Heart murmur?

[Tanya]

Hi all.

I took Oli to the vets about one week ago because he just was not himself and a film covered over both of his eyes. He had a high temp too. Vet gave him a jab and tablets. Pooping got so bad (poo seeped from his bottom as he slept, walked, etc), that I took him back to the vets today ...

They say he has a HEART MURMUR. What's wrong with my baby????? The vet said sometimes infection can go to the heart and it could be caused by this. I asked what I can do to make him better and she said NOTHING .... please help me.

Oli is my baby .... he has just turned three and seems to be soooo ill.

Thanks for reading. xx

[dinahsmum]

Sorry Tanya - I know nothing of this condition.
I hope everything will work out - your vet sounds a bit brusque; sorry

[EmmaG]

Doesn't sound right to me, my cat Arthur has a very pronouned heart murmur but is fine, apart from he gets out of breath quicker than a cat normall would.

Personally, I would try another vet

[Elaine]

Oh Tanya, I am so sorry to be reading this, I dont have any knowledge on heart murmers but I know Liz and Farthing do, there may be other members here that have experienced the condition also.
I do know that depending on the grade of the murmer, cats can live a relatively good life.

http://www.cat-health-guide.org/felineheartmurmur.html
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Concer...rmur&id=605990
http://www.cats.org.uk/catcare/leafl...eartmurmur.pdf

From what I have read so far the symptoms your cat has displayed is not symptom of a heart murmer and so it would be important to find out what is causing the trouble with his leaky bottom and the film over his eyes as these must be treated accordingly.

[Mags]

When Cassie went for her Dental a few weeks ago the vet discovered she had a slight heart murmur and told me it was nothing to worry about.

Poor Oli's other symptoms sound like something separate from his heart murmur and the vet should be able to treat that...

I hope you can get it sorted for him soon...

[pinklizzy]

Oh dear, sounds like you need to go back to your vet for a better explanation!
Was there any mention of the grade of heart murmur? They are graded from 1-6, with a grade 1 being the most mild. Has he shown any clinical signs-lethargy, increased respiratory effort, pale gums etc? It is possible for cats to exhibit a 'physiological' murmur, when the cat is stressed, the heart rate is elevated, producing a heart murmur. When the cat is in a more relaxed state, it is undetectable.
In most cases where a heart murmur is picked up without any other clinical signs, the vet would recommend a revisit in 3 months or so.
If a mild murmur is picked up, it may not need any treatment or impinge on the cat's day to day activity at all so although it sounds very scary, please try not to worry too much.
Sorry this is a bit rambling, I think what I'm trying to say is contact your vet and tell them you want to talk about their diagnosis. Maybe make a list of things you want to ask beforehand? I've done that before when my dog went to a specialist, and don't let them fob you off without a proper explanation!

[Elaine]

Excellent advice PL and explained very well.

[Tanya]

Thanks pinklizzy ... you have calmed my nerves ... slightly!! I will write a list of questions to ask the vet.

[dandysmom]

If I interpreted your post correctly the third eyelids, fever and runny poo were caused by an infection, and that they would be helped by the jabs and medication. But the murmur is what nothing can be done about. A friends cat had a murmur, a slight one, and lived for many years. I agree completely that Liz's advise is most helpful and hope you will be eased after a talk with the vet. He does indeed sound a bit brusque!
Hope your baby is starting to feel a bit better; do keep us posted how he's doing, Tanya.

[farthing]

Hi, couple of my cats have heart murmurs, as has one of my dogs, and they have no real problems. I think the usual signs of a heart mumur are lethargy, breathlessness and if it is very severe fluid in the lungs. I have never heard of it causing these problems, but I'm not a vet. The illness sounds more like an infection or a virus.
I think I would ask if a blood test would help, it will tell if organ function is OK and it would also indicate if there is an infection- high white blood cell count.
You really need to, as PL says, get a much clearer explanation from your vet, apart from anything else you need to get some idea of how to deal with this and a long term prognosis, if she its saying it can't be treated- i am assuming she means the infection. If it is bacterial, surely he should be on antibiotics at the very least.
Let us know how you get on, but make sure you push and also that they know you are willing to pay for futher investigation (if this is the case), our vets will even give a quote to allow clients make an informed descision.