Heart Murmur - How bad is it??

[Dog1,Cats2]

I took my 2 cats in for dental work a couple days ago; one was fine and got his teeth all cleaned (Punkin-Head Jones). The vet called me about the other one, 8 year old Chelsea, saying that they were concerned about her possible negative reaction to the anesthesia as it appears that she had a heart murmur. (Not noted a few months ago at her last exam.) They didn't do any dental work on her - recommended I take her to another place for an ultrasound.

I just called and found out that it's going to cost $80.00 to see the vet cardiologist and another $250.00 for the ultrasound. Ouch! (Then I can take her back to get the dental work done for another $265.00)

Anyone had any experience with heart murmur?? She acts perfectly normal. Is this necessary?? What else can I expect??? Is it too late to do anything about getting vet insurance???

Thanks, Evelyn

[Craftlady]

The vet insurance won't probably help you on this illness because it's a "pre-exiting condition". Most insurances (one we have) has a 30 day waiting period before benefits start.

Maybe the vet will do payment plan for you.

I would definetly get the heart murmur checked out. I have experience (brief) was not positive out come. Heart murmur was found along with Feline Leukemia, I know FL was major cause of death not certain how heart murmur fit in to things.

[Denyce]

265 for a teeth cleaning????!?!???!???!!!!!

I don't think I have EVER paid more than 85. Jeesh.

[Dog1,Cats2]

Well, the cleaning itself was only $48.00. The anesthetic was $68.00, the EKG monitoring was $15.00, $11.00 for hospital stay, $7.00 for 7 days of antibiotic pills, and $16.00 for subQ fluids. And that didn't include the $50.00 pre-op bloodwork, because this time of year, they don't charge for it.

We had a rescue dog's teeth cleaned last year at another area vet and the cost was similar.

But, it may as well be a child!

[Dog1,Cats2]

Thanks for your comments and responses.

UPDATE: I took Chelsea to the vet specialist (cardiologist) for the ultrasound yesterday. They were impressed at how sweet and accomodating she was (despite trembling from being scared to death!).

The results is that there is some significant thickening of the heart wall. If untreated, and if it progresses, the 2 main problems are clotting which usually affects/paralyses the back legs and conjestive heart failure. And because cats typically don't show symptoms until they're really severe; there's no way of knowing how bad heart issues are until way too late.

We've caught it early and she's been presecribed daily medication to help keep the heart muscle from thickening further (I'm so looking forward to having to give her a pill every day for the rest of her life . . .)

To my surprise, after such a stressful day for her (that dreaded cat carrier/scary trip in the car/a stranger touching and looking at her - vet exam/getting her chest shaved/getting gooped for the ultrasound/getting ultrasounded/etc.) she was her sweet affectionate self when we got home (instead of Ms. Aloof-I'm-not-talking-to-you-because-of-all-the-horrible-things-you-did-to-me-and-I-don't-want-you-to-pet-me-or-pick-me-up-or-anything ---- I'm-just-going-to-sulk!).

So, despite my much lighter pocketbook, I'm hopeful that catching this problem early will keep it from getting worse.

[Ally Cat's Mommy]

It sounds like you have caught it early enough that the meds will help, and she can continue to live a happy and healthy life.

I know a while ago some PTérs were discussing pill dispensers for cats - maybe you could try one of those if it is going to be a daily trial!

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Sorry that it's so serious, but I'm glad you caught it early. Now hopefully the meds will do their thing and sweet Chelsea will live a nice long life.

[emily_the_spoiled]

I am glad that you were able to catch the problem early. Hopefully with the medication she will live a long and lazy life

I have been known to crush tablets up and mix them in with the wet catfood. Trying to force a pill down their throats just doesn't work in our household...

[smokey the elder]

I have found that cats get used to getting meds. They may give you grief at first, but the battles become more for form's sake. There are as many theories on pilling cats as the meds themselves. Some of mine prefer it in a smelly kitty treat. For most, it's just down the hatch, and a reward after. Like any training, rewards can work really well.

Good luck with your kitty!

[Dog1,Cats2]

Thanks for your comments and advice. I"ve started giving her daily pill mixed in a small amount of canned catfood. After she eats that, she gets the rest of her breakfast - so far, thats worked real well.