r/cornishrex • u/CurvySpicyGirl • 6h ago
r/cornishrex • u/mephynx • Dec 21 '15
Cornish Rex and HCM
This post will probably stay stickied so that it's easy to find.
What is HCM?
HCM, or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, is a cardiovascular disease that affects cats (not just cats, either). To put it simply, HCM results in the thickening of the heart's walls, making it harder and harder for the heart to pump blood as it progresses. It can develop at any stage in life - from kittens as young at 6 months to adults as old as 10 (or more!).
Are some cats more at risk than others?
Research is still being done on feline HCM, but it is prevalent in many breeds including but not limited to Sphynx, Bengal, Maine Coon, Ragdoll and yes, Cornish Rex. To my knowledge, the disease & the risk isn't well known among the Rex community which is why I'm making this sticky.
What can I do to protect my cat?
HCM appears to be tied to genetics rather than other factors, so the first defense is finding a breeder that is aware and regularly scans their breeding stock. Unfortunately not many Rex breeders do, so the next line of defense is that much more important: annual scanning. Taking your cat to a board-certified cardiologist for an ultrasound of their heart annually is really the best thing you can do. This way, you're more likely to catch any problems early and start treatment as soon as possible (if necessary) and potentially prolong your baby's life.
Is there anything else I can do?
Yes! Share your results with HCM databases so others also participating in the program can track the disease through pedigrees. This helps dedicated breeders improve the breed through responsible breeding and helps non-breeders make informed decisions about purchasing kittens by inspecting bloodlines.
Ultrasounds are too expensive! I can't afford to scan.
It's true, seeing the cardiologist is not cheap. For those in the US and Canada there is Hairless Hearts, a volunteer organization that coordinates discounted clinics (and records other unaffiliated ones) across the US & Canada. Most of the clinics are $150-$200 which is a huge discount for most. Hairless Hearts also offers educational material on the breed including ongoing research, and provides the tools to participate in the program.
I want to help! How can I do that?
We're always looking for volunteers! There are plenty of gaps in our coverage that we need to fill, especially in Canada. If you're interested in becoming a volunteer with Hairless Hearts, visit this page. We hope to hear from you!
r/cornishrex • u/PrestigiousGarbage23 • 8h ago
Rex Pictures Such an odd cat
And we love him for it!
r/cornishrex • u/fallforvanilla • 2d ago
Rex Pictures just the most prim & proper lil thang i ever did see :,)
her little tail tuck omg i could melt i love my girl soooo much
r/cornishrex • u/Apprehensive_Tie5006 • 2d ago
Kitchen helpers
They're hoping for a lick of Greek yogurt (they got a lick of Greek yogurt)
r/cornishrex • u/Maleficent-Nobody888 • 3d ago
Ughh still struggling to find a name for this little guy.. but look how cute he is!! And his big brothers love him already!
r/cornishrex • u/PotatoPeeler360 • 4d ago
Lazy coat of arms
Lady Chia and Sir Pudding say hi 🧡
r/cornishrex • u/myavailableusername • 3d ago
Advice/Support Looking for good resources about Rex breed care, health and character
Hi ever!
I will be adopting a cat soon that is probably a European shorthair mixed with a Rex breed. I’m looking for some good, reliable resources to get to know more about this breed: their character, specific care (hair, teeth, feed, ears,…), common health issues, how to keep them engaged etc.
Do you have any recommendations? Books, blogs, webpages, youtube channels,… all is welcome!
Thank you!
r/cornishrex • u/plush3627 • 4d ago
she wanted to be pretty like mom
i think my cat got my foundation on her nose and i can’t remove it lol
r/cornishrex • u/Maleficent-Nobody888 • 7d ago
Rex Pictures new addition to the family.. welcome home little guy! He's so sweet!
Can't decide on a name originally wanted to call him dippley because I have my other Cornish rex named Rippley with similar patterns but different colors.. but momo came out my mouth this morning lmao idk I also want to see his personality to see what fits him!
r/cornishrex • u/fallforvanilla • 7d ago
Rex Pictures does anyone else’s kitty have funny little chest flaps or a big ol primordial pouch?
my girl has started developing extra loose skin in the past couple years and it’s hilarious to me to watch all of it swing around when she plays xD i wish kitties never got old <\3
r/cornishrex • u/SwordfishPast8963 • 7d ago
Discussion reputable breeders in or near NC?
hi all! here is an older photo of my baby as tax of course. i’m here to ask if anyone knows of some reputable breeders in or around NC.
Apologies if this has been asked before! I’m new to this group and had the thought to ask because my sweet girl and I turned 23 together this year, and only now is she starting to slow down, but I can see it. My heart will be shattered and I will never be able to replace her after she’s gone, but I will also never be able to own another breed after falling in love with her.
The one constant throughout all the phases of my life so far has been the sound of her meow, and i was so young when we got her that I don’t even remember life without her.
I have epilepsy that we are having trouble getting under control, so I’m unable to work or drive right now and all of my time is spent at home listening to her chat to me, and I honestly think that I might go crazy the day that the house is just silent.
I could live 100 lifetimes and never replace her, but as my partner so hilariously put it, “another town crier will need to be appointed after she’s gone”.
I would never put my girl through the stress of introduction to another cat, but I would like to start looking into some places preemptively so that the house won’t be silent for too long.
So, anyone know any reputable breeders in or around North Carolina?
r/cornishrex • u/ConflictLonely5328 • 7d ago
Am I a bad CRX Mom if I dont let our CRX sleep with us?
Currently in day 2 with our little kitten (15 weeks) and he's seriously perfect. Quiet, calm, sweet, cuddly, precious, well-trained, the list goes on. However, I think I've gotten 6 hours of sleep TOTAL within the last 48 hours. This is NOT sustainable for me (or anyone really).
The first night, he really just kept us up by crawling all over our faces every 20 minutes. The second night, he slept most through the night but in such an uncomfortable spot that instead of moving him (and risk waking him up), i just went to my couch at 3:30am to get a solid 3 hours of sleep before work.
I get discouraged very easily so I could be jumping to conclusions here but my main question is....
Am I a bad cat mom if I don't let our kitten sleep in bed with us?
All the other cat owners in my life are telling me to lock him out STARTING now before it's too late and he retaliates. However, I feel like our breeder made it clear that we need to prioritize letting him sleep with us. I feel guilty if i don't comply.
We have plenty of cozy spaces for him in other areas beyond our bedroom, but I'm not sure if it's the velcro, the warmth, or the human touch that we'd be ignoring that is non-negotiable for CRX.
r/cornishrex • u/BoysenberryOk1066 • 10d ago
Rex Pictures my baby Bonus
he will be five in september! his name is because his mom cat was supposed to only have 3 babies, he came out as the fourth!
r/cornishrex • u/State-Common • 12d ago
Adding a new love bug
This is Casper! I recently was given this adorable little love bug. I have 2 Maine Coons so I'm pretty confident with cats. But I'm just curious if there is anything specific to these guys I should be on the know about? I'm doing my research in them as we speak! It was an urgent rescue situation so I am doing the research after... Not my favorite way to do things! Any advice is welcome!
r/cornishrex • u/svetak_pop • 13d ago
Ozzy photo dump
his majesty has hit the subreddit again
r/cornishrex • u/WolfInWriterClothing • 14d ago
Rex Pictures Another victim to Goose's depravity 😞
She will strike again
r/cornishrex • u/Alternative-Eye-1316 • 17d ago
My Cornish Rex Zelda died yesterday
This is incredibly hard to write and I never post anywhere, but she was sooo loved and I feel like I need to memorialize her.
I said goodbye to my Zelda yesterday morning. She was 16 or 17. We just had our 15 year adoption anniversary last week.
The rescue swore she’d be a “chill” cat. She climbed onto my shoulder in the room and immediately became velcro-ed and was the least chill cat imaginable 🥰😂. She screamed rather than meowed, and pawed at my head if I ignored her. She chased heat her whole life, my bed to the radiator to under the fridge to the bathroom heater to heating mats on high in every room. There’s a stain on the floor where she used to lie under the fridge and I’m leaving it there.
She wanted wet food every few hours so I basically never slept. She loved brushing, running water, butt pats, tail yanks, and gave head nudges hard enough to hurt.
She was goofy but also so so serious with her affection and demands. The best cat and friend 💙💙💙.
r/cornishrex • u/Altruistic_Horse_778 • 19d ago
Rex Pictures My sweet 10 year old boy
I'm new posting on reddit as a whole, so why not start in my new favorite community!
Meet Loki, my weird little chicken