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

[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.

[buttercup132]

His breeder just e mailed me back saying this

Hi Alicia,

Please do not give him back to this previous owner who obviously never cared for him and actually physically disfigured him from what you have said. You can send him back to me at anytime if you'd like. On the otherhand, like what I've said before - often all the testing in the world really does nothing for the cat. Even if something is diagnosed, not much changes for the cat's life expectancy. If he's happy and in no stages of heart failure there is no reason not to just let him live happily as a pet. He could live his life with no problems, or he could at some point advance to heart disease. Its really unknown when you have no idea what has caused the heart murmur or whether it will ever progress, etc.... But quite honestly even with all the testing in the world the outcome won't change much. So its really a question of just giving him a happy life.

But PLEASE if you do not want to keep him return him to me, not to an owner who only had him for a short time, got him no routine vet care, and gave him up already. I think you care more about him than to do that. If you want to send him back to me we'd have to have him shipped, Continental is the only airline that ships in total temperature control and this time of year that would be needed. I would have to pick him up in Minneapolis on a weekend and we'd have to work out the plan for that because I travel a lot for business so we'd have to get it scheduled in.

I will be e mailing her back telling her about his coughing and breathing and see what she says about that.
Oh and what she means by disfigured is his tail because it has so many kinks. The person I got him from said her sister ran over his tail with a chair.

[Catty1]

The person I got him from said her sister ran over his tail with a chair.

OMG.....

Poor wittle Ivy...

I am glad the breeder is being so good...are you far away from her? It's a time when a lot of people are on holidays...is she close enough for a friend to drive Ivy there?

I am glad you are asking about the breathing thing. It might not be connected, in this case, though I realize it often is. Just make sure.

I know it's summer...but do you have some Vicks and a vaporizer?

Also - I don't know what it is called, but there is a liquid that clears sinuses - maybe he's got some kind of post nasal drip. Vets have it. You can either put drops up his nose (yeah, mine too - NOT! lol) or put it on a little 'mask' and just hold it over his muzzle for 6-7 breaths.

[buttercup132]

No he would have to be shipped she's in the U.S.
I think I have Vicks but what do I do with it/what will it do?

[Catty1]

Well, it won't cure anything. But use it for Ivy as if you had a cold and were using it for yourself. Maybe your mom or dad can help.

If Ivy is ok being in the bathroom with the door closed, that is a good place to "steam" him. Or in any smaller room; if he does freak out, maybe stay with him for 1/2 hour. (you will breathe it too, but that's ok)

I am suggesting this on the basis that it won't hurt his heart murmur or anything else. Please give your one vet a call and see if this is ok to do.

[buttercup132]

She got back to me again and I'm a little confused by this e mail.
Is she making me give him back to her?
All I said was he is coughing and has problems breathing.
I was also thinking though maybe it would be good for him to go back with her because she seems to know alot about murmurs and other problems.

Well its a little more complex than that. There are probably more minimal diagnostics that could be done simply to determine if he had fluid in his lungs from heart failure if that is your concern. Things to improve quality of life, starting him on meds as you mentioned, etc... That certainly does not take $2000 of diagnostic work. Most vets go this more realistic route when dealing with a pet. You can treat the symptoms without knowing the full root cause. If you're seeing coughing from heart failure you'd be seeing it a lot and it would be exercise related - ie when he ran, played, etc... Is that what you're seeing?

But yes, please lets arrange to have you ship him back to me. I could do it next Saturday the 21st, or the following weekend on the 28th. Let me know if you want me to make the arrangements with Continental or if you want to. You'd just have to check with me first on exact dates/times. You'll need to get his health certificate within 10 days of the flight and provide his kennel and travel supplies. If you have never shipped by air before you can log onto Continental's website for full requirements and details. With Continental the weight break for charges is at 10lbs (which he'll be over) so up to 50lbs is the same price, so I'd advise getting a large enough kennel that you can put a travel litterbox in the back and a comfortable bed in the front for that long of a flight.
Ok, so just let me know what we can work out to get him back here and safe!

[jenluckenbach]

I don't believe she is FORCING you to return him, I think she is going ahead with what you said you wanted......to give him back.

I think you need to decide what to do.

The breeder is correct in saying that knowing an EXACT cause may not be needed in order to provide quality of life. YES, it is helpful to know the cause, but it may not affect the outcome.

Since you say this was your secod vet opinion, it may not help to find yet a third vet, but having a vet who can be open, honest and straight forward is an asset.