Heart Mumur & Diabetes - related?

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MURPHYSMOM

MURPHYSMOM

Member Since 2014
Murphy has and is going through so much since just before his diagnosis. Although I am getting better at the glucose testing thanks to all of your advice and God, I am still terribly worried about his health.
Last year it was a UTI and then terrible allergies.
Then the new cat, in December which may or may not be a good companion for him.
Lately he is really going after her. I don't know if its him trying to be dominant, which is ok with me as she tried that for a few months after she came into our home or
is it the Diabetes making him
crazy?
In May, the Steroid shot for the allergies which may have pushed him into the diabetic state. I am really very angry at the doc who did that and did not tell
me the possible consequences.
Last month, the Diabetes was confirmed and he has had testing from nose to tail, with a trip just the other night to the ER as his poop was green.
The ER vet detected a heart murmur and now the cat Clinic wants to do a heart ultrasound.
Could it be a result of the diabetes, insulin change or what? It wasn't there when the cat clinic did their initial testing a couple weeks ago.
I just want to get him into a calm routine of shots, glucose testing a good diet, good readings and great health.
I don't know when all this madness will calm down.
Any ideas?
 
I do not think so. I think it is just due to normal aging, not diabetes. Most of my older cats have a murmer irregardless of of having diabetes.
 
Just about every cat I have ever owned has had a heart murmur. Most of them have only had a level 1 murmur, the lowest leverl, something to monitor at their yearly checkups but no need to have an ultrasound done unless you really, really want to spend that money.

I did have one kitty with more severe heart problems. We did end up having an ultrasound and an echocardiogram done on her because of the severity of her murmur and other issues.

Really, if it's only a level one murmur, I would not spend the money.
 
Thanks Deb & Wink! I will go thru my paperwork and even call the clinic to see if they can tell me what level it is. The cat clinic also had mentioned a couple weeks ago ,that his heart was rounded and they did give me heartworm pills which of course he hates,. I don't want to put him thru something he really might not need,
 
ok, I just called and the er is rating it a grade II out of VI. Couldn't they have put that in English? Still not sure if that means I should do the test. Its not a 1, but its also not a 5!!
 
hi Donna,

Has Murphy been tested for thyroid problems? If not I would get them to check that first. Lianna was a grade 3 and now she's borderline grade 4. She was tested in April 07 when she first had the murmur and no damage to her heart showed up but 6 months later she was re tested and it showed she had HCM. If Murphy was grade 3 I'd say definitely test but I don't know enough to advise on a grade 2. If it does turn out to be HCM, Lianna is on Fortekor (Benazepril) and fingers crossed it has kept her more or less stable. Good luck to you and gorgeous Murphy.

Hope the pic turned out ok, going back to bed now as its 5am here and only awake after doing Angel's +4.30 test.

xx
 
Hi Cassandra!
Yes, I finally got the pic up and thank you so very much for your help with that!
Murphy's thyroid was normal in June, so I am not quite sue what to do.
I am definitely going to ask them either to retest that or double check for the murmur prior to shaving him more and doing the ultrasound.
I am waiting for a call back from the doc.....which just happened in the last few minutes.
His heart is rounded which could be cardio myopathy so they still want to do the test.
sigh.
Back to work, but wishing I could nap. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
 
Hi Donna,

Wish I knew what to say. Although grade 2 isn't high, with the heart being rounded it may be safer to do the test. Having said that, when Lianna was first tested they could not see any damage to the heart but said it was definitely hcm as everyting else had been ruled out. She was started on the meds immediately. When she was tested about 8 months later she was showing signs of HCM. On Monday, Angel goes for his assessment at the rvc which is basically the best vet training centre in uk, if you like I could ask the people there what they would recommend? If it was me I would make sure everything else had been ruled out and if they're sure it's hcm get them to test him. Depending on whether there are signs it might make a difference to the dose of meds. But if you can wait until Monday I will definitely ask for you.

Is the pic ok, do you want more of Murphy's face or is it fine as it is?

x
 
I went through that last July and steroids were also the culprit. My cat was diagnosed then with a grade 2/6 murmur and Restrictive Cardiomyopathy. While the diabetes went into remission the heart problem caused Congestive Heart Failure. We have recently had a relapse of the diabetes from what may be chronic pancreatitis. The heart issue has been the biggest issue since Sept 2011 but with the treatment he is showing significant improvement. I don't know if the steroid induced diabetes caused the RCM or if it was a concurrent issue that had gone undiagnosed.

I will tell you that your cat should NOT received any more steroids especially with a murmur. Steroids of any sort at this stage can prompt an event of congestive heart failure. I would encourage you to see a cardiologist for an echo and treatment of the heart issue. I think you should also begin to give a fish oil supplement and CoQ10 as these supplements are beneficial to heart kitties. Just to let you know the standard treatment for heart murmurs is: Lasix, Atenolol, and Benazapril. However, Squeaker's cardiologist put him on a stronger, compounded diuretic called Torsemide rather than Lasix and Pimobendan 1.25 mg. The combination of those 2 drugs have really made a difference. There is a group for feline heart disease that you might like to join.

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/feline-heart/info

Let me know if I can lend moral support as this is a road I am also traveling. I also have a source for Pimobendan that is much less expensive than a vet will charge if you end up using that medication.

Anita and Squeaker
 
Thank you Cassandra! The picture is perfect. I always loved to se Murphy lying with his paws outstretched. He looks like a sphinx!!!
You were so kind to do that for me!

Anita,
Love the name Squeaker.
Good to know I am in same company and will review this info w/vet.
They are doing the ultrasound tomorrow morning and will be sending all to a cardiologist. I don't know whether they are a reg human cardio or vet cardio.
I just hope they don't have to sedate him.
He seems to be adjusting to eating two meals a day and his stomach seems to be better (see my other message - Green Poop & a visit to the er) and hopefully all will be well when I get home.
Thank you so much for the info.

Donna
 
Donna, I'm glad you like the way the pic turned out, he's a sweetie.
I think you're doing the right thing getting the test done.

Anita and Squeaker, I'm on Feline Heart, (because of Lianna), I started off reading all the posts and getting really involved and it was just breaking my heart to do so because at that time so many cats were doing badly. So I'm kind of inactive. My friends call Angel Squeaky or Squeaker because he squeaks sometimes!!! x
 
I am sorry to say I am glad to be taking Murphy to the doc tomorrow cuz now I think he is peeing outside the litter box. Again, see my other message about the green poop if you like. Two nights ago I found a large pool of clear liquid in the living room that really didn't have any odor, but it was close to where a large pool of urp as I call it, mostly yellow food colored liquid and some food were earlier. I was guessing it was Murphys. Could he have tossed up water or maybe it was urine. Last night I tore apart the bed and the box spring and mattress are now upright as apparently when he had the green slime/poop, he used the material that was hanging down from the box spring. It s ruined and my bedroom smelled awful until I ripped off all of the material, used Clorox wipes and Woolite carpet cleaner. It does smell a bit today, but not like yesterday. It was a nasty job, but I stayed calm knowing he wasn't feeling well. Tonight I just got home and found another clear pool of water which did smell like urine in the hall on the floor. thank goodness he used the floor boht times, but it didn't occur to me until too late to test the urine for keytones. not sure that would have worked. anyway I am pretty sure it was him, but maybe the other cat...there has really not been much in the way of poop or muddy urine in the litter boxes the past two days. I will try to test his sugar tonight. I am down to only three test strips until an order comes in during the week.
Is this all part of the diabetes? urinating outside the box? Its so not like him. There seems to be one complication or another. I am calm probably cuz I am so exhausted, but feel like I am going nuts. What is happening to him? On the upside, his behind looked better last night, but if he is not pooping or peeing, that cant be good. He is eating just the dm dry/canned & a tad of reg ff which I know us bad, but want him to eat so I can give him his insulin. he might have peed both times cuz I was out late. today I rushed home, gave him his insulin, tossed down a plate of food and left. The other night I was in late due to a family wake. How can I go anywhere? I am so distraught about how he is doing. Any suggestions?
 
hi Donna,

Hopefully the vet will be able to work out what is going on with Murphy. It may be stress but green poo...never heard of that! All this is new to us and no wonder we feel overwhelmed sometimes, that's because we love them and want to do the best. With having 2 cats, it might be an idea to get 2 litter boxes, it could be a territorial thing.

I don't know about PZI, but with the caninsulin if once in a while you are up to 3 hours late with the shot it's ok. I've actually had to delay Angel's shot a couple of times over the last few days coz he's been below 200.

Whilst he's at the vets, if you are able, try to relax and pamper yourself. I do know how you feel about worrying when you go out, not just with Angel, but Lianna is (I think) going more blind and needs a lot of encouragement. Cera's deafness doesn't seem to affect her but she's 17 so I worry about all 3 of them. Still, this is what I signed on for when they were kittens, bit like marriage 'in sickness and in health'!!!

x
 
Yes, peeing outside the litter box does happen with our unregulated diabetic cats. They drink so much water, that sometimes the need to pee comes on them before they can make it to the litter box in time. You might consider adding another litter box, so there's more than one for Murphy to go to in his time of need.

As you start to get those BG levels under control, the excess peeing improves greatly.
 
Well as usual, Mom was quite overwhelmed maybe a bit more so than Murphy before the vet, at the vet and after the vet.
First at midnight, I almost stepped in a big pile of green slime. It was kind of hovering there on top of the carpet and came up rather easily, but no one still knows what it was from. The cat clinic said it was still coming today and thought he might be passing it passed an obstruction, so they asked and I sad yes to another xray of the colon plus a redo of blood work which showed liver enzymes higher as well as his calcium levels. They said his liver looked inflamed and strangely shaped, but may be out of whack due to the uncontrolled diabetes. They gave him sqf as he seemed dehydrated and shots for nausea, the diarrhea and his allergies as his eyelids were also inflamed due to the allergies. I will have to watch for a bm (lets hope for a good one) and bring it in so they can test it. The doc also mentioned his teeth as a couple were broken so they gave him a shot for pain and of course recommended a procedure, but not now. The doc will call me tomorrow as she had to tend to an emergency and I only got 5 minutes with her with full results of the cardio later this week. I was so very upset as I love Murphy and was scared for all he went thru and also the fact that in just a few weeks, I am sure I have put one of their staff on a cruise around the world with what I have paid out. But I did agree to the shots, the retesting, right? What was I going to do say no, don't give him the shots and let him suffer? I just wish they could have figured out what the green slime was from. They asked me if I was sure it was the food and I am like you are the experts. He was acting kind of restless when we got home for awhile , but they said that would happen after anesthesia sometimes. He has been eating and drinking and rolling around even with a storm going on and calling out a lot (unlike him) and staying nearby, but he has yet to use the litter box. Even though there is still a slight odor in the bedroom after his slime adventures, I put the bed back together and may need a whole new box spring and mattress soon. Oh how I want him to be ok! Get the diabetes under control and his tummy better and his allergies better. This is just so much in such a short time for both of us.

My Bosco that passed away at just over 19 was deaf in the last couple years and it was hard to see him or I should say hear him meow so much I think just cuz he wanted to hear himself. The doc sad he also had dementia. My aunt had a cat, Jessie that went blind, but got around very well. It seems they can adapt better than we can to something's.
 
I already do have two litter boxes, it just seems like we went from muddy messes in both due the diabetes to really not much of anything. the urine could have been from the female cat as she was hovering around the 1st spot. the slime however was right in my bedroom doorway. I think Murphy was saying hey in case you haven't noticed, I don't feel good. He is still crying a bit here and there, but I don't know if he just checking to see I am still here or if something is wrong like he want s to pee or poop and cant. He wont go to the boxes. I will mentioned to the doc when she calls tomorrow. I hope she will they said she would even with it being a sunday cuz we only had five minutes together and I had/have loads of questions.
 
hi Donna,

Hope you hear from the vet today and they've figured something out. My cat Cera is 17 and went almost completely deaf suddenly last year, she copes amazingly well. My 18 year old Lianna is partially blind now and arthritic but a real diva. Cats are so amazing, after all the pokes and jabs, Angel still loves me and snuggles and purrs...he's sitting at my feet now so I'm going to give him a cuddle on the sofa.

Hopefully Murphy will use the trays once he's recovered from his vet visit, am keeping my fingers crossed that cardio results are good. x
 
Well I hope and pray all is well and will be well. Murphy kept crying out intermittently until about 2am when he finally settled down. I wasn't sure if he was in pain or wanted to use a box but was afraid to, so I moved it into the bathroom and he used it. I was so excited. so far, no green anything. I am hoping this was a virus that has literally passed, although now I seem to have some stomach bug. going for my cardio stress test tomorrow that I had cancelled for the 2nd when I had a stomach bug. Here to Imodium doing its job. I also have had a mild sore throat since fri after swallowing some pool water thurs night.
The vet did call today to check on Murphy and I told her about the crying and she was like yes we should have told you that could happen. with all they had done yesterday they also gave him anti anxiety meds. He is rather quiet today which I am hoping is a good thing. He did eat and I had to give him a rather nasty tasting pill disguised in a clear capsule for his allergies. I hope it works and he will be well. The other doc will call sometime tomorrow with the rest of the results.

our babies, huh!!
 
MURPHYSMOM said:
Well I hope and pray all is well and will be well. Murphy kept crying out intermittently until about 2am when he finally settled down. I wasn't sure if he was in pain or wanted to use a box but was afraid to, so I moved it into the bathroom and he used it. I was so excited. so far, no green anything. I am hoping this was a virus that has literally passed, although now I seem to have some stomach bug. going for my cardio stress test tomorrow that I had cancelled for the 2nd when I had a stomach bug. Here to Imodium doing its job. I also have had a mild sore throat since fri after swallowing some pool water thurs night.
The vet did call today to check on Murphy and I told her about the crying and she was like yes we should have told you that could happen. with all they had done yesterday they also gave him anti anxiety meds. He is rather quiet today which I am hoping is a good thing. He did eat and I had to give him a rather nasty tasting pill disguised in a clear capsule for his allergies. I hope it works and he will be well. The other doc will call sometime tomorrow with the rest of the results.

our babies, huh!!
Click to expand...
We had our newly diabetic kitty back in yesterday as he was showing signs of hypoglycemia despite having >500 glucose reading. The vet said he now has a significant heart murmur which was not there on March 10th. She said the blood can become almost like a syrup consistence due to the high level of sugar in the blood, leading to a heart murmur.
 
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