Melanie's Blog What causes a heart murmur in cats? Heart murmurs are abnormal heart sounds that can be heard through a stethoscope. They are caused by turbulent blood flow within the heart or the major blood vessels.
Murmurs can be heard in both cats and dogs and can be a sign of a serious underlying heart problem. It is important to know the causes of heart murmurs in cats, as well as how to diagnose and treat them.
Types of Heart Murmurs in Cats
Heart murmurs can be classified as either systolic or diastolic. Systolic murmurs are heard during the contraction of the heart.
They are usually caused by a narrowing or obstruction of the heart valves. Diastolic murmurs are heard during the relaxation of the heart. They are usually caused by a leaky or incompetent heart valve.
What Causes of Heart Murmur in Cats
Congenital Heart Defects
There are several possible causes of heart murmurs in cats. The most common cause is a congenital heart defect. Congenital heart defects are abnormalities of the heart that are present at birth. They can cause a narrowing or obstruction of the heart valves, leading to a systolic murmur.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Another often-occurring cause of cardiac murmurs in cats is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In this disorder, the heart muscle thickens, obstructing the heart valves as a result. Systolic murmurs may result from this.
Infectious Diseases
Heart murmurs in cats can also be brought on by infectious disorders. Systolic murmurs can be caused by diseases including feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) and the feline leukemia virus (FeLV), which can inflame the heart valves.
Other Causes
Cats may also experience heart murmurs due to anemia, hyperthyroidism, or excessive blood pressure. A diastolic murmur can develop as a result of the turbulence these situations can generate in the blood flow.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Heart Murmurs in Cats
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of heart murmurs in cats is usually made by listening to the heart with a stethoscope. If a murmur is heard, further testing may be needed to determine the cause. This may include x-rays, ultrasounds, and blood tests.
Treatment
Treatment of heart murmurs in cats depends on the underlying cause. If the murmur is caused by a congenital defect, surgery may be needed to correct the defect. For other causes, such as anemia or hyperthyroidism, treatment may involve medications to correct the underlying condition.
Prevention of Heart Murmurs in Cats
The easiest approach to stop cats from developing heart murmurs is to get them examined by a vet on a regular basis. This will make it possible to identify and treat any underlying issues early before they have a chance to produce a heart murmur.
Additionally, it’s crucial to maintain cats’ vaccination records up to date because some viral disorders might result in cardiac murmurs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a heart murmur?
A heart murmur is an abnormal sound heard through a stethoscope. It is caused by turbulent blood flow within the heart or the major blood vessels.
How is a heart murmur diagnosed in Cats?
A heart murmur is usually diagnosed by listening to the heart with a stethoscope. Further testing, such as x-rays, ultrasound, and blood tests, may be needed to determine the cause.
How is a heart murmur treated in Cats?
Treatment of heart murmurs in cats depends on the underlying cause. If the murmur is caused by a congenital defect, surgery may be needed to correct the defect. For other causes, such as anemia or hyperthyroidism, treatment may involve medications to correct the underlying condition.
Conclusion
Heart murmurs are abnormal sounds heard through a stethoscope that can be a sign of a serious underlying heart problem. The most common causes of heart murmurs in cats are congenital heart defects, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, infectious diseases, anemia, hyperthyroidism, and high blood pressure.
Diagnosis of a heart murmur usually involves listening to the heart with a stethoscope, and further testing may be needed to determine the cause. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may involve surgery or medications.
The best way to prevent heart murmurs in cats is to have them checked regularly by a veterinarian and to keep them up to date on their vaccinations.
