Low-molecular-weight heparins: potential treatment for feline heart disease

Winn funded research

Alwood, A. J., A. B. Downend, et al. (2007). "Anticoagulant effects of low-molecular-weight heparins in healthy cats." J Vet Intern Med 21(3): 378-387.

Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) has potential benefit in cats at risk for thromboembolic disease, such as cats with severe hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). However, LMWH pharmacokinetics has not been characterized in the cat. Cats have rapid absorption and elimination kinetics with LMWH therapy. On the basis of pharmacokinetic modeling, cats will require higher dosages and more frequent administration of LMWH to achieve human therapeutic anti-factor Xa activity of 0.5-1 U/mL.

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For more information:
Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Ricky Fund for HCM Research
Feline HCM Resources

Winn Feline Foundation Library

A Genetic Mutation Causing Heart Disease in Ragdoll Cats

Winn funded research

Meurs, K. M., M. M. Norgard, et al. (2007). "A substitution mutation in the myosin binding protein C gene in ragdoll hypertrophic cardiomyopathy." Genomics 90(2): 261-4.

Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a primary myocardial disease with a prevalence of 1 in 500 in human beings. Heritable HCM also exists in a large-animal model, the cat, and we have previously reported a mutation in the MYBPC3 gene in the Maine coon breed. We now report a separate mutation in the MYBPC3 gene in ragdoll cats with HCM.

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For more information:
Veterinary Cardiac Genetics lab at Washington State University
Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Ricky Fund for HCM Research

Winn Feline Foundation Library: Special Collection - HCM