Heart Murmur
Problem: Feline heart murmurs occur when the heart produces extra vibrations in response to a disturbance in the blood flow. Heart murmurs can resolve themselves over time, such as happens often with kittens by the time they are 4-5 months old. Some murmurs may remain but have little effect on the cat’s quality of life.
Cat parents should be careful though, because heart murmurs could be a sign of more severe conditions such as
Murmurs are graded by their level of intensity, from a I to a VI. A murmur's grade, when it occurs during the heart cycle, and length of duration are all used by veterinarians to determine the cause of the murmur.
Symptoms: Murmurs that are related to heart conditions may present with
Treatment: Heart murmurs are diagnosed by examining the cat’s heart with a stethoscope. Treatment for heart murmurs vary depending on the underlying cause and can include special diets and medication.
Cat parents should be careful though, because heart murmurs could be a sign of more severe conditions such as
- Cardiac disease
- Anemia
- Fever or infection
- Hyperthyroidism
Murmurs are graded by their level of intensity, from a I to a VI. A murmur's grade, when it occurs during the heart cycle, and length of duration are all used by veterinarians to determine the cause of the murmur.
Symptoms: Murmurs that are related to heart conditions may present with
- Coughing
- Poor appetite
- Weakness
- Lethargy
Treatment: Heart murmurs are diagnosed by examining the cat’s heart with a stethoscope. Treatment for heart murmurs vary depending on the underlying cause and can include special diets and medication.