My turn again: Nina with heart murmur

[kk]

Nina seemed to be trying to vomit up a furball, and it took a little while, but just a little fluid and tiny bit of fur came out. What scared me was that she stumbled around afterwards, and I thought she was going to faint. She fell over on her side. I put my hands on her to steady her and check her breathing. She seemed dazed, but picked up in a few seconds and ran out of the room. She rested a bit and I kept checking on her, then she went downstairs and pooped on a cat bed (she never does this). Soooo, I called the vet and got her in right away. They are doing blood work and xray for now, and the vet detected a heart murmur. He recommended she see the cardiologist on the 20th for an ultrasound, which I'm sure we'll do. Hubby does not even know this happened yet! Anyway, I'm beside myself and would appreciate any comments or help that anyone may have. It really hit me when I got home and automatically started looking for her in her window bed in the sun. Thanks for listening..kk

[Auntie Debbie]

kk,
I'm sorry Nina has a murmer and is giving you cause for concern.

Here are some links on fainting and heart murmers. More links on Cardiaology can be found on my website

I hope your vet will be able to determine the the level of the murmer and if there's anything else going on. I also hope whatever is going on will be easily treated. I've got her in my thoughts and prayers to be okay!

Fainting

http://consumer.vetmedcenter.com/Consum ... =8744&dt=p

Heart Murmers


http://consumer.vetmedcenter.com/Consum ... 980099.htm

http://consumer.vetmedcenter.com/Consum ... =8480&dt=p

http://www.tica.org/vet/vet95.htm

http://www.tica.org/vet/vet185.htm

http://www.vetinfo.com/cmurmur.html

http://www.animalpetdoctor.homestead.com/Heart.html

[LisaLisa]

Hi kk,

I'm so sorry to hear about Nina. BTW, how old is she? Did you notice any change in her activity level over change in her behavior before this incident?

You defintely did the right thing by getting here into the vet right away. Do you know if the vet did thyroid function testing and an EKG?

Please take things one step at a time. I know it is easier said than done. Sometime heart murmurs can occur because of stress and may go away. My Smokey was diagnosed with a heart murmur in September 2003. I can relate to how frightening it is to you although my situation is different. I shed alot of tears because of the unknown and I don't want to jinx things, but at this time, he is stable. Smokey looks better now than he has in a long time...he runs around like he is a kitten...lol...During my high stress time with this, Traci, Jason and others were very supportive and informative. My vet also suggested his care which included further testing was transferred to a cardiologist until he was stabilized.

There is hope present, you caught it soon, and it sounds like you got a good vet team involved. Your doing everything you can. Please give her an extra kiss and hug from me...

Please keep us updated on how all goes...and any questions you have...

(((HUGS)))

[kk]

Thanks Debbie and Lisa for the info and the support. I was not really scared when I first heard about the murmur, since I know people can have them and be fine. Then I started running it all around in my head after looking on the 'net. To answer your questions, Lisa, no EKG was done. Nina is supposedly five. We got her two years ago from a shelter, and they said she was three. Her activity level is never super high..she is an only cat so does not have a playmate, but she will go into nutty mode here and there. She seems about the same as ever. Anyway, the vet just called and said her blood panels were fine (did CBC, liver, thyroid, renal), but heartworm not back yet. If I don't hear back, I can assume it's neg too. I'm going to get a copy of all her blood work for my files. I'll be hearing from them regarding setting up the appointment for the echocardiogram with the travelling cardiologist in a couple of weeks. I hate waiting that long, but if I get too impatient, I could probably take her to Tufts. She seems normal as ever. The only symptom was her falling over, which is a pretty big one, I guess. Oh, they graded the murmur as 3 out of 6. Thanks again for your support. kk

[LisaLisa]

Hi kk,

I was curious about Nina's age as Smokey was 7/8 years old when he was diagnosed he was asymptomatic up to that point and there was a change in his activity level when I looked back on things.

Tufts is a great option for diagnostics if you can't wait. Smokey's cardiologist is off I-84 and I'd be more than happy to give you his name too if you want to shlep down this way for Nina's work-up.


I'm glad to hear that the bloodwork is coming back negative. Also, for your file, please get a copy of the vet notes and all tests results echocardiogram for your files. Although Smokey's situation is different, I have a copy of everything in the event he needs to the ER.

Praying for the best with Nina....and you and Hubby.

Please keep us posted.

[kk]

Update:

Yesterday, I took Nina in to see the cardiologist. She still has the murmur, but it's inaudible when she's under anesthesia. The EKG showed sinus rhythm. Doc said no significant structural disease, and the blood flow was good. They suggested no treatment at this time, follow the murmur over time, and repeat the echo in a year if murmur persists. I'm relieved! Thanks for the help and support! kk

[LisaLisa]

YEAH NINA...Way to go girl!!!