Heart Murmur

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Hi, a family member is looking to adopt a 6 year old cat from a local RSPCA charity. When she visited she was advised that the cat had a grade 2 heart murmur. She was a very placid quiet cat indoor cat which would suit them perfectly. They are a little concerned about the murmur and if they would be able to insure her. The vets have checked her out and everything else seems absolutely fine but this has concerned them. Does anyone have any experience or advice. Thanks

I would ask if the RSPCA will have her scanned to rule out heart disease. It may well be an innocent murmur, but it may not be. To be honest, I'd just not take it to the vet until well after the insurance has kicked in!

One of mine had a murmur discovered after I adopted her. The rescue hadn't mentioned it. She later went on to develop heart disease. It was easily managed on medication but it was very expensive. Insurance covered it with no quibble.

She seemed very lethargic which is what raised concerned. If that her personality it would suit them really well but they are concerned there is more to it. Do you mean not put it down as a pre-existing condition?

Or are you aware of a insurance company who would cover the condition? Thanks

I would not put it down as a pre existing condition. My cat was found to have one after I adopted her. Tesco covered her.

I would push them to scan her though.

Great thank you for your advice I will pass it on

I would not put it down as a pre existing condition
Sorry - that would be insurance fraud.
My latest 'kittens' were diagnosed with heart murmurs before I picked them up from Battersea. This makes them uninsurable for heart disease for life (despite there being no trace of murmurs now). When I spoke to the Battersea vet he was clearly very relieved that we don't bother with insurance - they were clearly expecting me to turn the cats down.

You can't lie when getting insurance, they can and will find out and it's fraud as a pp says. Bought by Many seems to have some policies that cover pre-existing conditions but they do have some exclusions, so really the adopters should be financially comfortable to cover any treatment that may be required in the future (heart scans for example are several hundred).

Grade 2 is usually not that serious (it's out of 6 grades in total) but they should of course ask what vet checks have been done. Being lethargic is not normal but it depends what they considered lethargy?

Each visit to the cardiologist for Fatty was around £600 her medication was about £60 a month. She was on 5 different drugs by the end. Be very sure you can afford it if you can't get covered.

As they are on Pension credits it looks like they would be able to register her with the PDSA. Bills running into high £100's would be very difficult so maybe this is not the cat for them. Sounds like they need to ask a few more questions before committing. Thanks for your advice everyone

RSPCA generally don’t scan uncomplicated murmurs under a grade 4. If your relative qualifies for PDSA care or another charity then care might be more affordable for them. Or they could negotiate with the RSPCA branch that they would cover any future treatment for heart disease (that would probably have to be with their specified vets though).

Thank you. I will pass this on to them