Just a ordinary trip to the vet? NO! UPDATE

[Grace]

Our Darling Duffy was diagnosed with a murmur several years ago. All labs, including Thyroid, were normal. Next came the cardiac ultrasound. The Cardiologist brought Duffy back to us with a big smile on his face - Duffy's murmur is brought on by stress. He gets put in the carrier, goes to the Vet and he gets stressed. That's all.

I wish for you a similar outcome.

Duffy Darling -

[Laura's Babies]

WHAT A BELSSING that would be for Giz and your Duffy is truely blessed!

[jenluckenbach]

Laura, I do not think a 3 is a death sentence. Willow and Fern both have grade 3 murmurs and they are both the type that stress very easily. I have not had to do anything special for them except keep an eye out for labored breathing or other shortness of breath. They have never had any trouble at all and are 2 of the healthiest cats of the bunch.

So, YES, of course, have the tests done, hit all the bases, but do not panic.

Prayers for Giz.

[kuhio98]

Laura ~ Please don't worry so. Even with a heart murmur Giz can live for many, many years. Pepper's murmur is a 6 -- the worst possible. Nothing can be done to repair it. No medicine will help. How does this impact Pepper?

• Well, she's the only cat we've ever had that leaps from our balcony to the roof.

• She jumped down from the 2nd story balcony to the roof of our van and then ran into the back yard (twice!).

• She walks the top of the neighbor's 10-foot chain length fence.

• She climbs towels hanging on the bars and leaps to the top of the shower curtain rod or to the top of any available door.

• She fearlessly protected 'her' yard when Princess (the very un-Princess-like kitty from across the street) came to visit. Princess is about 20 pounds. Pepper is 6. She cleaned her clock! and Princess hasn't wandered across the street since!

She is almost 4 years old now. I do notice that she sleeps harder now. You know? Like little kids? They play and play and play and then can just drop and be in a deep sleep. But, about 20 minutes later, she's up and running full speed again. So, don't worry so much. Take a lesson from a cat. They don't seem to worry too much (we do it all for them)!

[Laura's Babies]

WHOA! What a LIFT!!! Kuhio, what a lift off my worried heart! THANKS! I am feeling better all the time!

[catfamily]

There are so many different kinds of heart problems.Not many are the same.Winston had the absolute worst.ENLARGED heart.Nothing to do but some heart meds to prolong it a little.
My Lucy has a heart problem but it is a leaky valve.I was told she will live a full normal life.No meds for her.It would be bad for her heart if she took meds I was told.So ALL are different.
I'm so sorry for your worries.Please keep us posted.I want to learn too.
Lucy has a heart murmer.Winston had a heart murmer.Both very different.