Mild Heart Enlargement, Bloodwork Normal, Vet Didn’t Explain What This Indicates

[Mango the Maine Coon]

All of the info I’m finding about heart enlargement online is for cases a lot more severe than this. I need to know the implications of this diagnosis. I need to know more about mild cases of this condition.

 

[duckpond]

I dont know, just wanted to send encouragement. and hopes that everything will be fine.

 

[FakeGourmet]

Heart enlargement means that there is some condition that is causing his heart to work harder - every day. Now, in my Dad's case, it was caused by a heart attack - a section of the heart died and the rest of the heart has to work harder to make up for it. Enlarged heart used to be very common in cats until they discovered that cats needed taurine.

WebMD gives a good general explanation. Enlarged Heart (Dilated Cardiomyopathy) in Cats | petMD

 

[Mango the Maine Coon]

Heart enlargement means that there is some condition that is causing his heart to work harder - every day. Now, in my Dad's case, it was caused by a heart attack - a section of the heart died and the rest of the heart has to work harder to make up for it. Enlarged heart used to be very common in cats until they discovered that cats needed taurine.

WebMD gives a good general explanation. Enlarged Heart (Dilated Cardiomyopathy) in Cats | petMD

Why did the vet not mention the seriousness of this is it normal for vets to expect you to look everything up yourself and make a treatment plan by yourself? I understand “bedside manner” is typically not the reason a person becomes a veterinarian but I can’t deal with not knowing what’s going on, what to watch for, what this specific “mild” diagnosis means as far as things that could be causing it and treatment options, and whether I should be expecting him to live long term or not.. he’s only 9-10 months old. Not even sure if it is safe for him to play

 

[maggiedemi]

Can you email your vet and ask for a better explanation? Maybe time for a new vet if he won't take the time.

 

[di and bob]

A mild enlargement means it is usually not serious enough to start medications and therapies that are often in themselves a problem in other areas, like causing blood clots, etc., and for now just needs to be watched. My Burt lived with an enlarged heart for at least ten years of his seventeen year life on lasix to 'thicken' his blood and make it easier for his heart to push it. He started on twice a day, which I lowered to once a day after a year to try to minimize the clot risk after consulting the vet. I used his 'cough' to monitor his meds. Coughing is often a sign of an enlarged heart because it indicates fluid pushed back into the lungs because the heart is too weak to circulate it fast enough. My three year old Tommy was just diagnosed with a murmur, and is not serious enough for action, but should be monitored. Older humans OFTEN develop murmurs, I would say 8 out of ten, (I worked in a nursing home for years) and it was in no way restrictive to their lifestyle. They lived perfectly normal lives for many years.
The thing to do is to write down any questions you have, don't depend on your memory in a stressful situation, and either bring it in to the vet or E-mail it and have him make recommendations and answer your questions. DO NOT depend on the internet. So many are put there with emotions, not medically sound answers, and most lead you to believe the worst and most dire of outcomes, when in fact there are many thousands of cats whom have this condition and lead normal lives.If you don't like the answers this vet is giving you, by all means consult a second, maybe a specialist. Most vets have been vets for many years and have seen a lot of cases similar to yours. So trust them to know some advise and answers.
If your vet advised you it was 'mild', he would know. So unless he specifically gave you instructions that indicate a need for meds, surgery or a change in your cat's routine, just continue to let him be a cat, love him all you can, and ask what to be aware of that means his condition is changing, like a cough that worsens, lethargy, or a refusal to eat/drink. Your little one was most likely born with this condition. And now that you are aware of it, the proper steps can be taken with teh help of a good vet, to ensure he has a long, normal life. Don't worry about tomorrow, none of us are guaranteed one. Just live the fullest you can with that precious boy today. I'll pray for you both, thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving taht sweet little boy such a wonderful home and your love. Please keep in touch! PS go to the top of the page and where you see 'search' click on that and type in "murmur in young cat" you can get lots more info there!

 

[Mango the Maine Coon]

A mild enlargement means it is usually not serious enough to start medications and therapies that are often in themselves a problem in other areas, like causing blood clots, etc., and for now just needs to be watched. My Burt lived with an enlarged heart for at least ten years of his seventeen year life on lasix to 'thicken' his blood and make it easier for his heart to push it. He started on twice a day, which I lowered to once a day after a year to try to minimize the clot risk after consulting the vet. I used his 'cough' to monitor his meds. Coughing is often a sign of an enlarged heart because it indicates fluid pushed back into the lungs because the heart is too weak to circulate it fast enough. My three year old Tommy was just diagnosed with a murmur, and is not serious enough for action, but should be monitored. Older humans OFTEN develop murmurs, I would say 8 out of ten, (I worked in a nursing home for years) and it was in no way restrictive to their lifestyle. They lived perfectly normal lives for many years.
The thing to do is to write down any questions you have, don't depend on your memory in a stressful situation, and either bring it in to the vet or E-mail it and have him make recommendations and answer your questions. DO NOT depend on the internet. So many are put there with emotions, not medically sound answers, and most lead you to believe the worst and most dire of outcomes, when in fact there are many thousands of cats whom have this condition and lead normal lives.If you don't like the answers this vet is giving you, by all means consult a second, maybe a specialist. Most vets have been vets for many years and have seen a lot of cases similar to yours. So trust them to know some advise and answers.
If your vet advised you it was 'mild', he would know. So unless he specifically gave you instructions that indicate a need for meds, surgery or a change in your cat's routine, just continue to let him be a cat, love him all you can, and ask what to be aware of that means his condition is changing, like a cough that worsens, lethargy, or a refusal to eat/drink. Your little one was most likely born with this condition. And now that you are aware of it, the proper steps can be taken with teh help of a good vet, to ensure he has a long, normal life. Don't worry about tomorrow, none of us are guaranteed one. Just live the fullest you can with that precious boy today. I'll pray for you both, thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving taht sweet little boy such a wonderful home and your love. Please keep in touch! PS go to the top of the page and where you see 'search' click on that and type in "murmur in young cat" you can get lots more info there!

Reading this was immensely helpful I am so touched that you spent the time writing that out. It’s like you flipped a light on and now I understand a little bit of what’s going on and where to begin with this journey. You’ve given me hope that things will be ok. Mango has no symptoms like coughing so it’s probably a fairly early diagnosis. I’m thinking about taking him to a cat cardiologist because the vet said I could take him there for an ultrasound if I want to take things that far, but that’s $500 right off the the bat so it’s not cheap but I need to get a feel for how necessary the ultrasound is at this time.

 

[FakeGourmet]

Diandbob explained it well. The thing is most vets do not recommend additional testing because the treatment can be harsh or because it really doesn't change treatment. What does change is that you are compelled to be sure to bring the cat in for regular appointments to monitor the condition. I don't normally bring my cats in for an annual vet check until they are 10 unless there is a chronic condition involved, for instance. Instead, I bring them in every 3 years. Well, with a heart condition, that changes it mostly because it can subtly affect all body systems. Most people don't want to know. They just want to know when to bring the cat in for a checkup.

 

[di and bob]

What a little sweetheart! I wouldn't be too concerned, it could be something he was born with and be a 'benign' murmur that will mean no change in longevity, health, etc. Just take one day at a time. No cough means it is not serious enough to cause that anyway, and that is good. I myself would just make sure to get regular checkups, 6 months -year, whatever your vet says to check for any change early. Burt had a very enlarged heart with a murmur, and he lived over ten years with it. All the best!