they were negative. She said it was the first kitty she had that died and she was crying when we talked (the night it happened). The first weekend I just wanted to die also. But Lulu needs me. Very heartbreaking disease.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Lisa. I hope Lulu is okay.
I am so sorry for your loss. Glad to hear Lulu will be tested. Just know if she has HCM, with the right medications she can have a very full long life. HCM is a horrible disease and so many die never showing any symptoms. I would ask the breeder for copies of those tests done on the parents. Hate to say it but not all breeders do the right thing. It is important they trace it and do something about it before bringing more kitties into this world with HCM. Please do post back about Lulu… I will say a prayer.
Thank you, I appreciate the prayers and thoughtfulness of people. My friends and family cannot believe this happened. I had never had cats before and decided to get two, sisters, to celebrate 3 very hard years for me. I was 41 and had unexpected heart leakage and a valve replaced. Open heart surgery was actually much easier than I had expected! So much. One month later I had a major, major stroke. I had a 90% chance of dying for the first three days. Doctors didn’t know then whether I would ever speak again or move my right side. That began 3 years of therapy, doctors appt’s, non stop working to be able to speak again and to move my right side. It was long, harder than I can ever explain, excruciating work. For the first 2 years I wanted to end my life but couldn’t because of my wonderful hubbie and my mom, who drove me to every appt I had. I had tons of friends and coworkers supporting me. I am finally doing much better than all my doctors thought I would. So to start out my new life I got two beautiful kitties. They were such joy and so loving. Now this. No one can believe it. It seems so. . .unfair. Thank you for your warm wishes. I will update you.
I wanted to put a picture of my kittens, the left one is Coco and the right one is Lulu. So adorable! So sad.
http://mail.aol.com/37001-111/aol-6/en-us/mail/get-attachment.aspx?uid=27263160&folder=OldMail&partId=1&saveAs=photo.JPG
Lisa, I’m so sorry to hear about everything you went through. And now Coco. It’s just devastating.
I can’t open the link you posted. Feel free to post the photo on our Facebook page!
Sorry, I tried but can’t figure out how to post a picture on facebook. I have a f/b account and they are my profile picture. Not sure how to link you to it though.
Lisa, just go to http://www.facebook.com/consciouscat and post the photo there.
OK, on facebook. Lulu and Coco are sweet sweet.
Lulu checked out great! A huge relief. We sure miss Coco though.
So happy to hear Lulu is well!
Oh thank goodness! What a relief. Thank you for letting us know.
Why doesn’t anyone research herbs & other “natural” remedies? My kitty Sparky was diagnosed with HCM a few weeks ago. He’s lost a lot of weight & doesn’t want to eat.The cardio.doctor said it’s probably from the Lasix. Lasix can also destroy his kidneys.
The echocardiogram indicates he might form blood clots. I read that Lumbrokinase is natural, no side effects, & can help with blood clots. Has anyone used this on their cat?
Maybe it’s time to look at alternative ways to help our pets not just with medicines that have terrible side effects?
I’m sorry about Sparky’s diagnosis, Nancy. I’ve not heard of Lumbrokinase, but would also be interested to hear from anyone who has had experience with it. I, too, wish there was more of a focus on research into natural remedies, but unfortunately, the issue with all research is funding. There’s ver little funding for research into conventional treatment for cats, and even less, if any, for more natural therapies.