Fattycat's heart murmur, talk me down!

[Toddlerteaplease]

Took Fatty and Snorg in for a dental this morning and saw on the vets notes that Fattycat’s heart murmur was graded as a 4/5. When I’ve asked about the grade before the Vets were very vague about it and therefore I decided that as she was asymptomatic, not to have it investigated further. (Surgeon who did her jaw said there was no need). So I’m freaking out about it a bit. They are going to do an X ray and see if her heart is enlarged or any fluid in her lungs.
She gets absolutely terrified when at the vets. Would that make it seem worse than it is?
Photo for her fans.

I don't have any advice but I wanted to send positive thoughts and purrs from Harry and I to the lovely Fatty and Snorg, and of course to you

Being stressed would make her tachycardic and put her blood pressure up - so it could be a bit louder but I'm sure the vet must be used to that when they grade it.
If she has no symptoms, and the x ray is unremarkable then she has no signs, and it's not causing her any hidden harm. So hopefully there's nothing much to see - I think you'd have noticed if she was in heart failure.
Nose rubs to your beautiful lady

The Snowshoe had a heart murmur picked up at a routine check. The vet got us all panicked when she started talking about very unusual heart sounds and potentially serious outcomes. After much soul-searching we consented to investigations under anaesthetic. Unfortunately the little shit darling didn't. He went batshit in the room and drew blood from everyone who attempted to sedate him . I eventually I got a call from them to say they had given up and could we come and take him away please.

7+ years later aged 14 he's still going strong, under no treatment and the murmur has mysteriously disappeared back where it came from. Perhaps he knew something we all didn't.

Anyway, I think you have to just see what the investigations bring. He may be fine to live with it.

Obligatory gratuitous pussycat picture

Our boy has a heart murmur, he got it soon after he was neutered. We have to pill him with HyperCard three times a day.

He was diagnosed three years ago. Apart from needing to be pilled he is absolutely fine. You can't tell he's poorly, he goes around mercilessly taunting next doors dog and stealing peoples sandwiches.

Thanks. I thinkifbthe X ray is normal I’ll not go any further with it as she is fine in herself. I’m very overprotective of them so would notice very quickly if something is not right. I wouldn’t have worried about it today had I not see it written down. Poor thing was even more terrified than usual at the vets this morning and had weed in her box. Something she’s never ever done.

Rat. What a gorgeous cat!

Apparently her heart looks slightly enlarged on x ray and the vet thinks there might be a little bit of fluid build up. She’s going to discuss it with a cardiologist and see what she thinks. Got to count her respiratory rate when she’s asleep for five days.

for you and 🐟 for Fattycat. My dear old girl lived to 18 with a heart murmur. She had a long and happy life and we didn't even notice it until the very end.

I think as you've had reassurance previously, I wouldn't worry too much at this stage. See what the cardiologist says, but if she has no symptoms I would think it's more something to keep an eye on? Is she the one that had the nose surgery?

No she’s the other one. The one who had a fairly major operation on her jaw in April and several lots of sedation with no problems. Both of them still very restless after their anaesthetic. Eaten loads but won’t sleep!

Vet is quite concerned by Maia’s X ray and thinks it’s important that we do a scan with a cardiologist. She also wants to start her on some diuretics. Hopefully the insurance will cover it!

Bugger.

Are the meds cheaper if you buy a private prescription?.

Luckily cats don't lead stressful lives.

I'm not medically trained but I would have thought it would go up astronomically whilst stressed. Last time I went to hospital the doctor exclaimed at my blood pressure and tested it 3 times, without forewarning, I muttered 'white coat syndrome' eventually and frantically scrabbled at that arm thing to tear it off.

Beautiful cats.

She’s having a scan at 1600 on Thursday. Her sleeping respiratory rate is not much different to her sisters. The vet wants to start her on diuretics, but I don’t want to do anything until she’s been scanned. She’s fine in her self and I just need to hang on to that.

Absolutely - but it's so natural to be concerned, you are very attached to them and they to you. I hope it's mild and you can get away with no or minimal treatment.

I’m really hoping that the murmur is made worse by stress and the fluid is infection as they’ve both had a bit of a viral infection. But I think Its probably false hope. She’s been seen by heaps of vets this year and mine have expressed concern and she had a health check only two weeks ago.

*none

Harry and I will be keeping everything crossed for the gorgeous girl.

My friend was told her cat had a heart murmur by the RSPCA but when she saw her own vet there was no sign. I do think in his case it was caused by stress due to the circumstances in which he was found. If Maia is tha scared of the vets then then I’m not surprised she’s stressed.

I do think it is likely to be stress related. As no o e has ever been overly concerned before about it so it may have varied. She completely shuts down at the vets because she’s so scared.

Sorry to hear the vet thinks it warrants further investigation but good they’re taking a cautionary approach.

We had a cat with a heart murmur who we lost aged 13 to something completely unrelated, and also a cat who was diagnosed with HCM and congestive heart failure approx. 2 1/2 years ago who is still here, happy and stable.

Did she have any symptoms before it was diagnosed?

The vet phoned and said the scan is not till next Thursday, and I’ll have to pay an extra £185 just to stay with her. . My nerves are in shreds so I’ve got an appointment with a cardiologist on Friday. It costs a bit more but they pay the insurers direct. Just need the vet to refer her now.

Get a grip mum. I’m fine!

She’s beautiful. Pictures of Fatty and Snorg always make me smile, they are such lovely cats.

Harry and I are still keeping everything crossed for her and sending you positive thoughts