Ghost had a heart murmur detected today. The vet didn't give us a level but he will go for an ultrasound. We don't have a date yet as labs etc are closed because of the storms.
So he's likely had this problem since we got him in July. He's young so it could still be congenital or acquired.
His symptoms are panting after playing with a wand toy, sometimes or like today during his vet visit when he was very stressed.
No panting if he plays on his own or with other cats. He's not resistant to exercise; he's always wanting to play and doesn't stop when he pants (we stop). It's always brief, less than one minute.
No pale gums, weight loss, muscle wasting, movement issues, coughing or sneezing, eating or toilet issues etc.
We are to monitor his resting heart rate as possible until his appointment. The vet said medication and supplements needed can be determined after the ultrasound.
Were already at a cat-only hospital.
I don't know what the likelihood of having two young cats with heart issues. I'm pretty mad at the world right now but also hoping that Ghost will live a normal life. Magnus's is an innocent congenital heart murmur (LVL 1) and he took a taurine supplement for it. They don't believe his life will be shortened or sickly. Nobel had a congenital heart murmur as well and lived to 17; his sister died before age 5 (they were half maine coon so increased chances).
The shelter did have Ghost on a food containing pea protein before we got him. He's of unknown origin. He's had FIV and FEVL testing that is negative. He was parasite treated last May but I don't know with what (shelter). He had panting when we brought him home but there was severe fire smoke, then he didn't pant for awhile and then had some more panting during some hot days during Jan.
I'd love to hear other people's experiences and what their cat's symptoms were to know what to expect.
I'll also post updates on this issue as we go.
So he's likely had this problem since we got him in July. He's young so it could still be congenital or acquired.
His symptoms are panting after playing with a wand toy, sometimes or like today during his vet visit when he was very stressed.
No panting if he plays on his own or with other cats. He's not resistant to exercise; he's always wanting to play and doesn't stop when he pants (we stop). It's always brief, less than one minute.
No pale gums, weight loss, muscle wasting, movement issues, coughing or sneezing, eating or toilet issues etc.
We are to monitor his resting heart rate as possible until his appointment. The vet said medication and supplements needed can be determined after the ultrasound.
Were already at a cat-only hospital.
I don't know what the likelihood of having two young cats with heart issues. I'm pretty mad at the world right now but also hoping that Ghost will live a normal life. Magnus's is an innocent congenital heart murmur (LVL 1) and he took a taurine supplement for it. They don't believe his life will be shortened or sickly. Nobel had a congenital heart murmur as well and lived to 17; his sister died before age 5 (they were half maine coon so increased chances).
The shelter did have Ghost on a food containing pea protein before we got him. He's of unknown origin. He's had FIV and FEVL testing that is negative. He was parasite treated last May but I don't know with what (shelter). He had panting when we brought him home but there was severe fire smoke, then he didn't pant for awhile and then had some more panting during some hot days during Jan.
I'd love to hear other people's experiences and what their cat's symptoms were to know what to expect.
I'll also post updates on this issue as we go.
It all goes smoothly and he doesn't need anesthesia for it because I'm very anxious.
