Spring 2022 HCM Screening Results!

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“It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.”
— Mahatma Gandhi
 

The TICA Great Lakes region had an HCM clinic at our spring show held May 14-15, 2022 in Franklin Park, Illinois.

Thank you SO MUCH to the Great Lakes Friends of Felines club for having this amazing opportunity available to the responsible breeding community at the cat show.

I would also like to SINCERELY thank Heidi Kellihan, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology) and her veterinary technician, Kim Donahue (cat whisperer extraordinaire) for screening FIVE wiggly Turkish angoras this past weekend. I feel so blessed that you took the time to travel to the show and screen 60 cats in a days time. I am very grateful and thankful for your work and dedication.

Results

All of the following Turkish angoras scanned clear of HCM (via echocardiogram, the gold standard for testing) by a board certified cardiologist.

CH Sirin Icezzy of Chateaumane

Chateaumane Aya Sofya

Chateaumane Nikäo Noah

GCA Chateaumane Rondo Alla Turca

GC Chateaumane Bespoke K50

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), a type of abnormal thickening of the heart, is the most common cause of heart disease in cats. HCM can occur in any breed of cat. It can result in sudden death in cats. HCM may be predisposed, suggesting a possible genetic and heredity component.

Fear-Free Professional Certification!

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I just finished the Fear Free Veterinary Professional Certification Program! I have nothing but positive admiration for this program, its mission and its immense educational value to veterinary teams. I look forward to the day where these methodologies and practices are utilized on a consistent basis and that it becomes an inherent part of veterinary medicine.

Completing the Fear Free Veterinary Certification earned me a total of nine RACE-approved CE hours and the program is also eligible for seven CVPM-qualified CE hours through the VHMA.

Happy Birthday!

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Happy Birthday, Icezzy! Izzy is 3 years old today (11.10.2018) and he is such an amazing Turkish angora. He sleeps with me every night, peacefully, and he is accepting and kind to all the girls (he has not met one he has not liked). Icezzy calmly laid in my lap in a side room at a cat show for his echocardiogram, never wiggled or tried to escape from the veterinarian during his test. He is the perfect cat, truly. I could not have asked for a better boy. I am so very grateful and thankful to have him here with me. My deepest gratitude to Christine Masser of Sirin Turkish Angoras for sharing him with me, I just wholeheartedly love him!

HCM Heart Screening Results

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Due to COVID, it took ~8 month wait to see Dr. Riepe DVM (Cardiology) for echocardiograms. I am thrilled to share that Nikita (2nd), Marilyn (1st screen) and Lydia (1st screening) have all tested clear! Dr. Riepe said all of their hearts look excellent. Speaking to her assistants, there is, again, an 8 month+ wait for my next appointment with the boys.

What is HCM?

“Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common heart disease, affecting up to 15% of all cats. HCM causes thickening (hypertrophy) of the left ventricle in the absence of a known cause, such as high blood pressure or an overactive thyroid. HCM is caused by genetic mutations in Maine coon and Ragdoll cats, and genetic causes may also be present in other cats. In HCM, the heart muscle is predisposed to abnormal relaxation and contraction. These abnormalities can lead to atrial enlargement, congestive heart failure (CHF, fluid in the lungs), fainting, and blood clots.”

Reference Article

Easter blessings!

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easter.jpg

On April 4th, 2021, Chateaumane was blessed with three beautiful, healthy Turkish treasures. We are so happy to share:
Chateaumane Aya Sofya - a black smoke female, I call “Sophia”
Chateaumane Aya Irini - a white female, I call “Irene”
Chateaumane Aya Yorgi - a black boy, I call “George”
I honor and cherish the heritage of these cats and spend much research time to find names that honor and respect their homeland, their birth date and what I feel is inherently fitting to each of them. They really are a gift, sharing life with me for a time. Turkey is a beautiful place filled with so much culture and history. Here are some educational resources in regards to the names chosen.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagia_Sophia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagia_Irene

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._George%27s_Cathedral,_Istanbul

Thank you, as always, for supporting these magnificent creatures and my heartfelt calling to preserve and care for them.

Happy New Year!

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Wow was 2020 something? :) I was blessed with healthy and happy babies, for that I am extremely humbled and grateful. I look forward to 2021 and all of the promise and wonders it will hold. Kaydi x Gizem’s babies are now 10 weeks old and all of them are adorable AND beautiful - but as you know, they always steal my heart and I am partial :) Thank you to everyone interested in this amazing rare cat breed and for supporting my preservation efforts here in the USA. I thank you so much for that.

Mom Kaydi with daughter, Soray

Mom Kaydi with daughter, Soray

The winner is...

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Noah has become the most mischievous one in the household. That record has always been proudly held by Kaydi (Chateaumane Gumus Kadeh). Well move over Queen! Noah has replaced your exalted status as #1 troublemaker. A handsome and cute troublemaker. His favorite pastime at the moment is robbing every piece of human food imaginable. From counters, to tables, to refrigerators….