Heart murmur and couging in a Cat

Question
I recently adopted a domestic male short hair.  His age was estimated at about 5 years old.  When I first got him I took him to the vet who told me he had a grade three heart murmur.  He recommended a aspirin regime, which I placed him on.  I had only had him a couple weeks then so I hadn't seen any other symptoms.  I have now had him over three months and have noticed him coughing occasionally, maybe once every 2-3 days. He doesn't wheeze, open mouth breath, or have trouble moving.  He appears to feel fine and is as social and loving as ever.  Are the coughing and the heart murmur related?  He is due for shots in Oct, should I be rushing him into the vet before then?

Answer
Hi Daniella- How nice of you to adopt this cat boy!  Don't worry, this problem is common and with the proper care he can live a long time!

Yes, the cough is related to the heart and possible fluid around the heart. If the cough gets worse and chronic he will need a fluid pill to reduce this excess pressure around the heart and valves.  Sometimes it is called CHF.  This will not develop until he is older around 10 or more.

Here are my suggestions for you:  Continue with the baby aspirin program offered by your vet.  Good idea.
Next, make sure you are giving him some vitamin E each day (50IU) give just 1 per day. Pop the capsule open with a pin and place the liquid onto his food, and mix well.
Excellent for his heart health.

also, a great Feline supplement is NuVET Feline / this will keep his immune system strong and helps to strengthen the heart muscle.
Thousands of cats and kittens are on NuVET supplements...
Call and order some today : they sell a 30 count at only about 20.00
This will cover your boy for the 30 days.
1-800-474-7044  ( please use vet code 81098 for ordering) NOT sold in stores/
http://www.apluspetcare.com/untitled4.html


Let me know how your baby is doing in a month... Also, when you get the shots make sure you give a small dosage of beady 1 hr prior to the shots.  Helps to combat any adverse reactions from the shots.
It would be 1-2 mg per pound.
10 pound cat could have 10-20 mg of Benadryl...
OK


BEST wishes
Marie Peppers
Pet Chef and Nutritional Expert
All Experts/ Ask a VET