Unraveling the Genetics of Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a life-threatening heart disease in cats, causing the muscular heart wall to thicken, straining heart function. Certain breeds, including Maine coon cats and ragdoll cats, are more prone to developing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and a few breed-specific genetic screening tests are now available for these high-risk breeds. However, for most cats, the genetic cause of this disease remains unknown. Researchers will combine two of the largest feline genetic sequencing projects to better pinpoint the genetic mechanisms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy for the general cat population. The team hopes to use this information to develop novel testing and identify new drug therapy targets to improve care of cats with this devastating heart disease.