Pectus Excavatum

Question
Dear Norman, I have a 6 month old Siamese mix (first gen half breed) with a diagnosis of pectus excavatum. unfortunately the vet who diagnosed her has left the practice and told me that they couldn't spay her until they found out if she had a hernia or not. now many people have said they had cats with this and were not active or did not tolerate any activity. my Cricket LOVES to play and jumps and flips over backwards. she was doing this before her diagnosis and now I'm scared to let her play but yeah...telling a cat not to play is like telling a sea gull not to poop on you, doesn't work. should I really be worried about her. I've decided she doesn't need to be spayed right now because shes a house cat and her playmate is fixed. but I do worry about her health.  

Answer
Linz,

First of all, I am not a vet.  Second of all, I am pointing you to an excellent reference on Pectus Excavatum and Flat Chested Kitten Syndrome (two separate conditions that often get confused):

http://www.catvet.homestead.com/FCK.html

This is written by a vet who has done studies on the two problems.  This article also has some excellent references.

I would not restrict Cricket in any way.  As long as she is happy and playing, why do anything different.  I do not understand what harm there would be in playing?

Anyway, there is also an excellent e-mail list for feline health issues called fanciershealth.  Send an e-mail to:

 fanciershealth-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

to subscribe.  Dr. Little (who wrote the article above) is one of the vets who monitor that list.  I would ask some of your questions on that list.

In the longer run, you will want to have Cricket spayed as she will make a happier pet and not have to fight those hormones every time she has a season.  I would ask your question about spaying on the fanciers health list.  

Frankly, I do not understand your vet's reluctance to have had her spayed.  Very often cats are spayed and the hernia fixed (if there is a hernia) at the same time.

Seasonal regards... Norm.