Some good news for Fuzzy, guys! :)

[Zola]

I posted to the board because Fuzzy, our newest adoptee, had a pretty severe heart murmur. We started him on an aspirin regime and started saving our pennies to get him to a feline cardiologist.

Well, he had a follow-up visit to the vet today, and the murmur is gone! The vet is just as delighted as we are! He suspects that he had an infected heart valve, which, considering that the poor thing had been living outside without proper nourishment for months until we finally coaxed him in, is really no great surprise.

He's like a different cat! He was petrified on his first few vet visits, today, he was purring so loudly that the vet sprinkled a few drops of cold water on his nose to get him to stop so he could listen to his heart!

We'll keep a good eye on him now knowing he may be prone to heart problems later on, but it looks like we'll have our delightful friend with us for a good long time!

A few people donated a little bit of money to help send him to the cardiologist. Since he's okay now, I'll be donating the money received to the local no-kill shelter. Thanks so much!

I got a bunch of pictures of the pride, later on I will try to scan them and post them to Debbie's board.

[Spez]

I love a story with a happy-ending!

[Traci]

Great news, Zola, sounds like he is a figher. How old is he? I'm curious about the aspirin therapy, did your vet first feel his heart was congested or enlarged (low cardiac output)? Usually won't initiate aspirin therapy unless there is a potential for saddle thrombus (clot) or poor blood flow.

In any event, this is really great news

[Zola]

We think he's 4 or 5. Siince he is at least half Maine Coon, the vet thought it might be a congenital defect ( a thickening of the heart wall, I think it was) so the idea was to thin his blood a bit so his heart didn't have to work so hard.

He definitely has the Coon temperament, he's a great companion. He "helps" with everything, I can't fold a basket of laundry without a Fuzzy hanging off a pant leg, LOL! Sometimes I wonder if he's even a little younger due to his playfulness, but from what I have heard, Coons stay kittenish well into old age.

We'll definitely keep an eye on him, though, just in case.

[Traci]

Thanks for elaborating on that, good to know. Yes, Maine Coons do seem to be predisposed to cardiomyopathies (or congestive heart failure), but that doesn't mean Fuzzy will develop it, at least you are prepared, but let's have faith he won't.

They are exceptional cats, and you're right, they maintain their personalities well into adulthood, never failing to surprise you when you least expect

[Cleo]

I was born with a murmur and have a deteriorated heart valve. I still suffer with symptoms despite medication and all. As a full grown adult I can tell you it's aggrevating to the point of despair. I can't imagine what it feels like to have it happen in a tiny kitty body.

Way to go Fuzzy! May all your beats be on time and the only skip about you is in your playful step!!

Cleo,
Keeks & Molly