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- Dec 8, 2010
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Off we went to the vet today since he wanted to check out Hobbesâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s heart sounds before we head to the cardiologist in 2 weeks. He called another vet in his practice and they both heard the murmur and itâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s about a grade 2-3. Last time, when Hobbes went for his 1st visit and had bad URI, he thought it was a grade 3 – so itâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s about the same. But the more disturbing thing is that the dry hack that Hobbes has been having nearly daily, he is pretty sure it is not from hairball. Itâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s either heartworm or asthma or heart disease. Although Hobbes has a murmur, the vet does not think that he has what would he a severe enough heart disease to cause that type of coughing and because he is 8 months old. He feels that his breathing would have bee affected, if that was the issue. He drew blood to test for heartworm, but I just read up and it seems that the test is not definitive and there is also no treatment – which is disturbing to know. We will be doing the echocardiogram at the cardiologistâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s and that may give some additional insight. Things may be more complicated if this as asthma since the asthma meds are not good for cats with heart issues. So the doctor things that our only option may be an inhaler, which is not easy to administer. But he will have to talk to the cardiologist before he treats Hobbes for asthma, if thatâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s what he has. So unless he is heartworm positive, he will not be treated for anything else till the cardiologist sees him. This has not been a good day so far.
Would appreciate any insights, experience with anything similar.
Would appreciate any insights, experience with anything similar.