My research indicates that hypertrophic cardiomyopathy affects around 16% of Sphynx cats and the average age at which they are diagnosed with HCM is two years of age and thirdly, a Sphynx cat so diagnosed is likely to have an average survival time of between 6-9 months. The information supporting what I stated above is presented below together with the sources.
Comment: in a previous article and in perhaps millions of articles on the Internet, a large study concluded that the Sphynx cat had an average lifespan of around 6.68 years. Let’s say under seven years which is shocking. The reports don’t state the reason why the Sphynx lifespan is so short but as you can see in this article I have decided it must be due to HCM but there will be other perhaps lesser reasons. It is HCM though which is, on my assessment, the major killer of purebred cats or to put that another way is the genetically inherited disease which can so dramatically shorten lifespan.
Research has shown that Sphynx cats are more prone to developing Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) compared to other cat breeds. According to a study published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, the prevalence of HCM in Sphynx cats is estimated to be around 16 percent, which is significantly higher than the prevalence of HCM in other cat breeds. 🐱❤️
The average survival time for cats with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), once symptoms of heart failure develop, is 6-9 months. However, individual cases vary significantly: some cats live for many years before showing symptoms, while others sadly die suddenly without warning². Proper treatment and care can extend a cat’s life, but once congestive heart failure sets in, the prognosis becomes less favorable.
Sources: Conversation with Bing, 15/05/2024
(1) HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy) in Cats – PDSA.
(2) Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: HCM in Cats – CatHealth.com.
(3) HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy) in Cats – PDSA.
(4) Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Cats Life Expectancy.
(5) en.wikipedia.org.
Additionally, HCM and MVD (mytral valve displasia) are two relatively common heart diseases in this feline breed. – Source: Prospective echocardiographic and tissue Doppler screening of a large Sphynx cat population: Reference ranges, heart disease prevalence and genetic aspects
Sudden death (representing 24% of all cardiac deaths) was observed only in 3 breeds (DS; Domestic Shorthair – not a breed actually, MC (Maine Coon, and Sphynx). – Source: Comparative Echocardiographic and Clinical Features of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in 5 Breeds of Cats: A Retrospective Analysis of 344 Cases (2001–2011)
The average age of the affected cats was 2 years – Source: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the Sphynx cat: A retrospective evaluation of clinical presentation and heritable etiology
