Heart ultrasound for 15 year old cat

[Sparklingbrook]

Took Sparklingcat to the vet today. She has an overactive thyroid which she's on tablets for so she needed a blood test to check dose still ok etc. Been seeing same vet for a few years but they aren't around at the moment so new vet I'd never seen before.

During the once over she got they listened to her heart for ages and said they could detect a slight murmur which could be a sign of
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (never had heart problems before and has no symptoms of heart problems). They have said she needs an ultrasound which costs about £700 (although her insurance might pay if it's not linked to any existing or prediagnosed condition)

The cardiologist works from another vets once a month.

She needs a dental and they wouldn't be keen to do it without the ultrasound in case it's a problem re anaesthetic.

Anyone's cat had this? And if we went ahead and she has HCM what then? I just don't know what to think really.

I think I've come across this (but remember I'm not a vet). I think, where we suspect this, we do heart scans a couple of times a year (obviously at nothing like that cost) and there are tablets that can help if the scan shows it might be a problem. I'm sure you could ask your vet further questions. Maybe email so you are sure to cover all the points you're unsure about.

There are medications that can help with HCM ideally at least two one to prevent clots and one to support heart function.

Thanks @thecatneuterer, when they ring with the blood results I'll make sure I ask a bit further.
I think I was a bit thrown because every check up prior had been about the thyroid, checking her weight etc and this came out of the blue. Especially as once i had googled she isn't showing any symptoms of HCM. But it seems the thyroid issue can make her prone to other things.

I just hate putting her through anything the older she gets if ultimately there's no treatment.

@Lonecatwithkitten

There are medications that can help with HCM ideally at least two one to prevent clots and one to support heart function.

Thanks. IIRC they said medication she's already on for kidneys (Fortekor) helps if it is HCM so a bit confused about that one.

The late Maia had HCM. She had regular heart scans with a specialist cardiologist. She was as good as gold and would lie beautifully for her scans. She was heavily Medicated and lived for another nine months before her kidneys packed up. But she was never unwell with it at all. It costs about £700 a visit. And it's covered by insurance. Magic is also scanned 6 monthly but she's been fine so far. Any questions pleas ask.

Maia was on 8 tablets a day. She took them like super star. Though she was a dozy Persian. Not sure how a real car would take them.

Mine had a murmur but was much younger when diagnosed .she went on a liquid medicine and lived until she was 20. If your cat is otherwise healthy (esp re kidneys ) I'd probably do it.

Sorry just saw re kidneys . Kidney disease is what got mine so I wouldn't worry about the heart myself . She had kidney disease for about 5 years though before she became unwell with it.

@Toddlerteaplease

The late Maia had HCM. She had regular heart scans with a specialist cardiologist. She was as good as gold and would lie beautifully for her scans. She was heavily Medicated and lived for another nine months before her kidneys packed up. But she was never unwell with it at all. It costs about £700 a visit. And it's covered by insurance. Magic is also scanned 6 monthly but she's been fine so far. Any questions pleas ask.

Thank you, and sorry that you lost her. Sparklingcat is very compliant and no trouble with claw trimming/blood tests or anything so I think she'd be fine with the scan. Does it take long? Will she need to be shaved at all?

If you are in the East Midlands/Staffordshire, or some of Cheshire. Sarah Smith cardiology is amazing!

I'm worried about the dental because she obviously needs one but it all seems to hinge on the heart scan.
I am wondering also if the insurance company will try and connect the kidney and heart thing as an excuse not to pay for it as kidnets are pre existing. But we'll pay it if need be if we can establish it's absolutely necessary.
No call from vet today re bloods so maybe tomorrow.

@Toddlerteaplease

If you are in the East Midlands/Staffordshire, or some of Cheshire. Sarah Smith cardiology is amazing!

Thanks, I am a little bit too far away though. Sounds like there's a visiting cardiologist that comes every two weeks to the area.

My old boy had a murmur but it was very low grade when it was diagnosed (aged about 6). I did a scan then so they could really understand the severity but as it was fairly mild, no medication was necessary and it was just kept an eye on at his six monthly check ups. It did develop into cardiomyopathy at around 12 (murmur was more pronounced, so another scan required). He was given two tablets per day which managed to get down him by wrapping in those meaty sticks.

Sadly, he went missing about 3 months after the scan - just left and never came home - so although I'd love to say he was fine for years (and he did seem to be doing fine), it's hard to say.

He was my beloved boy and I still miss him every day so there was never a question as to whether to treat but helped it was non-invasive. His insurance covered both scans but obviously did result in a bit of a hike in premium.

Really hope you get some good news, Sparkling. It might be that, despite her age, it is relatively minor/low grade and just part and parcel of her ageing.

Oh @SanFranBear, I'm so sorry that he went missing, that is heart breaking, I appreciate you sharing his story.
I keep thinking about the vet saying 'it could just be stress because she's at the vets' so I'd quite like another vet to have a listen I think before agreeing to the scan. Bearing in mind this was a completely new vet she'd never seen before.

Her insurance is currently £40pm as it is. Her thyroid and kidneys are no longer covered by it as I was a numpty and didn't get a lifetime policy, so a year for each condition only. We can pay but only really want to if it's absolutely necessary.

Thanks for your kind words, Sparkling... he was a special little cat.

Definitely worth getting a second opinion, particularly from someone who knows her well..

I appreciate all the input, thank you so much. I don't believe there's any rush to all this except she could really do with a dental. She's been outside chasing squirrels about most of the afternoon.

@Sparklingbrook they put store round their paws for the electrodes, and have to shave part of the chest to get to the heart. It takes about 30 minutes. The cardiologist encouraged owners to be there to keep the cat calm.

I only found out that Maia's murmur was a grade 4 because she'd gone for a dental and the vet had left a note on the table. Don't think they'd have mentioned it till I questioned it. And they did the dental anyway. The cardiologist was not impressed!

I personally wouldn’t bother at that age. I’ve got a heart murmur, you can live with it. Why do they want to do it, if she has no other symptoms? Does she really need it or are they thinking we will do it whilst she out for the count £££ and claim it on insurance.

Been through similar with DDog, it is hard knowing what to do for the best.

What happens if she doesn't get the dental -- what harm will come to her without it?

And is that harm manageable by any other actions -
That seems to be the crux of how to make the decision.

My cats hate trips to vet so I would always weigh up their stress from the visit in considering if any treatment or visit is worthwhile.

HCM is really serious and sadly the first you often know of it is when your cat has already died.

I’d have the scan done if you can. My cat was diagnosed in 2015.

What is the treatment, GodspeedJune, how easy is the treatment for the cat, and how much does treatment improve cat's quality of life or extend their lifespan?

Keep in mind this is a 15 yr old cat that already has chronic (albeit manageable) health conditions.

• That's how I'd decide how important getting a diagnosis is.

Well my cat was placed on medication and his heart went from being horribly distorted and swollen to now, 7 years later, almost normal. I was warned at the time he could drop dead at any moment.

HCM is a really nasty condition that usually ends in sudden death, or thrombosis of the hind limbs which is extremely painful. Diagnosis and treatment is crucial.

Hopefully the OPs cat doesn’t have HCM but if they do, then there’s no kindness in turning a blind eye to the condition.

@GodspeedJune yes I totally agree. My cat was asymptomatic when she was diagnosed and the damage to her heart was already past the point of no return. But the medication did help her and it lessened the risk of a sudden fatal blood clot. It gave her 9 more months with me, unfortunately the huge dose of diuretics caused her kidneys to fail. But there was no other choice.

Maia had 4 different drugs. Frusemide, Atenalol, Clopidogeral and something else.