"Gallop" heart rhythm?

[Phoebe's human]

Special thanks to Traci for speedily making it possible for me to log in again here.

I haven't been here for quite a while because Phoebe and I have been busy moving.

Now I have a question. Today I had to call a vet who makes house calls because Phoebe was in considerable pain. It's probably caused by either a tooth problem or something that pierced her gums.

While the vet was here, she mentioned that Phoebe has a "gallop" heart rhythm and recommended taking her to a cardiologist.

Can anyone tell me more about a "gallop" heart rhythm?

When I first got Phoebe and took her to a vet (5 years ago), the vet did mention some heart rhythm problem. I can't recall what she called it, but she definitely said it was nothing to be concerned about.

[Traci]

A gallop rhythm is an extra heart sound upon auscultation, it can be heard as 1-4 or so extra sounds.

The vet five years ago most likely heard a murmur, and sometimes these are not worrisome if they are monitored regularly.

Did your vet offer a blood pressure check? Offer to do bloodwork to check renal function and thyroid function? Offer xrays to determine the heart's size and shape? These are all very important diagnostics to detect heart problems. If he has done none of these diagnostics, see a feline cardiologist right away.

A gallop ryhthm can indicate heart disease, such as cardiomyopathies or congestive heart failure, so yes, it is imperative you see a feline cardiologist for a full workup. The cardiologist will probably want to do an echocardiogram and/or an electrocardiogram. The echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart, it's structure; the electrocardiogram determines the heart's electrical waves etc; both are useful for determining blood flow obstruction, weakness in the ventricles, and differentiating between the different types of cardiomyopathy.

Don't wait on this, Phoebe's human, get Phoebe to the cardiologist promptly and heed the cardiologist's advice for necessary diagnostics. Not saying Phoebe has cardiomyopathy but you always want to be absolutely certain and if diagnosis is early, treatment can help manage the condition.

Unfortunately, when moving, this is an extremely stressful time for her, and stress is NOT good for a cat with heart problems. Please do everything you can toward keeping stress reduced and keeping her calm and comfortable, your cardiologist can discuss this with you further.

[Phoebe's human]

Thanks so much, Traci, for the prompt and thorough reply.

It was a house-calls vet yesterday who mentioned the "gallop" heart rhythm. She offered the name of a pet cardiologist and suggested I contact that person soon, especially if any other vet finds the same "gallop" rhythm.

Phoebe is going to a "regular" vet tomorrow (um, weather permitting) to see about an apparent mouth injury. She's getting a dental workup that I hope will help to reveal what's wrong with her mouth.

The preparation for that will probably give the vet a chance to listen to her heart. If not, I'll bring up the topic and see if he agrees about the "gallop" rhythm.

I agree that stress is terribly hard on kitties. Phoebe particularly. I hate to put her through the stress of the dental workup but I've been putting it off for all too long, and it looks as if it's high time it was done.

She has a very inflamed gum area in her upper front gumline. Either it's a bad tooth or she's had an injury. I'm hoping she'll be feeling better soon.

She's been on Buprenex for pain in the last couple of days but she's still not very comfortable.

[Traci]

Are you sure it isn't gingivitis? Plaque or tartar?

I would NOT put her under anesthesia for any dental procedures without FIRST getting her heart checked thoroughly, plus full bloodwork including thyroid panel.

A cursory exam should be helpful for the vet to determine if there is something obvious in the mouth that requires attention, but please, no anesthetic procedures unless and until the heart has been fully evaluated first.

[Phoebe's human]

They didn't find the "gallop" rhythm and so are assuming it was a fright reaction to the situation (the vet doing a house call and having to chase her around to get hold of her, etc.).

They don't do dental procedures at this vet's without a pre-anesthetic workup. Her bloodwork was all OK except that she's in the gray area for hyperthyroidism.

She had her teeth cleaned, and they found a badly infected tooth, which they took out. They looked into her ears and found a huge blob of wax that had actually perforated the eardrum. They cleaned that out, too, and she's fairly comfortable at home now with a supply of antibiotic and more painkiller.

I am SO glad her heart seems to be OK after all.

[Traci]

I'm glad too, but do keep an eye on it, meaning, twice yearly exams or more often if something unusual occurs (anorexia, strange or labored breathing, congestion, play or exercise intolerance, weight gain, etc).

You might want to redo the thyroid panel in a couple months (or sooner if the vet advised), particulary T4. At that time, I'd also suggest blood pressure check, the vet should take several readings at the same exam to get a median number.