I think Ivy is going back to his breeder or original owner.

[carole]

What a dilemma for you, I really donot envey your decision making ahead of you, only you and you alone can make the call, and i am sure you will do what is best for Ivy and you.

My older cat Ash has a heart murmur, i am not sure of the grade, but it is considered low, and he is fine, he sleeps more and tends to sneeze a lot,and has a few unwell days, but we are not sure if that is due to the problem or not, in general he is a healthy old boy for his age,despite the usual age related problems.

Good luck and i hope all works out well for you.

[jenluckenbach]

Gee, I don't know what to say except to agree with WolfLady. Both Willow AND Fern have a grade 3 heart murmur and have NEVER been on any medication nor ever had any tests. I am just to watch for signs such as labored breathing etc. But they have never been sick in their lives (Fern is 11 and Willow is 7).

[buttercup132]

See that's the thing though. Some of you are saying your cats have them but don't show any signs. Ivy dose, I even posted a video of what he sounds like. He has troubles breathing and he coughs alot.

[Catty1]

Okay, just remind me - is the vet sure that the coughing and breathing problems are because of the murmur?

[Freedom]

If you haven't already, I think you should speak with the breeder.

Do you know if the breeder has a website?

I ask because I found this contract on line from ONE sphynx breeder. http://www.doggydayscatnapacres.com/sphynxcontract.html It specifically states that no kitten will be sold with even a slight heart murmur. So if nothing else, the breeder will want to KNOW that one kitten in one litter developed such a condition.

The breeder may actually have some suggestions which none of us will; depending upon how much experience the breeder has.

I do think you are right to return to the cat to one of them and get your money back. This cat is currently not only with a heart murmur but also with many symptoms. This should have been disclosed to you before you even put down a deposit!

What a difficult situation.

[buttercup132]

They are pretty positive. They can't know for sure unless there are test done. They think he could have too much fluids in his heart which would be shown on a ultrasound and he would have to be on meds for life to keep that under control.
They thought maybe a poylups but the other vet didn't see anything and the second vet said he highly doubts it a poylups.
He went on antibiotics for a URI because she said it could be that but it's also unlikley and they didn't help him.

Do you guys think I should just leave him then and say no to all these test? I was thinking about that the other day but then again he does cough and have trouble breathing so maybe that wouldn't be a good idea.

EDIT: Sorry Freedom I never saw your post .
Yes the breeder has a site. I don't think she breeds anymore and if so not often at all because she is into rescuing now.
http://www.defuzzld.com/
I have emailed her I said almost exactly what I said on here (just different wording because I can't copy paste) and asked her what she thinks I should do. I also told her I have been advised by a few people (which means the people on PT and my family and boss) to contact her and see if she will take him back.

The thing I am scared of with giving Ivy back to the person I got him from is I don't think she will give him the proper vet care (being as she failed to before) or that she will re sell him to someone and not say he has a heart murrmor again and then they obvioulsy too will not give him the care he needs or they will go to the vet and find out the same thing I did.

When the breeder replies to my e mail I will ask her if she has a copy of the contract she is always helpful like that and always offers to give me previous vet papers she has and she offered to give me another copy of his pedigree papers (if the very very original owner even signed a contract). I also don't know if it would apply to me because I'm not the person who bought him and signed the contract.

I Probably Would Return Ivy And Buy A Healthy Cat.

That's what my boss said. But I don't know if thats right..I don't know if I would even want another one after Ivy. In all honesty I got him because he had be up for sale in the classified ads for so long and I felt bad for him or else I don't think I would have got another cat. But I'm also worried about Duck if Ivy dose go. I don't know if another cat for him to bond to would be better for him or not.
Either way if I did sent Ivy back and decided I want another one it wouldn't be for a long time. I'd like to do it properly this time and go through a good breeder who has a good contract.

[catmandu]

We Are Certainly Not Going To Pass Judgement As I Do Not Know What I Would Do If I Had A Cat Whoses Tests Would Start At 2000 Especially If I Was Starting Out.
I Probably Would Return Ivy And Buy A Healthy Cat.
We Are Praying That That Sweet Dear Little Cat Will Be All Right And Our Prayers Go Out To You.

[jenluckenbach]

Well, if he is having symptoms with breathing etc, than this murmur is very likely causing him distress. As I said, mine do not, but I am soppose to look for things like troubled breathing.

[Sevaede]

I'm so sorry Buttercup.

I found out earlier this year that my Little Dog had a grade 3 murmur but the vet said it was nothing really to worry about. However, she did end up passing away a few months later. She did have a coughing problem and seizure problem that the vet attributed towards the murmur. We had thought she had a collapsing trachea all along (that's one of the reasons she went to the vet and found out about that, I was getting ready for her to have surgery on the trachea)!

I'm confused about that and am curious to see what else your vet says about them!

[moosmom]

The things you need to ask yourself are these:

Is he suffering?
Is he using the litterbox?
Is he eating?

If not, then JennLibrarian is right...

If she would not keep him but have him PTS, I think I'd keep him!

AS LONG AS HE'S NOT SUFFERING. That is what's in Ivy's best interest.

There's your answer.