Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: madpants on November 14, 2009, 10:51:26 AM

Title: Help! Merlin has a heart murmur
Post by: madpants on November 14, 2009, 10:51:26 AM
I've just taken Merlin to the vets for his annual check-up, and she said that he has a heart murmur. She said that it would probably get worse as he gets older (he is 11 years old).

Help!
Title: Re: Help! Merlin has a heart murmur
Post by: clarenmax on November 14, 2009, 10:52:29 AM
Did they say what grade of murmur?

Max was dianognosed with a slight murmur, but we never had to do anything about it, if that makes sense!
Title: Re: Help! Merlin has a heart murmur
Post by: madpants on November 14, 2009, 11:15:04 AM
The vet said it was a grade 2-3, out of a maximum 6   :Crazy:
Title: Re: Help! Merlin has a heart murmur
Post by: Tiggy's Mum on November 14, 2009, 11:37:34 AM
Tiggy's brother Benji had a heart murmur from birth, think his was classed as a grade 2 and it didn't affect him in the slightest. When we asked the vet how it might affect him he said that one day he might be chased down a very long alley by a dog with no escape and his heart would just go. With Merlin being older I'd imagine he leads quite a sedentary lifestyle so hopefully the murmur won't affect him  :hug:
Title: Re: Help! Merlin has a heart murmur
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on November 14, 2009, 11:40:16 AM
the birmans have heart murmours too and are 16 which is old for a birman, so suspect merlin will be fine  :hug:
Title: Re: Help! Merlin has a heart murmur
Post by: Maddiesmum on November 14, 2009, 12:25:05 PM
Both my dog Pepsi and cat Dragan had heart murmurs.  Neither of them needed any treatment for a long time and neither of them were put to sleep as a result of heart problems.  Just keep an eye out, if there is any coughing or heavy breathing go to the vet as there may be a build up of fluid.  Otherwise just get it checked every 6 months or so is my advice.  Try not to worry too much, heart murmurs are very common:) :hug:
Title: Re: Help! Merlin has a heart murmur
Post by: Janeyk on November 14, 2009, 12:43:08 PM
Our Squeaky had a heart murmer all his life it gradually went up to over time to G4 he would have been about 12/13 by then but he never had treatment for it, I'm sure Merlin will be fine but your vet will just monitor it   :hug:

this is another thread I've just found where we were discussing this topic with lots of input from members: http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/index.php/topic,25107.0.html

 
 
 
Title: Re: Help! Merlin has a heart murmur
Post by: Rosella moggy on November 14, 2009, 12:47:33 PM
Our Thomas had a heart murmur too.  He passed away in Sept 2008 aged almost 19 and never needed any treatment for his heart. 
Title: Re: Help! Merlin has a heart murmur
Post by: bunglycat on November 14, 2009, 16:11:14 PM
One vet  i saw ( a locum ) said Winston has a murmur -but my proper vet said he couldn''t hear it  :Crazy:
Smartie has an enlarged heart and is on Fortekur -i am sure Merlin will be fine. :hug: :hug:
Title: Re: Help! Merlin has a heart murmur
Post by: madpants on November 14, 2009, 17:04:28 PM
Thanks everyone for your supportive comments -  I feel slightly less worried now  :wow:
Title: Re: Help! Merlin has a heart murmur
Post by: Bazsmum on November 15, 2009, 02:06:44 AM
Glad your feeling less worried.....Positive vibes to Merlin, but as other's say nothing as such to worry about!  :Luv2: :hug:
Title: Re: Help! Merlin has a heart murmur
Post by: Kucinta on November 18, 2009, 17:31:58 PM
Both my boys were diagnosed with heart murmurs on their first annual check up. They are now 4 years old and at the last check up the murmurs were graded 3. However they both seem fine so it's a case of continuing to monitor them.