Finding out that your cat has a heart murmur can be concerning, but being supported by a skilled vet can be the difference. Knowing what a heart murmur is and how it’s treated is reassuring and enables you to get the best for your cat’s health.
A heart murmur is a strange noise your veterinarian can hear when he or she listens to your cat’s heart, an indicator that blood flow might not be as smooth as it can or should be. Not every murmur means something serious, but it’s always a good idea to find out what’s causing it.
Here, we’ll guide you through what a heart murmur is, what might cause it, and how vets look after cats with these conditions to keep them happy and healthy.
What is a Heart Murmur?
When your vet listens to your cat’s heart, they expect to hear a steady, regular beat, the sound of the heart valves opening and closing as blood moves through. A heart murmur is an unusual sound your vet might hear, kind of like a gentle rush or swirl when blood isn’t flowing as smoothly as it should inside the heart.
Murmurs are graded according to how loud they are, from extremely soft to very loud. Some murmurs are not anything to worry about, but others may indicate there is something underlying that should be investigated.
According to the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA), heart murmurs in cats are frequently found on the course of normal check-ups, which emphasises the value of frequent visits to the vet even when your cat appears healthy.
What Causes a Heart Murmur?
Heart murmurs can develop for a variety of reasons, many of which affect how the blood moves through the heart. Some common causes in cats include:
- Hyperthyroidism: When your cat’s thyroid produces too much hormone, it can put extra strain on the heart,
- High blood pressure: This can change how blood flows through the heart and vessels,
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM): Thickening of the heart muscle that affects heart function,
- Abnormal heart valves or structural defects: Which disrupt normal blood flow,
- Blood clots in the heart,
- Heartworm disease: Though uncommon in cats, it can impact the heart,
- Anemia or dehydration: These conditions can also cause murmurs by changing blood flow.
According to Sydney University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital that the most frequent cardiac disease associated with murmur in cats is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), which usually needs extensive diagnostic workup to treat.
Centenary Vets frequently emphasises that early detection of these causes can make a big difference in your cat’s health results.
What Are the Signs of a Heart Condition?
Some cats with heart murmurs don’t show any obvious signs, which is why regular vet visits are so important. But if your cat does have a heart condition, you might notice:
- Breathing that’s faster than usual or sounds noisy,
- Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss,
- Feeling tired or weak,
- Collapse or fainting episodes.
If your cat is struggling to breathe, panting, or has pale or blue gums or tongue, these are emergencies. Seek veterinary care immediately.
What Diagnostic Tests Might Be Recommended?
To figure out what’s going on, your vet might recommend:
- Blood tests to check thyroid levels and screen for heartworms,
- Chest x-rays to see the heart, lungs, and blood vessels,
- An electrocardiogram (ECG) to check heart rhythm,
- An echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) to get a clear picture of heart structure and function,
- Blood pressure monitoring.
These tests help your vet understand your cat’s heart health and decide on the best way forward.
Centenary Vets offers comprehensive diagnostic services that include ultrasounds and blood tests to ensure accurate diagnosis and effective treatment planning.
How Are Heart Murmurs Treated?
Treatment varies based on what is causing the murmur and the overall health of your cat. If your cat is otherwise healthy, your veterinarian might just monitor the murmur.
At other times, curing diseases such as hyperthyroidism or dehydration will eliminate the murmur.
Some heart defects must be surgically repaired, but other conditions are treated with medication to keep your cat in its best shape.
Cardiomyopathy in Cats
Cardiomyopathy, a disease that affects the heart muscle, is the most common reason for heart murmurs in cats. The main types include:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM): Thickening of the heart muscle and the most common form in cats,
- Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM),
- Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC),
- Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).
HCM tends to appear in middle-aged cats and is more common in males. This disease can lead to heart failure or irregular heartbeats.
Can Cardiomyopathy Be Treated?
If the cause of cardiomyopathy is something like an overactive thyroid, treating it might reverse the problem. But often, the cause can’t be fixed. In these cases, early diagnosis and medications can slow the progression and help your cat live a better quality of life.
Treatment may involve:
- Managing your cat’s activity levels,
- Medications to reduce fluid build-up in the lungs,
- Drugs to strengthen the heart muscle,
- Medicines to control abnormal heart rhythms.
Because cats with cardiomyopathy can develop dangerous blood clots, your vet might prescribe blood thinners like Clopidogrel to reduce this risk.
Ongoing Monitoring and When to Seek Help
Looking after a cat with a heart murmur or heart disease means regular check-ups to keep track of their health. Your vet will recommend:
- Cardiac ultrasounds every 6 to 12 months,
- Blood tests, especially if your cat is on medication,
- Chest x-rays to monitor heart and lung condition,
- Regular blood pressure checks.
These visits ensure treatment stays on track and adjustments can be made if your cat’s condition changes.
Centenary Vets emphasises the importance of ongoing monitoring to manage your cat’s condition effectively and maintain their quality of life.
Commitment 2 Care Plans are designed to make preventative pet healthcare more accessible by bundling regular check-ups, ongoing diagnostic monitoring, and discounted medications.
These plans help ensure your pet receives consistent, high-quality care without unexpected costs, and you’ll often see the same vet at each visit for continuity and peace of mind.
Supporting Your Cat’s Heart Health Every Step of the Way
Caring for a cat with a heart murmur or cardiac disease can feel overwhelming at first, but with the right support and regular vet care, many cats live happy, comfortable lives.
Understanding the signs, getting timely diagnostics, and following your vet’s advice can make all the difference.
At Centenary Vets, we’re here to guide you through every step of your cat’s heart health journey, because they deserve the very best care every day.
Remember, keeping a close eye on their health and reaching out early if anything changes is the key to helping your feline friend enjoy a full and vibrant life.
