This article was co-authored by Lauren Baker, DVM, PhD. Dr. Lauren Baker is a Veterinarian and Assistant Scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With over 10 years in veterinary medicine, she specializes in the concept of “one health,” which uses insights from veterinary medicine to help human medical research. She holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Biomedical Sciences, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, an MS in Comparative Biomedical Sciences, and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Heart murmurs can be related to a number of health issues, but you can work with your cat’s vet to identify and treat the cause. Nearly all murmurs are detected at routine visits, so bring your cat to the vet at least once a year. If the vet detects a murmur, they’ll likely order further testing to make an accurate diagnosis. Depending on their findings, they’ll help you develop an appropriate treatment plan. Many murmurs don’t impact overall health, so the vet might simply advise you to look out for symptoms like difficulty breathing and lethargy.
Steps
Diagnosing Heart Murmurs
Bring your cat to the vet at least once a year. Routine vet visits are the best way to identify heart murmurs, as nearly all are detected at annual checkups or vaccination appointments. During a routine exam, the vet listens to a pet’s heart with a stethoscope. If they detect a murmur, they’ll let you know how significant it is and if it requires further testing.[1]- Taking your cat to see the vet on a regular basis will help your vet to identify the cause of the murmur and track its progression over time.
- Heart murmurs in kittens often go away on their own. The vet will likely suggest a follow up visit after a few weeks.[2]
Discuss your cat’s medications and any related symptoms. If the vet detects a murmur, they’ll ask several questions about your cat’s overall health. Tell them if your cat takes any medications and if you’ve observed symptoms such as:[3]- Poor appetite
- Weight loss
- Lethargy or weakness
- Difficulty breathing
- Pale gums
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Ask the vet if they recommend further tests. Not all heart murmurs are the same, and the vet will grade the murmur’s intensity on a scale of one to six. The vet will base their diagnosis on this grade, as well as the murmurs' duration, when they occur in the heart cycle, and the cat’s age. They'll either recommend imaging tests or let you know that the murmur is innocent, which is the term given to murmurs that don’t impact overall health.[4]- Imaging tests, like an x-ray or echocardiogram, will help the vet detect signs of heart disease or deformity.
- Depending on test results, the vet might refer you to a veterinary cardiologist, or heart specialist.
Get your cat tested for underlying conditions. Heart murmurs can also indicate conditions like anemia and hyperthyroidism. The vet will likely recommend tests for these and other issues.- An underlying medical issue, like hyperthyroidism, can often be treated with a good outlook and without complications. Treating hyperthyroidism usually resolves the related heart issue.
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Treating Heart Diseases and Disorders
Give your cat medication for high blood pressure. High blood pressure, or hypertension, sometimes accompanies heart murmurs in adult cats. The vet will recommend a daily medication and suggest frequent checkups.- Make sure to follow your veterinarian's recommendations very carefully.
- If your cat is overweight, you should also ask the vet if they recommend any dietary changes, like switching from free feeding to scheduled meal times.
Discuss cardiomyopathy treatments with the vet. Cardiomyopathy isn’t one specific condition, but is the name for any disease that affects the heart itself. An echocardiogram will help the vet identify a specific form of heart disease. After making an accurate diagnosis, they will recommend an appropriate medication, like a beta-blocker or a calcium-channel blocker.[5]
Seek immediate veterinary care if you observe signs of heart failure. If your cat struggles to breathe or can’t move its hind legs, take it to the vet or emergency clinic immediately. Advanced cardiomyopathy can result in heart failure, so you should monitor your cat if it’s diagnosed with heart disease.- Other symptoms can include cold ears and paws, and pale or bluish gums and eyes.
Ask if a congenital disorder can be surgically corrected. If the vet finds a heart defect, ask them about its type and severity. Many minor congenital heart defects are tolerable and won’t make a major impact on a cat’s overall health. Larger deformities might require surgical treatment.- Unfortunately, some defects are too severe for treatment.
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Treating Secondary Conditions
Diagnose and treat feline anemia. The vet will have to order further blood work if your cat tests positive for anemia, or too few red blood cells. Anemia can be related to issues including feline leukemia virus, cancers, and blood parasites.- Unlike anemia in humans, feline anemia is rarely due to a dietary deficiency. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause. Options include transfusion, deworming medication, and corticosteroids.[6]
Discuss hyperthyroidism treatments with the vet. Hyperthyroidism can either cause an enlarged heart, leading to a murmur, or can result from heart disease. Treatment options include:[7]- Medications to manage the hormonal imbalance
- Surgically removing the thyroid
- Radioactive-iodine therapy, which is highly effective but only available at specially licensed facilities
Monitor your cat if the vet can’t detect any other problems. If the vet can’t detect any problems and your cat is otherwise healthy, they’ll likely recommend monitoring your cat. Bring it to the vet every few months, and keep an eye out for symptoms like lethargy, weight loss, poor appetite, and difficulty breathing.[8]Advertisement
Expert Q&A
References
- ↑ http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1760273415000636
- ↑ https://icatcare.org/advice/cat-health/heart-murmurs-cats
- ↑ https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/heart-murmurs-in-cats
- ↑ https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/heart-murmurs-in-cats
- ↑ https://icatcare.org/advice/cat-health/cardiomyopathy-heart-disease-cats
- ↑ https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/anemia-in-cats
- ↑ https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/hyperthyroidism-cats
- ↑ http://www.vetstreet.com/care/heart-murmurs-in-cats
About this article
To detect and treat heart murmurs in cats, bring your cat to the vet for a routine visit at least once a year since nearly all heart murmurs are identified at these annual checkups. If the vet finds that your cat has a heart condition, follow their recommendations for medication, which may include giving your cat daily medication for high blood pressure. If you notice that your cat is exhibiting signs of heart failure, such as difficulty breathing or an inability to move its hind legs, take it to a vet immediately. For more information from our Veterinary co-author, including how to treat secondary conditions of heart murmurs such as feline anemia, read on!
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