What happens when a cat has a heart murmur?

Asked By: Reyna Jacobo

Date created: Sat, Oct 1, 2022 18:49 PM

Date updated: Mon, May 20, 2024 5:41 AM

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Video answer: Great News for Cats with Heart Murmurs!

Best answer to the question «What happens when a cat has a heart murmur?»

Answered by Blanch Hasan on Sun, Oct 2, 2022 1:10 AM

If your vet detects a heart murmur in your older kitty, it's possible she'll recommend further testing for hyperthyroidism as well as heart disease. Heart murmurs can result from underlying diseases such as these, which eventually leads to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or thickening of the heart muscle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Those who are looking for an answer to the question «What happens when a cat has a heart murmur?» often ask the following questions:

😻 What are the symptoms of heart disease in cats?

Vomiting
Weight loss
Breathing difficulty
Increased respiratory effort (shortness of breath)
Increased respiratory rate
Increased heart rate
Blue-colored pads of the feet and nail beds
Difficulty walking on hind legs (due to blood clots)
Pain when walking
Inability to tolerate exercise

😻 What does a heart murmur mean for Your Cat?

A heart murmur is a clinical sign that can be present at birth ( congenital) or may develop ( acquired ). Murmurs may be noticed during a routine physical exam in a cat that has no signs or symptoms of disease. If your cat has a heart murmur, your vet will discuss additional testing based on your cat’s physical exam findings, health status ...

😻 Can you still neuter a cat with a heart murmur?

My dog/cat has a heart murmur; can I still get him fixed? It depends on the severity of the heart murmur. We strongly recommend that you take your pet to your regular veterinarian to be evaluated before scheduling his/her spay/neuter.

Video answer: Heart Murmurs in Cats | Wag!

We've handpicked 25 related questions for you, similar to «What happens when a cat has a heart murmur?» so you can surely find the answer!

How serious is heart murmur in cats?

Therefore, an innocent heart murmur in kittens is not dangerous. Another type of safe murmur, the ‘physiological’ murmur, develops in adult cats. It is due to pregnancy or stress and disappears when stress or pregnancy ends. Therefore, physiological murmur in adult cats is also not considered dangerous as it has no impact on cat’s health.

How can you tell if a cat has a heart murmur?

A heart murmur is nearly always diagnosed by a veterinarian listening to your cat’s heart with a stethoscope, often during a routine health check. Occasionally , if the murmur is very loud, a diagnosis can be made simply by feeling a buzz when a hand is placed on the cat’s chest (this is known as a “pre-cordial thrill”.

What should I do if my cat has a heart murmur?

If your cat has a heart murmur, your vet will discuss additional testing based on your cat’s physical exam findings, health status, history of illness, age, and risk. Veterinarians often begin with x-rays of your cat’s chest to evaluate their heart and lungs.

How can I tell if my cat has a heart murmur?

An ECG can determine the feline’s electrical activity and heart rhythm. Auscultation is the listening of heart sounds through the use of a stethoscope. This examination tool can help the veterinarian detect a heart murmur and arrhythmias (irregular heart beat).

Video answer: Kitten w/ Grade IV (grade five) Heart Murmur

Can you still neuter a cat with a heart murmur?

Is it normal for a cat to have a heart murmur?

That’s because, while dogs almost always have a loud heart murmur (i.e., one we can hear with our stethoscope) indicative of heart disease, cats often don’t have a heart murmur present. In fact, it’s estimated that 50% of cats with heart disease have no auscultable heart murmur.

What does a heart murmur mean for Your Cat?

What is the significance of a heart murmur?

The significance of a heart murmur depends on the cause of the murmur, and your veterinarian will analyse the murmur to work that out. Heart murmurs are classified in three ways: loudness, location, and nature. Heart murmurs are graded on how easily they can be heard, on a scale of one to six, from quietest to loudest.

What are the symptoms of a heart murmur in a cat?

The most common symptoms that are observed with a cat that has a clinically significant heart murmur are poor appetite, weight loss (or stunted growth in a kitten), breathing problems, pale gums, lethargy or weakness.

How much does it cost to fix a heart murmur in cats?

Heart murmur in cats brought on by congenital diseases often requires surgery. The type of surgical procedure will depend on the exact nature of the disease. Cat heart murmur medication costs between £200 and £500; more if there is more complication. On the other hand, heart murmur in cats and surgery expenses go anywhere from £800 to £1,500.

Video answer: Heart murmurs in cats

How to tell if your cat has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) in Cats. A heart murmur or arrhythmia may be heard on an annual physical exam by your veterinarian and can be the first clinical sign. For this reason, any cat with a heart murmur or arrhythmia should ideally be worked up to rule out underlying heart disease (see “Diagnosis” below).

How do you know if your cat has HCM?

Many cats with HCM are asymptomatic meaning they have no clinical signs. The disease may be discovered when listening to the heart and abnormalities such as a heart murmur, arrhythmias and/or extra heart sounds (gallop rhythm) are heard.

How do I know if my Ragdoll has a heart murmur?

Regular screening. Other symptoms for heart issues you can watch for during veterinary visits include a heart murmur, abnormal lung sounds or irregular heartbeat. Ask your veterinarian to screen for these issues once a year in order to know if your Ragdoll needs further attention.

Can a heart murmur in a cat be cured?

A heart murmur in cats does not necessarily need treatment at all. The important fact to remember is that the cause of the murmur must be identified accurately. Innocent murmurs need no treatment whatsoever, as they are harmless.

When to evaluate heart murmurs?

Structural heart disease is more likely when the murmur is holosystolic, diastolic, grade 3 or higher, or associated with a systolic click; when it increases in intensity with standing; or when it has a harsh quality. Chest radiography and electrocardiography rarely assist in the diagnosis of heart murmurs in children.

Can a cat with a heart murmur have hyperthyroidism?

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. If your cat has a heart murmur and your vet suspects hypertrophic cardiomyopathy because of hyperthyroidism, consider yourself lucky. That's because your cat was diagnosed. Unfortunately, for many cat owners the first sign of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is finding their pet dead.

What are the symptoms of heart murmur and kidney failure in cats?

Heart Murmurs & Kidney Failure in Cats 1 Anemia. Anytime your kitty suffers from anemia, she may develop a heart murmur. 2 Blood Pressure. Blood pressure isn't only a human worry, it's a feline concern too. 3 Teeth. When tartar is allowed to build up on your kitty's teeth,... 4 Symptoms. There isn't a whole lot of symptoms with heart murmurs.

How do I know if my cat has a heart murmur?

Bringing Your Cat to the Vet Bring your cat to the vet for a physical exam. Expect the vet to assess your cat's breathing. Check for abnormal breathing. Inform the vet about any history of heart murmur. Allow the vet to listen for heart murmurs. Ask the vet about the cat's heart rate. Ask the vet about the cat's heart rhythm.

What does it mean when a cat has an irregular heartbeat?

When the vet listens to the heart, as well as the rapid rate, they may hear a heart murmur, an irregular heart beat, caused by the effect of excessive thyroid hormones on the heart and on the nervous system. In around 20% of cases, affected cats also have high blood pressure. The breathing rate may also be faster than normal, at over 30 per minute.

Why does my kitten have a heart murmur?

While it is rare in cats, heart murmurs may be a sign of heartworm. Some kittens born with a heart murmur may have it as a congenital disease. Systemic illnesses may also cause heart murmurs as well as a thyroid disease or simply high blood pressure.

How can you tell if a kitten has an atrial septal defect?

An atrial septal defect may be found during the first routine examination of a kitten. While listening to the heart with a stethoscope, the veterinarian may notice a murmur or whooshing sound. This does not always confirm that a heart defect exists, however, the louder the murmur, the more likely it is that a defect is present.

Can congenital heart defects in cats be treated?

The treatment of congenital heart defects in cats depends on the cause of the condition. Mild symptoms may require no treatment at all. Kittens may have a mild heart murmur that is known as an innocent murmur in the veterinary world.

What are the symptoms of a cat with a fast heart rate?

Additional symptoms a cat may display with a rapid heart rate may include: Heart murmur. Weak pulse. Tachycardia (rapid heart rate) Sudden death. Exercise intolerance. Overall weakness. Syncope (fainting)

Can a cat with FIP have a heart murmur?

In the case of a pericardial effusion, the cat with FIP may develop an acute heart murmur. Also, an increased heart rate or a clear watery nasal discharge may occur. Wet FIP is the simplest of all forms to diagnose, although still far from perfect. The cat with FIP's health history gets considered. This includes cats from: Shelters.

Why does my cat have a heart murmur?

Heart murmurs can also be caused by diseases that start in adult cats, such as heart muscle disease (e.g. hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or HCM). Conditions Separate To The Heart

Video answer: Video tip of the day - heart murmurs