How to Detect and Treat Heart Murmurs in Cats
Bring your cat to the vet at least once a year., Discuss your cat’s medications and any related symptoms., Ask the vet if they recommend further tests., Get your cat tested for underlying conditions.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Bring your cat to the vet at least once a year.
Routine vet visits are the best way to identify heart murmurs, as nearly all are detected at annual checkups or vaccination appointments.
During a routine exam, the vet listens to a pet’s heart with a stethoscope.
If they detect a murmur, they’ll let you know how significant it is and if it requires further testing.Heart murmurs in kittens often go away on their own.
The vet will likely suggest a follow up visit after a few weeks. -
Step 2: Discuss your cat’s medications and any related symptoms.
If the vet detects a murmur, they’ll ask several questions about your cat’s overall health.
Tell them if your cat takes any medications and if you’ve observed symptoms such as:
Poor appetite Weight loss Lethargy or weakness Difficulty breathing Pale gums , Not all heart murmurs are the same, and the vet will grade the murmur’s intensity on a scale of one to six.
The vet will base their diagnosis on this grade, as well as the murmurs' duration, when they occur in the heart cycle, and the cat’s age.
They'll either recommend imaging tests or let you know that the murmur is innocent, which is the term given to murmurs that don’t impact overall health.Imaging tests, like an x-ray or echocardiogram, will help the vet detect signs of heart disease or deformity.
Depending on test results, the vet might refer you to a veterinary cardiologist, or heart specialist., Heart murmurs can also indicate conditions like anemia and hyperthyroidism.
The vet will likely recommend tests for these and other issues.An underlying medical issue, like hyperthyroidism, can often be treated with a good outlook and without complications.
Treating hyperthyroidism usually resolves the related heart issue. -
Step 3: Ask the vet if they recommend further tests.
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Step 4: Get your cat tested for underlying conditions.
Detailed Guide
Routine vet visits are the best way to identify heart murmurs, as nearly all are detected at annual checkups or vaccination appointments.
During a routine exam, the vet listens to a pet’s heart with a stethoscope.
If they detect a murmur, they’ll let you know how significant it is and if it requires further testing.Heart murmurs in kittens often go away on their own.
The vet will likely suggest a follow up visit after a few weeks.
If the vet detects a murmur, they’ll ask several questions about your cat’s overall health.
Tell them if your cat takes any medications and if you’ve observed symptoms such as:
Poor appetite Weight loss Lethargy or weakness Difficulty breathing Pale gums , Not all heart murmurs are the same, and the vet will grade the murmur’s intensity on a scale of one to six.
The vet will base their diagnosis on this grade, as well as the murmurs' duration, when they occur in the heart cycle, and the cat’s age.
They'll either recommend imaging tests or let you know that the murmur is innocent, which is the term given to murmurs that don’t impact overall health.Imaging tests, like an x-ray or echocardiogram, will help the vet detect signs of heart disease or deformity.
Depending on test results, the vet might refer you to a veterinary cardiologist, or heart specialist., Heart murmurs can also indicate conditions like anemia and hyperthyroidism.
The vet will likely recommend tests for these and other issues.An underlying medical issue, like hyperthyroidism, can often be treated with a good outlook and without complications.
Treating hyperthyroidism usually resolves the related heart issue.
About the Author
Jose Young
With a background in education and learning, Jose Young brings 9 years of hands-on experience to every article. Jose believes in making complex topics accessible to everyone.
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