Cat heart
murmurs aren't always a life-threatening condition and in some cases a
murmur is nothing more than an incidental occurrence with no medical
significance. Heart murmurs are caused by uneven blood flow through the
heart which emits a distinct noise that veterinarians can detect with a
simple examination of the heartbeat and rhythm of the cat's heart.
Further tests are sometimes needed and the most reliable way to
diagnose a murmur is through ultrasound, but any irregularities in the
heart usually point to this type of condition. The severity and the
type of murmur can vary and are usually caused by different symptoms.
Types of Murmurs
A
heart murmur can manifest itself through one of two ways; a
physiological murmur can result from an acquired illness in the cat
through anemia or a high grade fever, while a pathological murmur is
borne from irregularities in the heart valves or chambers themselves.
In some cases, these kinds of murmurs are an indicator of more serious
illness, but often times murmurs are of no serious threat to the cat's
well being. Doctors grade the severity of murmurs on a six point scale,
with one being the most mild and six being very severe. These grades
are not an indication of the cat's health but a basis for how loud the
murmur sounds. A grade six murmur does not mean the cat is in danger
nor does a grade one mean that the cat has a clean bill of health.
Signs of a Murmur
The
signs of a possible heart murmur in your cat are shown through behavior
and visual cues. If your cat is lethargic, has labored breathing, is
generally weak or shows signs of changes in the color of the gums,
tongue or the skin these may be the first indicators and a veterinarian
should be consulted. Kittens may often display a murmur in their first
check-ups but these will disappear as they grow older and are usually
nothing to worry about.
Detection and Diagnosis
Most
diagnoses of heart murmur do not require treatment but careful
monitoring of the cat's behavior patterns and routine examinations
every three to six months are recommended to assess any further medical
signs or worsening of the murmur itself. If the cat is comfortable and
is leading a normal life, then it's very likely the murmur is nothing
more than a harmless noise with no underlying life-threatening
conditions. It
is crucial that any changes in the cat's behavior are addressed
immediately and that a veterinarian runs the necessary tests to assess
if your cat has a murmur. With any medical condition, early detection
is important to keep your cat leading a healthy and happy life. Heart
disease can become a dangerous enemy if gone unchecked and while a
murmur may not be an indicator of heart disease, ignoring the problem
may make it worse.