Question Regarding Heart Issues and SubQ Fluids

[DizzyLizzy2187]

I am not sure if this is the right forum, but I figure this sounds close enough. Without going into the long post I wrote a few days ago, I had an issue with my previous Stormy almost a month ago. She has a heart murmur and I have known about it since I adopted her a year ago. I am really not pleased with my vets right now and I wanted to know other people's experiences because when I met with the owner today, he basically brushed me off.
So my two issues are that when I brought my cat to the vet last year after I adopted her, the idea of getting an echo was not really brought up. And mind you we had discussed her having her teeth cleaned in that same appointment. I know this is the internet and no one here knows me, but I can assure you that if there is a precaution that can be taken to help keep my cats healthy and safe, I will take it.
My second issue is that I heard from 2 of the ER vets (one of whom is the critical care specialist and cardiologist) that doing subQ fluids in cats with heart conditions is really high risk because you can't control the rate of absorption and when meeting with the owner he didn't really seem to see the problem in my cat getting fluids two days in a row. I even brought up how it seemed pointless because we didn't even really know if she was dehydrated since she wasn't vomiting, didn't have diarrhea, and was still drinking water.

I wanted to get other people's thoughts and experiences if they have had a cat with a heart murmur and how it was handled. Were you sent for an echo sooner than later? Was your cat given subcutaneous fluids indiscriminately? I guess I really am looking to know if I have reason to be upset or if I am overreacting.

 

[DizzyLizzy2187]

*Edit* it shouldn't say previous Stormy, it should say precious. She is still here on this good earth with me!!!!

 

[Mamanyt1953]

I do not have a cat with a heart murmur, but in my years here, I have walked that path with a good many people. The first thing to remember is that there are murmurs, and there are MURMURS. And an echo can tell you exactly what you are dealing with, and IF subQ fluids are appropriate. But if a cat is drinking properly, I don't see why they would be given at all.

I can see why you are frustrated with your current vet, and why you are questioning. And it is SO hard to switch vets right now. However, when the time comes to find a vet who is more responsive to your questions and needs, these articles can help:

How To Choose The Best Veterinarian For My Cat? – TheCatSite Articles
Cat Vet Checkup – What To Expect – TheCatSite Articles
How To Talk To Your Vet – TheCatSite Articles

I'm certain that someone with more direct, first-hand information will be here soon!

 

[DizzyLizzy2187]

Thank you! It's hard because literally in a span of 2 weeks we had issues with 2 different cats and their hearts, and it is all new to us. We have dealt with kidney disease, pancreatitis, diabetes, and whatnot, but heart conditions are brand new territory for us. We learned quite a bit in a span of a week because not only did Stormy have a visit to the ER, 5 days earlier our 16 year old boy Dunkin was admitted to the hospital because a week and a half earlier he had been diagnosed with heart failure and he collapsed that Saturday. Comes to find out he hadn't really been diagnosed properly. Why? Because our vet never did an echo. He had one done during his stay at the ER because the cardiologist caring for him is amazing and felt that something wasn't right with what we had been told and what she was seeing in Dunkin so she went and took a peak at his heart and found that he has right side heart failure. So she cut back on one of his meds and prescribed a new one and he has been doing much better since. Stormy went for an echo about 2 weeks after she was released from the hospital and they saw that she has moderate mitral regurgitation.
I'm just concerned because at the ER (which is also a referral hospital so they have specialists there) they really were concerned that she had been given fluids 2 days in a row and that she was never sent for an echo during the year that I had her. One of the doctors had explained that in cats they can have a mild murmur and then they find extensive damage, or the opposite; have a terrible murmur and the heart is in pretty good condition. I just feel that this was a mistake on the vet's part and them trying to justify it is making me even angrier than I already am about it happening. And the thing is is that that's only part of the issue, it's a big part, but only part. I'm not happy about how they handled her lack of appetite. She went up there 2 days in a row for fluids and xrays and she wasn't getting any better and had she not gone into fluid overload she would have gone back up on Thursday, I'm sure for the same thing. Meanwhile they're hitting me up $400 each trip and my cat was not getting any better. It's just a mess and I'm so angry but also disappointed. I have been going there for 10 years and have always valued their opinion and trusted them. In a matter of a week that trust has been completely shattered.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

I am so, SO sorry. But do read those articles. and DO keep us posted with how your cats are doing!

Mild murmurs, Grade 1, probably won't affect anything at all. And an echo will tell you that.

 

[theyremine]

My experience was 10 years ago so for what it is worth...My vet told me my newly adopted Pedro needed a dental and she heard a murmur which she thought was a 3. He was estimated to be about 7 years old and came from a hoarding house so I had little background info. She strongly recommended an ultrasound which showed a grade 2 murmur and so he was approved for the dental. I think if you go for the echo and actually know the severity of the murmur, you could make more confident decisions.
As for your vet practice, now is a difficult time to change vets, but you have to be able to trust your vet. I'd ask friends for recommendations.

 

[DizzyLizzy2187]

Thank you. She went for the echo after her episode and they found a moderate mitral regurgitation. It's definitely not an easy time to change vets and I'm not sure if I'm going to. I'm angry because this was clearly a mistake on their part and them trying to justify it is further frustrating me. When all was said and done I dropped $3300 for all of this, which mind you if one of my cats needs something I am going to get it done for them, the cost is not the end of the world. This just seems like I spent a lot that could have been avoided. They weren't really doing anything for her lack of appetite and then I had to spend the money at the ER to correct their mistake.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

UGH! But at least you know what you are dealing with now going forward, and what can and can't be done safely.