Duffy's cardiac ultrasound

[Grace]

7 years ago, when Duffy was only 5, our Vet heard a murmur during a yearly exam. Duffy had a cardiac ultrasound and was diagnosed with an innocent murmur. When he got put in the carrier and taken to the Vet, he got in a twit and the murmur showed up.

Last month, he was at the Vet for a pre-dental cleaning check. A new Vet; she heard the murmur and was concerned because it was louder than descriptions from previous exams. She wanted another ultrasound before giving him anesthesia. Supposedly innocent murmurs do not get louder?

He had the cardiac ultrasound yesterday – same Feline Cardiologist as the previous exam. It was fascinating to watch this, and Duffy was so good. I think Dr. Brown thought he would find a problem – he also said the sound was louder, and he heard an arrhythmia that was not apparent 7 years ago.

The results were wonderful - Duffy is healthy.

FINAL DIAGNOSIS: Today's examination did confirm the presence of a moderate intensity systolic murmur at the left sternal border.
The echocardiogram revealed normal ventricular wall thicknesses, normal atrial and ventricular chamber dimensions, normal myocardial contractility and normal intra-cardiac blood flow.
Based on these findings, Duffy does not have any evidence of cardiomyopathy and his heart murmur can be considered innocent. No cardiac medications are required. Duffy can be considered a normal (safe) anesthetic risk.

[moosmom]

Grace,

That's wonderful news!!! Mollie Rose had a mild heart murmur and lived to the ripe old age of 16!

AWESOME!!! He's beautiful.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so glad to hear that his heart murmur is nothing to be concerned about. He sure is a handsome boy too. Both my Sunny and Sky had slight heart murmurs a few years ago but now they seem to be gone. One of my doctors also found one in me many years ago but later on it seemed to disappear too.

[pomtzu]

What a handsome boy that Duffy is. Glad to hear the good report, as I'm certain that you are.

Both my pups have a murmur, and so far, so good. Neither is on any meds and no evidence of fluid buildup. They both go back in March for a re-check. Ive noticed Sparky has been coughing a little, so I may end up taking them back before they're due.

Way to go Duffy.........

[smokey the elder]

Spike has a mild heart murmur. I guess it's not that uncommon.

[Grace]

I, also, have a murmur. Sometimes the doctors don't even hear it - unless I tell them there is one. I read recently that as many as 80% of kids have a functional/innocent murmur.

I'm happy that Duffy's murmur is still just innocent. Dr. Brown said his age is positive, his sex negative. Male cats are 3 times more likely than females to have a murmur. Most 'bad' murmurs are found between the ages of 3 - 7. Duffy is still a boy - but he is now 12

I love all my cats, but Duffy is my - for many reasons.

[Cataholic]

His cuteness is not innocent, that's for sure! Great news. Please kiss his wittle smoochy nose markings for me.