Heart Murmur question

[FCritter]

Hi

I rehomed a cat with my sister back in February. They have a really happy relationship. But her vet has seen Calder twice now, and both times thinks she hears a heart murmur. Calder is 4 years old.

She's recommended my sister take Calder to a feline cardiologist.

1) What would a cat cardiologist do in a situation like this? What kind of tests? What might be the cost?

2) If he is, in fact, diagnosed with a murmur, what might be the ongoing care, and the cost of that care?

Thanks!

[special]

Most heart murmurs are not serious. My little Bridge Angel had a level 3 heart murmur for many years, it never troubled her at all, and it never changed. She never saw a veterinary cardiologist for it.

Specialists and testing can be expensive.

I would be asking the vet why she thinks this condition needs a specialist.

However, even though I can't give you any answers, I hope you will let us know what you find out and how things go with Calder.

[TIFFERS]

There are so many things we need to know before we can answer your questions. For instance, what grade is the cat's Heart Murmur. They are graded on a 1-6 scale. Was the kitty put on any medications? If so, what are they?

Specialists are expensive, all of them are, but you do, in most cases, get what you pay for.

[Dirky47]

I don't know how much will be the cost. What matters most here is your pet's life.

[FCritter]

Follow-up: The vet didn't say the cardiologist was "needed," just that it was an option if my sister chose to do so.

No medications were given, and she didn't give a grade, either.

[FCritter]

Originally Posted by Dirky47

I don't know how much will be the cost. What matters most here is your pet's life.

Umm.. my sister is loaded. She can afford to do whatever is necessary, and will. I'm just doing a little research for her to give her an idea of what she could expect in the way of care, cost, follow-up. She's a first-time pet owner and a little information goes a long way toward educating and reassuring someone who has gotten news like this.

[pugpillow]

I have two dogs with heart murmurs and I expect it's the same with cats. Generally no treatment is needed until it reaches Grade 4 or Grade 5, other than limiting hard exercise and stress. When it gets to Grade 4 or 5, water starts to build up on the heart and lungs and they need to be put on a diuretic like Novo-Furosemide. My cost is about $15 Cdn/month for these pills for one 15-lb dog. The pills induce thirst and urination. My vet told me that when it is reaches Grade 5, the deterioration is pretty rapid and the animal usually lasts only a year more. There is a 50% chance the animal will simply pass during sleep (in effect a heart attack) and 50% chance they will start to drown internally and need to be rushed to the vet to be PTS. Unfortunately there is nothing more that can be done.

p.s. I can't imagine why a cardiologist would be needed. Vet generalists can diagnose a hear t murmur just by touch/stethoscope and assign a grade to it. Come to think of it, I'd be interested in finding out what a veterinarian cardiologist does do.

[TIFFERS]

Cardiologists for animals do the exact same thing cardiologists for humans do. Further testing, better results, etc. Sure, a vet can diagnose a murmur...so can a human doctor. But, a cardiologist is far better with hearts than normal vets.

Now, there are so many things you can do for heart murmurs. Diuretics aren't the only treatment options. Your sister needs to call her vet back and ask him/her what grade heart murmur the cat has.

Also, it'd be good to know which side of the heart the murmur is on. It isn't 'water' that builds up in the chest/abdominal cavity. However, depending on the area of the murmur, the fluid will either build up around the chest or the abdomen. The fluid can be drained, prolonging life for a short time. (This is something most regular vets won't do, a cardiologist would be needed in most scenarios.) Fluid build up by no means means certain death. That's simply not correct. We have drained many abdomens of fluid caused by heart failure.

If the grade is 1-2, it's generally not too much worry. Puppies and kittens are sometimes born with murmurs and they go away as the animal ages. Now, 3-4 you would start paying attention more and take them case by case as to who needs meds and who doesn't. But, as I said earlier...diuretics aren't the only treatment options.

[FCritter]

AWESOME responses.

I'm going to pass these on to my sister. I have already suggested she ask her vet if she can give her a grade.

Thank you SO VERY MUCH!

[pugpillow]

I didn't know that about the different areas of the heart. Good to know. Thanks. Sorry I used the term water instead of fluid. That's what I meant.

[TIFFERS]

I wasn't trying to be mean, pugpillow. I was just clarifying for other people who may not know...skimmers and browsers.

Originally Posted by pugpillow

I didn't know that about the different areas of the heart.

I believe if the right side of the heart is failing, the fluid backs up in the abdomen. If the left side of the heart is failing, the fluid backs up around the chest cavity. I may have the right and left wrong. I know that the majority of cats end up with fluid in their chest cavity, as the other type of heart failure is more common in dogs...especially large breed dogs. Dogs can have either type of heart failure.

[Dirky47]

Originally Posted by FCritter

Umm.. my sister is loaded. She can afford to do whatever is necessary, and will. I'm just doing a little research for her to give her an idea of what she could expect in the way of care, cost, follow-up. She's a first-time pet owner and a little information goes a long way toward educating and reassuring someone who has gotten news like this.

Thanks for the clarification. I do not intended to say something to you. I'm just giving an advise.

Reality check!