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Animal Health – General (Expert Forum)
cat w/heart murmur and neutering
Answered by
Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A - Small Animals, dogs, cats, C.V.A, Western Herbal Medicine, Traditional Chinese Herbalist, Acupuncture
American Animal Hospital
Randolph - NJ
This forum is for general pet health questions, such as questions about medications, parasites, vaccines, infectious diseases, breed specific and genetic problems.
cat w/heart murmur and neutering
by maryhe, Jun 20, 2007 12:00AM
My cat is 5 months old and our vet detected a slight heart murmur. Not yet confirmed on ultrasound, so not sure of cause. But he is completely energetic and doesn't show any signs of a problem.
Vet said there is a slight risk of a problem during the neutering procedure, but since he'll only be under general anesthesia for 5-10 minutes, he'll probably be just fine.
Do you have any thoughts on this? The ultrasound is kind of expensive, plus the cost of potential open heart surgery if a defect is found. I plan to continue monitoring the murmur as he grows, but not sure expensive diagnostics and invasive procedures are worthwhile at this point. I would like to have him neutered soon.
Vet said there is a slight risk of a problem during the neutering procedure, but since he'll only be under general anesthesia for 5-10 minutes, he'll probably be just fine.
Do you have any thoughts on this? The ultrasound is kind of expensive, plus the cost of potential open heart surgery if a defect is found. I plan to continue monitoring the murmur as he grows, but not sure expensive diagnostics and invasive procedures are worthwhile at this point. I would like to have him neutered soon.
Doctor's Answer
by Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A, Jun 20, 2007 12:00AM
, Jun 20, 2007 12:00AM
Your cat may have what is called an Innocent heart murmur. Many kittens and puppies can be born with a low grade systolic heart murmur (1 or 2 on a scale of 1 to 6) that is not necessarily heart disease or a heart defect that requires surgical correction, but rather a passing phase in the kittens or puppies development. These types of “innocent murmurs” may disappear by 6 or 7 months of age. An innocent murmur is more likely if your kitten has no other symptoms of heart disease such as coughing, pulmonary edema, fatigue, or some blood value abnormalities.
Generally, the higher the grade of a systolic murmur, or if there is the presence of a diastolic murmur, the more anesthetic risk, and further evaluation and cardiac diagnostics are necessary.
A full cardiac work up includes electrocardiography (ECG), chest X-Rays, and an echocardiogram. Heart surgery is usually only necessary for moderate to severe cardiac defects. Many heart problems can be controlled with medications.
If a kitten were to come into my practice with a slight heart murmur I would insist on chest X-Rays, ECG, and a full blood profile. If the murmur were moderate, I would insist on an echocardiogram prior to even a relatively minor surgery.
I cannot make the decision as to whether or not to have the full diagnostic work up for your cat since I have not assessed him personally. Just be prepared! One out of 1000 surgeries of even healthy individuals of all species can have unexpected outcomes.
However, if you can wait the extra month or two the heart murmur may disappear, if it is an innocent murmur.
Good Luck!
Generally, the higher the grade of a systolic murmur, or if there is the presence of a diastolic murmur, the more anesthetic risk, and further evaluation and cardiac diagnostics are necessary.
A full cardiac work up includes electrocardiography (ECG), chest X-Rays, and an echocardiogram. Heart surgery is usually only necessary for moderate to severe cardiac defects. Many heart problems can be controlled with medications.
If a kitten were to come into my practice with a slight heart murmur I would insist on chest X-Rays, ECG, and a full blood profile. If the murmur were moderate, I would insist on an echocardiogram prior to even a relatively minor surgery.
I cannot make the decision as to whether or not to have the full diagnostic work up for your cat since I have not assessed him personally. Just be prepared! One out of 1000 surgeries of even healthy individuals of all species can have unexpected outcomes.
However, if you can wait the extra month or two the heart murmur may disappear, if it is an innocent murmur.
Good Luck!
