Cat with a heart murmur

[Sword]

I took a few of my cats to the vet for a checkup earlier, and found out one has a heart murmur. The vet said it was very quiet, and she'll probably be fine and to just keep an eye on her breathing. Cannibal is about two, spayed and slightly retarded. She was dumped in my yard with the rest of her litter when she was a tiny kitten. Does anyone here have a cat with a heart murmur? Should I seek more veterinary help, or should she be okay? Here's a pic of her

 

[EmtheFishLady]

My dog has a heart murmur. Unlike your cat, his is VERY prominent and VERY bad. If it's not bad, I'd leave it alone. They gave Socrates less than a year as a 6 week old puppy, and he's now 5. He is slowing down though, and may not make it longer, but the surgery they offer to correct it is very expensive, and the animal still cannot over exert itself. It's a quality VS Quantity question. I wouldn't worry about your cat. If your vet said it was fine, she is.

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

The thing to watch for in kitties with heart problems (murmurs or arrhythmias) is if they suddenly throw a clot. If she is suddenly lame in one or more legs, can't use her back legs at all, open mouth breathing, or very painful somewhere, get her seen IMMEDIATELY. It IS life threatening. Also be aware that a clot to heart, lungs, or brain can cause sudden death. Early adulthood is a very common time for these things to happen, but owners often aren't aware that their cat ever had a heart problem at all, until they throw a clot.

Personally, I would get a second opinion, and if it's in your budget, take her to a cardiologist for a heart ultrasound. They can look at the blood flow and tell you how likely it is that she will throw a clot, and if she needs to be on meds. There ARE things you can do for her. Also, any time she goes to the vet, even the vet that found the murmur, TELL them again that she has it, so they don't overload her on fluids, etc.

 

[Sword]

Been talking with someone who deals with humans with heart murmurs a lot, and she thinks Cannibal will be fine. What causes heart murmurs?

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

I have a polydactal cat with a heart murmur. He is almost 7 now and he is doing well. no meds or anything special. Just very spoiled.

 

[turtlebird]

I have an older dog that suddenly developed a 6/6 heart murmur. He is doing great, no meds yet, re-check in a year. It was a little scary at first, but he is going strong. Although it is loud as heck (can hear it across the room) he only has moderate leakage across the mitral valve. Just the way the blood flows, it sounds something like a musical instrument - loud! Yup, watch the breathing and also watch for any 'hacking'....may indicate fluid building up in the lungs.

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

Quote:
Yes, but cats with heart issues are VERY different from other species...just like you wouldn't ask a vet about a problem with your kids, MD's don't do animals...
Underlying cause of heart murmurs is usually unknown. Usually genetics, but a fluid overload can do it too. "Cardiac disease" in many of it's forms can give a heart murmur.

 

[chkn]

I got a young stray kitty girl back around '94, she was pregnant and had a significant heart murmer. The vet talked about that we may need to put her on medications....well, here we are, the cat has had a great life, she is feeling her oats these days at about 18 yoa. No medication. Strongest, spunkiest little farm cat you ever saw. Still has the same big murmer (probably bigger I don't know actually). Her kidneys will probably get her before her heart gives up.