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My cat has a heart murmur & cries. Is it treatable? What's the cost?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Female | unspayed | 6 lbs

My cat has a heart murmur. You can hear it if you hold your ear against her. It sounds like a washing machine. You can also feel it if you put your hands on her ribs. She has a litter of kittens five months ago and I don't know how old she is. I suspect about a year. I'd like to know if this is treatable and about how much medicine may cost. She also cries all the time. I thought she was in heat but she has been walking around howling for weeks.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Rebecca, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on September 7th, 2017

Bonus would need a cardiac exam including ultrasound to determine the cause of her heart murmur and possible prognosis or treatment. Heart murmurs can because by defects with in the heart itself, pulmonary hypertension, or patent ductus arteriosus among other things. In a cat there is no way to determine what is causing the murmur without doing imaging of the heart. Each potential cause may have a different treatment or prognosis. Cost for an exam and cardiac work up can vary by region and also individual veterinary clinic. There may also be a difference in fees based on whether the exam was performed by a general practitioner or a veterinary cardiologist. I would recommend starting with a local general practitioner veterinarian for physical exam and wellness assessment. From there they can make recommendations as to your next step or possible referral if recommended. I would strongly recommend trying to prevent her from becoming pregnant again until you know her heart condition, as pregnancy and labor can severely stress the heart. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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