As pet parents, we never know exactly how long we’ll be blessed with our fur children, and honestly, it’s never long enough. Even the healthiest dogs and cats can one day get an unexpected diagnosis that changes everything.
This is what recently happened to Sphynx cat, Marshall, when a vet visit revealed the unthinkable: a terminal heart condition. As devastating as the news was, Mom and Marshall are sharing their journey in hopes of reminding us all to never take moments with our pets for granted.
Close-up side view of a Sphynx cat.Image via Unsplash
Whether you can relate or not, Marshall’s story—and that of his predecessor who died from the same condition—will have you rooting through the tears.
As Mom @lindseykuzmin shared in the post, she hesitated speaking about Marshall’s HCM diagnosis, which is how her previous cat, Roswell, passed. The tear-filled clip details taking Marshall to the vet for what she thought was a simple ear infection. There, the vet found a heart murmur, leading Mom to get the Sphynx into the kitty cardiologist the next day.
Unfortunately, an ultrasound found Mom’s “worst nightmare” coming true: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy—the same disease that took Roswell two years ago. You can imagine the guttural heartbreak just thinking about losing “perfect, rambunctious,” and healthy 1-year-old “angel boy” Marshall the same way.
Related: Sphynx Cat’s Extreme Close-up Looks Exactly Like E.T.
Here’s a look at Mom and Marshall’s precious love story, which is sure to put a smile on your face.
About Marshall’s Diagnosis
HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) is a genetic heart disease causing the heart’s walls to thicken, which leads to reduced function, heart failure, and sudden death. Though any cat can be diagnosed, Sphynx cats are predisposed to the condition, and it can develop earlier in their breed than in others. The incurable disease can be managed with medication, which is what Mom’s doing for Marshall, who she said is already showing signs of improvement.
All of this, she said, has taught her to “slow down, stop chasing every next thing, go on the vacation, buy the van, and stay a little longer for the sunset. Because living in fear of the end means missing out on the middle.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself. Here’s to Marshall defying the odds and enjoying many more years on this planet with his biggest cheerleader (Mom), and may we all remember to soak up every last moment with our pets, too.
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This story was originally reported by Parade Pets on Nov 14, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.