Heart Murmur In Cats Symptoms
To diagnose the cause of a heart murmur your vet might recommend tests such as blood tests echocardiograms and chest x-rays.
Heart murmur in cats symptoms. The magnitude of murmurs is generally classified in grades with 1 being the least serious and 6 the most serious. This type of disturbed flow can be the result of structural problems within the heart ie heart disease or an extracardiac problem not associated with heart disease. However this is a huge mistake as hearing a heart murmur during a routine physical is often the first and only sign of a potentially serious heart problem.
Symptoms of a heart murmur can vary widely depending on several characteristics. Also since the intensity of the heart murmur can be difficult to detect we need to look out for the following symptoms to point to a possible cardiac problem. Heart Murmurs and Age.
Although some cases of heart murmur in cats are not serious it is would be safer to err on the side of caution. Fast shallow noisy or heavy breathing. Symptoms of a heart murmur can vary widely depending on several characteristics.
The heart murmur is only audible with a stethoscope and is therefore very difficult for the cat owner to detect. There are usually no external symptoms clinical signs of a heart murmur in itself. Of breathing difficulties shortness of breath wheezing.
Some cats may not exhibit any signs at all. Cat Heart Murmur Symptoms. This can indicate an irregularity with blood flow between the hearts valves which could affect oxygen and nutrients levels as blood is pumped around the body.
A cat heart murmur is an irregularity of the heart rhythm caused by abnormal blood flow. Causes of Heart Murmurs in Cats. Loss of appetite anorexia Weight loss.