Heart Murmur in Cats

If you thought it's only we humans who suffer from a variety of heart diseases, then think again. Cats too suffer from various heart diseases apart from other common cat health problems. Heart murmur is a type of heart disease more common among the older cats than the younger ones.

What Is a Heart Murmur?

The heart is one of the most important organs of any living body. It is the organ which is responsible for the supply of blood, oxygen and other vital nutrients to all parts of the body. The 'lub-dub' sound in the heart is caused by the pumping and shutting of the valves in the heart. This is the sound which is heard by the vet with his stethoscope. It can be found in cats when the vet can detect other abnormal sounds apart from the normal pumping of the heart. These sounds are normally caused by the turbulent pumping of the heart and mostly replace the 'lub-dub' sound with a 'whosh' sound. Heart murmurs are also sometimes present in healthy cats where they do not have any physical problems in spite of the murmurs.

Types of Heart Murmurs in Cats

After the vet has detected an abnormal sound with his stethoscope, he has to grade the sound according to its level of intensity. Normally, an ECG is taken prior to this grading process which helps in determining the actual pattern of the heartbeats. The murmurs are then graded from 1 to 6, depending upon its volume, with 1 being the minimum and 6 the maximum.

• Grade 1 are the mildest as they can hardly be heard.
• Grade 2 occur mostly in specific areas of the heart and are pretty faint
• Grade 3 are usually heard by the vet immediately when the examination of the heart begins. The sound is widely projected.
• Grade 4 are also heard right after the examination begins and are combined with a heavy vibration.
• Grade 5 are the loudest murmurs.
• Grade 6 is the one which can also be heard after the stethoscope is removed from the chest.

Causes of Heart Murmur in Cats

Heart murmurs are often a sign of heart disease though not always leading to something serious. Murmurs are also seen in kittens when they are young but they normally disappear after six months or so. Its causes can be broadly classified into two categories - Cardiac and Non Cardiac.

Cardiac Causes:

• Murmurs heard in young growing cats or innocent murmurs. These murmurs are usually gone after 6 months.
• If there is a defect with the heart valves.
• If there are changes in the heart musculature. This is also known as cardiomyopathy.
• In case the kitten is born with a heart defect or with a hole in the heart.

Non Cardiac Causes:

• Fever
• High blood pressure
• Hyperthyroidism
• Low count of RBC(Red Blood Cell)s.

Symptoms of Heart Murmur in Your Cat

Generally, a vet during his examination of the cat can properly determine a murmur. But there are certain symptoms which cannot be ignored:

• Pale gums
• Improper growth among kittens
• Sudden weight loss among adult cats.
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Abnormal breathing

In case your cat shows any of these signs, it is advisable to consult your vet immediately.

Available Treatment

It can be treated properly if it is diagnosed early. Once the vet is able to detect the murmurs, it is important to go for an extensive ultrasonic test. Your vet might also suggest you to see a vet cardiologist.

The treatment also depends on the causes of the murmurs. If the cause is high blood pressure or anemia, then medication is given accordingly. If the cause of murmurs is hyperthyroidism, then effective medication to control the excess hormones produced is prescribed. In case of heart murmurs in kittens, no medication is given because the murmurs normally cease after a certain period of time.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, is a common heart disease among cats which is caused due to the enlargement of the heart walls. This could also lead to murmurs, but it can be treated if diagnosed properly.

A heart surgery is normally recommended only for congenial defects or the ones which the kittens are born with.

If the murmur is not a result of any functional problem, there is no need for a treatment. In such cases there would be a need for a regular and periodical check-up from your vet. This will keep the vet updated on the case and also will help him diagnose if any serious complications are building up. Heart failure is very rare; so there is nothing much to worry about.

So kindly do not ignore your cat's health, however minor the ailment may seem. In any case, for proper diagnosis and treatment, it is always advisable to consult your veterinarian.