Taking on cat with heart murmour?
Discussion
A local shelter are looking to rehome a pair of cats whom I'm interested in. Aged 5.5 years, one has a heart murmour. All my cats are insured and I'm pretty sure pre existing conditions are excluded, so am presuming the same would be true for this lady. Is there a company which accepts pre existing, or will I be stuck with any costs going forward.
Also, what if any are the likely problems with a heart murmour?
Nina
Also, what if any are the likely problems with a heart murmour?
Nina
Heart murmur might be nothing to worry about, might be the beginning of a condition that will require lifelong medication and shorten the cats life. Only way to find out is to get some diagnostics done, ultrasound scan of the cats heart would give you the most infomation.
Don't know of any insurance company that would cover a pre-existing condition, guess if a scan was done and showed nothing to be concerned about, you might be able to get cover after a couple of years.
Don't know of any insurance company that would cover a pre-existing condition, guess if a scan was done and showed nothing to be concerned about, you might be able to get cover after a couple of years.
Our cat has had a heart murmur for years, she use to have tablets that cost about £200+ a year. However after some research and additional advice we stopped them, and she's not changed at all. Just as happy and active.
We had insurance with M&S befor wit was spotted, was fine at first, but each year creeped up until the increase covered the cost of the tablets, shocker!
We had insurance with M&S befor wit was spotted, was fine at first, but each year creeped up until the increase covered the cost of the tablets, shocker!
My folks' previous cat, a Persian, was diagnosed with a heart murmur about 4 or 5 months old. The vet said he would be unlikely to see his first birthday. Dear old Smeagol lived to almost 17. I wouldn't let it put me off - he certainly didn't let it bother him.
As a young chap:
Miss you buddy, one hell of an innings tho
As a young chap:
Miss you buddy, one hell of an innings tho
K77 CTR said:
My 6.5 yr old cat has been diagnosed with a murmur today 
now awaiting the referral to have an echo, ECG and bloods. I'm hoping he doesn't need medication as he's a handful with tablets.
We have to wrap scraggies tablets in cooked turkey as a "treat" before breakfast and dinner. You'll find a way if you need to. now awaiting the referral to have an echo, ECG and bloods. I'm hoping he doesn't need medication as he's a handful with tablets. K77 CTR said:
My 6.5 yr old cat has been diagnosed with a murmur today now awaiting the referral to have an echo, ECG and bloods. I'm hoping he doesn't need medication as he's a handful with tablets.
I hope it's not too bad. Early pick up can mean a better response to tx if it is needed. Still not nice to have to think your friend may have a heart problem though. now awaiting the referral to have an echo, ECG and bloods. I'm hoping he doesn't need medication as he's a handful with tablets. OP The level of murmur will be significant for you as this will give you some idea of what you may be taking on and if you could cope with it or not.
We picked up a rescue cat at 3 weeks old. We took her to the vet the following day and was told she had a heart that "sounded like a washing machine" and that she should be put down as she would only have a few weeks. She had the most severe type of murmur as well as malformation of the heart.
We thought we would give her the benefit of the doubt and took her home and kept a close eye on her as we hadn't noticed nothing abnormal in the few days we had her
First few weeks were terrible as we were watching her every move.
2.5years later and you wouldn't know she was anything but a healthy normal cat. She does go for regular cardio check ups every 6 months that cost around £1k and she has been on tablets for all her life but she is gradually coming off them.
She s been out all day climbing fences and annoying the neighbours dogs. I would do the same again and take her on in a heartbeat. Somehow she seems to know that we're doing everything we can for her and she s the most appreciative little thing
This is Leah aka mrs Leah
http://www.flickr.com/photos/93195153@N00/79116938...
We thought we would give her the benefit of the doubt and took her home and kept a close eye on her as we hadn't noticed nothing abnormal in the few days we had her
First few weeks were terrible as we were watching her every move.
2.5years later and you wouldn't know she was anything but a healthy normal cat. She does go for regular cardio check ups every 6 months that cost around £1k and she has been on tablets for all her life but she is gradually coming off them.
She s been out all day climbing fences and annoying the neighbours dogs. I would do the same again and take her on in a heartbeat. Somehow she seems to know that we're doing everything we can for her and she s the most appreciative little thing
This is Leah aka mrs Leah
http://www.flickr.com/photos/93195153@N00/79116938...
ali_kat said:
K77 CTR said:
My 6.5 yr old cat has been diagnosed with a murmur today now awaiting the referral to have an echo, ECG and bloods. I'm hoping he doesn't need medication as he's a handful with tablets.
now awaiting the referral to have an echo, ECG and bloods. I'm hoping he doesn't need medication as he's a handful with tablets. Pâté, Dairylea & hamSneak a tablet into a piece of diced leg steak - job jobbed.
straightsixmik said:
You do get in a knack of giving the tablets. Leah has one set an hour before food and a set with food twice a day. I either drop them on her tongue with her head back or use lidl/aldi cat sticks - they are the only ones she ll eat the other ones are too dry. Fussy beggar
I'm really hoping I don't have to go down the medication route as I work shifts and am out the door at 5 in the morning, getting tablets into him before food and twice a day is going to be impossible 
If they do an ultrasound (which I would expect) then yes they will, they will be reasonable size clips on the chest (though not sure if that will be both sides or just one side). If it's just an ecg then poss not (if they do they will be small clips on the extremities)
I would hope they'll do both, some ultrasound machines will do ecg's as well (I realise you may know that already)
I hope it goes ok and isn't too bad.
I would hope they'll do both, some ultrasound machines will do ecg's as well (I realise you may know that already)
I hope it goes ok and isn't too bad.
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