6yr old cat with heart abnormality

[ethelina]

The vet has just picked up a large heart murmur and slow heartbeat in my lovely snowshoe burmese pussycat. He advised he will probably end up needing a pacemaker and treatment with medication.
Has anyone had a pacemaker fitted to a cat? Is it a major procedure? Is it worth putting him through it if he has no outward symptoms right now?

Is your vet a cardiac specialist, or has he suggested your cat sees a specialist? I would suggest that this is what you should be doing to get a better idea of the underlying reasons for these changes and what the longer term holds with or without treatment, and what treatment(s) is appropriate too.

Yes he wants to send him for an ultrasound with a specialist sonographer first to get a proper diagnosis. I suppose we'll know more after this. I just don't want to put him under any more stress and strain than necessary. At the moment he seems fit and healthy so it was a bit of a surprise, he only went in for his yearly vaccination.

Quite understandable you don't want him stressed but I think you are doing the right thing to get it checked out. At least once they know what the problem is they can give you a better idea of the future then. Good luck.