sammy
Junior Member
Posts: 59
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Post by sammy on Feb 10, 2008 8:32:32 GMT
This morning at 7am I woke up to Lilly wailing like i've never heard before. When I looked down she was lying on the carpet extremely limp, eyes wide open and not moving at all. It was awful At first I thought she was hurt and thats what it seemed to be, when I tried to pick her up she screamed. Then I realised she couldnt have broken anything as she went under the bed and wouldn't come out for a few minutes. She then came out and has acted normal ever since. Does anybody have any idea what could have happened? Everthing has crossed my mind, from her fighting with my other cat to eating something she shouldn't have. It was as though she was posessed.
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Post by susan on Feb 10, 2008 21:31:07 GMT
It might be an idea to have a vet look at her just incase she's had a seizure?.
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Post by fyona on Feb 11, 2008 9:56:59 GMT
Sorry I have no Idea, just the same as Susan. I hope she is feeling okay now.
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sammy
Junior Member
Posts: 59
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Post by sammy on Feb 11, 2008 20:20:18 GMT
We took her to the vet yesterday and he's certain she has a heart murmor we are devastated. She goes in on weds for sedation and tests and will more than likely be on medication for life. I haven't stopped crying for 2 days
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Post by fyona on Feb 11, 2008 21:48:33 GMT
Aww SammyI hope all goes well for Lilly on Wednesday, I will be thinking of you both.
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Post by Chris - Cats Protection on Feb 12, 2008 16:26:51 GMT
Sammy dont worry, a heat murmur is very common in cats, and most times cats with murmurs go on to live normal lives.
Talk to your Vet about it, tell him/her how upset you have been, he/she will understand and will explain heart murmurs to you and what precautions if any, you need to take.
It does sound as though she had a fit or the cat equivalent of a stroke, although a fit sounds more likely, as that would fit in with the squealing and the hiding beneath the bed.
You have done the right thing, its best that a Vet checks all this out for you.
Hope all goes well on Wednesday.
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sammy
Junior Member
Posts: 59
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Post by sammy on Feb 12, 2008 18:37:58 GMT
Thanks guys. That means a lot. The vet said it is more than likely that she fainted when she collapsed and this was her body tellin her to recover.Dreading 2moro, goin to be worried all day. Good job im teaching most of the day so my mind will be occupied slightly. I love her so much, I just feel heartly sorry for her x
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Post by susan on Feb 13, 2008 11:21:21 GMT
Sammy don't worry hun, like Chris said their quite common in cats. Weve got a few members on the site that have cats with murmers and their fine on their medication. See what the vets says and if it is a murmer i'll get some links for you to look at and help you understand it better Lots of healthy vibes coming over for Lilly, and keep us updated.
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sammy
Junior Member
Posts: 59
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Post by sammy on Feb 13, 2008 19:08:03 GMT
Thank you susan. Well, the vet has confirmed it is a murmor, had a look at x-rays. He says it is common for cats to have them but not as young as Lil (not even 2 yet) :-( shes back home safe and sound but very lethargic and still sedated poor thing. Has to go back in a month x
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Post by susan on Feb 13, 2008 22:24:08 GMT
Bless her, but still don't worry because if she has to have meds she'll be fine Has he given her any meds yet?
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Post by fyona on Feb 13, 2008 22:44:43 GMT
Sending a big hug to yourself and Tilly.
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sammy
Junior Member
Posts: 59
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Post by sammy on Feb 14, 2008 20:40:34 GMT
yes shes on meds.Lifelong situation now so we're working as a team (myself and fiance) and our technique is working so far thankfully. Vet says its in her favour that she is a house cat because she would struggle more outside - more strain on her heart. she is all cuddled up with me at the mo bless her cottons x
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Post by cheryl on Feb 15, 2008 1:35:57 GMT
Maggie and Tegan both had heart murmurs, grade 2 sistolic. and although they are both no longer with us their poorly hearts were not the cause of their young deaths. Maggies was diagnosed at 14 weeks Tegans at 9 weeks..I was quite shocked 2 cats unrelated with the same problem
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Post by susan on Feb 15, 2008 15:00:18 GMT
Sammy heres something i found on the site about it. If you want more information just let me know, but i know you'll be keeping in constant touch with your vet about it all *** A heart murmur occurs when there is turbulence to the normal flow of blood through the chambers of the heart, and is usually due to a problem in a heart valve. When a valve is thickened or damaged and unable to close fully, some of the blood escapes around the valve. Murmurs are usually seen in older cats but it is not uncommon to see them in a young kitties. In fact, many kittens are born with murmurs and outgrow them later in life. A lot of cats with murmurs live long healthy lives. There is a small risk that murmurs can lead to congestive heart failure. When older pets have a valve related murmur, the incomplete valve closure is often due to bacterial deposits on the valves. A very common source of this bacteria is dental disease, so it's important to keep your kitty's teeth and gums in good condition. A heart murmur can also be caused by severe anemia, although this is not as common as the heart valve murmur. Unless kitty is showing other signs of heart problems, e.g. a "cardiac cough," lethargy, poor appetite, or fluid in the lungs/heart area, it shouldn't be a cause of concern. If the heart murmur is caused by a cardiomyopathy (determined with chest x-ray and/or Electrocardiography (ECG) exams) it is important to see a cardiac specialist. The specialists will know the causes of the cardiomyopathy (Cats can be born with or develop three types of Cardiomyopathy: Dilated (DCM), Hypertrophic (HCM), and Idiopathic Cardiomyopathy. ) and how to help treat it. About CardioMyopathy: Several causes of CM have been identified. In older cats, thyroid disease (hyperthyroidism) can cause a variation of hypertrophic CM, and this is the most treatable cause. A deficiency of taurine, an essential amino acid, will cause dilated CM, although commercial cat foods are now supplemented with taurine so this does not occur as frequently as HCM. CM is also associated with an unidentified inflammatory process within the heart muscle. However, many cases of CM are Idiopathic (of unknown cause) and are not caused by any of these processes. There is some speculation that it is caused by renal failure and/or high blood pressure but to date, the medical establishment has no definitive answer for this question ***
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Post by Chris - Cats Protection on Feb 16, 2008 19:34:05 GMT
Excellent Susan, that explains it well.
And thank you too Cheryl, for pointing out the scale. This is highly relevant to the recovery or prognosis.
Tim at Tyne Vets can score a murmur simply by listening, he is brilliant ! And yes Susan, we do see it all the time in kittens, its more common than people think. We dont advise quiet lives for them as they are kittens, who will do what they want, when they want regardless, but I have yet to hear of a kitten homed with a murmur who has died as a result of it. So be positive Sammy.
Like human babies we see a condition referred to in humans, as hole in the heart, some cases are of course more severe than others and need constant Veterinary care, others seem to heal of their own accord with growth.
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