Vet just found a heart murmur in Beans

**Uniqueviking** · 03-31-2004, 03:53 AM

She'll be admitted to the clinic Monday morning for bloodtests, x-ray and scanning.

I'm just so

now.

**Randi** · 03-31-2004, 04:26 AM

So sorry to hear about Beans' heart murmur.

I hope it's treatabe!

Please keep us updated.

Hugs and positive thoughts to Beans and you.

**Ally Cat's Mommy** · 03-31-2004, 04:48 AM

Sending prayers and positive thoughts to you and Beans. Many people and animals live full lives with a heart murmer. (((HUGS)))

**Uniqueviking** · 03-31-2004, 05:24 AM

Thanks - I'm telling myself to hope for the best!

**sirrahbed** · 03-31-2004, 05:42 AM

Oh sorry to hear this news and of your sadness and worry! Let's all hope and pray that this condition is treatable and not serious. So glad that so many good tests are available when needed!

**kimlovescats** · 03-31-2004, 06:28 AM

I really am not educated well on heart murmurs, so I can offer no insight on them at all. I do hope and pray that it is nothing serious for your dear Beans! Please try not to worry too much yet, though I know that is easier said than done!

(((Hugs)))

**Grace** · 03-31-2004, 06:42 AM

Last summer our oldest, Duffy, was diagnosed with a heart murmer. It turned out to be a functional murmer - meaning it was not life-altering. Dufffy gets in a twit when going to the Vet; then his murmer starts up.

Hopefully, Bean will be like Duffy.

**catnapper** · 03-31-2004, 07:03 AM

{{{{Hugs}}}} I don't know what to say. I never knew animals developed these too... my brother has had one since birth and he's living a full healthy life.

**Dog1,Cats2** · 03-31-2004, 08:02 AM

Dear Unique Viking,

Sounds like you and I are dealing with the same thing -

Avter my regular vet determined last week that 8 year old Chelsea had a heart murmur, 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 (1) blood clots which usually affects/paralyses the back legs and (2) 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 (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.

I hope things turn out as successfully for your kitty too.

**K & L** · 03-31-2004, 08:05 AM

Oh no, how old is Beans? We had a cat with a murmur that she outgrew. Good Luck and hope all goes well!

**catmandu** · 03-31-2004, 08:55 AM

The Found Cats are Sad

That thier Friend Beans is not well , and are PRAYING , that all is well , and Beans can go home soon! MMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEOW to Beans, our Pal!

**kuhio98** · 03-31-2004, 09:15 AM

I'm so sorry about Beans. But, it doesn't necessarily mean that he'll be sick. Maybe at some point, he'll need medication.

I don't know much about it yet because we're just starting to get information on our new baby. We adopted Pepper from the shelter knowing that she had a "profound" heart murmur. Our vet says that they use of scale of 1-6. Six being the worst. Pepper's is a 6. She is 2 years old. She's perfectly happy and healthy. Runs around like crazy all day. Doesn't tire easily. Doesn't need to take medication yet.

We are still waiting the results of the ultrasound. Our vet said that if the problem was related to a valve, he would not recommend surgery. He's done the surgery many times and he said the results are 50/50. Half the time the cat is no better off.

But, if the problem is related to a vein or artery "hooked up" wrong, surgery is much more successful (in his opinion).

I wonder, is your Beans a small kitty? Pepper is 2 years old and she barely weighs 6 pounds. She is going to be very tiny all her (hopefully long) life. The doctor did mention that the fact that she's small is good for her heart.

I've done some searches on the net and have not found much information.

I hope that Beans has a long, happy and healthy life. Please keep us posted.

**slick** · 03-31-2004, 09:21 AM

Sounds like you've got some good information here. Prayers going out to little Beans. Please keep us posted.

**Uniqueviking** · 03-31-2004, 10:03 AM

Thank you all for your support - it's very much appreciated

Beans is approx. 3½ years old now. I got her when she was around 1 year old. She's a rescue. Those who had her did not at all treat her well and were happy to get rid of her (She was delivered to me in a plastic bag of all things), even though she has the sweetest little personality.

I hope it's "just" something like a functional murmur or aenemia, but unfortunately she has also lost weight, has developed eye problems and her little pink nose turns white + she is very tired all the time.

Edit: ...since she came to live with me, she's turned into a big girl - She grew very well and gained weight like she ought to (she was small and skinny when I got her). She weighed 11 pounds til recently and now she weighs 8.8 pounds.

This is Beans: