The club is pleased to provide a feline HCM screening clinic in conjunction with this show, providing on-site HCM exams by veterinary cardiologist Dr. Jerry Woodfield.

The clinic will be held at the Ferndale Events Center on Saturday, February 10, 2024.

ABOUT HYPERTROPHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY (HCM) & THIS CLINIC

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common heart disease in cats affecting 1 in 6 cats (University of Cambridge). Although some cats will have a benign course of disease, others develop serious complications (congestive heart failure and/or arterial thromboembolism).

The purpose of this HCM clinic is to screen cats for heart disease to assist breeders in making informed decisions about breeding options. Cats seen at the HCM clinic will have an echocardiogram performed and will be evaluated by Dr. Jerry Woodfield, a Board Certified Veterinary Cardiologist with Northwest Cardiology Consultants.

This HCM Clinic is not intended for cats that are suspected of having a heart condition -- heart murmur, arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), etc. -- which would require a more comprehensive exam.

The diagnosis of HCM requires accurate echocardiographic measurements to determine the ventricular wall thickness, and to determine the left atrial size. Depending on the cat's age, general health, and echo findings, additional testing may be required during a private consult at another time (e.g., blood pressure, thyroid evaluation, chest x-rays, electrocardiogram or genetic testing).

Reservation & Payment Deadlines

• HCM Clinic reservation deadline: 10:00 pm Sunday, February 4, 2024 -- Please register via the Reservation Form provided on this website.
• Late reservations will be accepted only at the HCM Clinic Coordinator's discretion, based on available space.
• Maximum screenings allowed for this clinic: 30 cats.
• Payment (to The Evergreen Cat Fanciers) must be made within 24 hours of submitting the Reservation Form.
• Cost is $235 per cat (if paid by credit card, or by PayPal to treasurer@evergreencatfanciers.org) or, if paid by check or money order, made  payable to The Evergreen Cat Fanciers and mailed to The Evergreen Cat Fanciers c/o Ginger Stackpole, Treasurer, 11915-206th Ave SE, Snohomish, WA 98290).
• A $25 late fee will be charged for any reservation not paid by the deadline of 10 pm Sunday, February 5, 2024.
• Submitting the HCM Clinic Reservation Form constitutes an agreement to pay for all services reserved.
• There are no refunds once the Reservation Form has been received by the HCM Clinic Coordinator.
• Cat substitutions are allowed.

Clinic Hours & SCHEDULING

What to bring tO THE CLINIC

• Your completed exam form (2 copies): Fill out the top portion of the Evaluation for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy form (PDF) for EACH cat you bring to the clinic. Bring two printed copies of each cat's form with you to the clinic.
  • To fill out the exam form, click here to open the form in your browser. Click in each shaded field and type your answer (you can leave the Exam Number field blank). When done, click the Print button in the upper right corner of your browser and print two copies of your pre-filled PDF form.
• Your cat: Your cat should have all its claws clipped (front and back) and be brought to the clinic in its carrier. Please do not "hand carry" your cat to the clinic.

IF YOU ARE AN EXHIBITOR ENTERED IN THIS SHOW

If your cat is entered in this show, it can participate in the clinic without affecting its judging. The clinic coordinator and the rings will do their best to work out any scheduling conflicts. Also, the judges are fully aware of the clinic and will overlook any grooming issues caused by the ultrasound gel (which is not difficult to remove).

As an exhibitor, you are welcome to bring a cat to the clinic that is not competing in the show. You'll need to fill out an "exhibit only" entry form for the cat, since it must be listed in the catalog in order to be in the show hall. Also, when not at the clinic, your clinic-only cat can stay in your benching area; you must ensure that you purchase enough cage space to accommodate all your cats, including any clinic-only cats. (All TICA and club rules apply to clinic-only cats, just as they would to any exhibit-only cat.)

IF YOU ARE NOT entered in THIS SHOW

If you aren't an exhibitor at this show, you can still bring your cat(s) to the HCM clinic. But, please don't bring your cat(s) into the show hall itself. (The clinic will take place nearby and within the same building, but not within the show hall.)

For additional information

For additional information about the HCM Clinic, contact Peggy Smith, our HCM Clinic Coordinator, at clinic@evergreencatfanciers.org.