Cat Heart Murmur: What It May Mean and How Imaging Can Help
4 Paws Imaging Centers provides advanced diagnostic imaging — including echocardiograms, ECGs, and Holter monitoring — to help your veterinarian understand what is happening with your pet’s heart. We do not provide primary or emergency treatment; our role is to deliver the diagnostic imaging your vet needs to guide your pet’s care.
What a Heart Murmur Can Mean
A heart murmur — an unusual sound heard during a physical exam — doesn't always mean there's a serious problem, but it does mean your veterinarian will likely want a closer look.
- A leaking or narrowed heart valve
- A congenital (present from birth) heart defect
- An enlarged heart chamber
- Age-related valve degeneration
- In some cases, a murmur with no underlying disease (innocent murmur)
How Cardiac Imaging Helps Diagnose This
An echocardiogram is the most direct way to see exactly what's causing a murmur and how significant it is.
- Echocardiogram to visualize valve structure and blood flow directly
- ECG to check for any related rhythm changes
- Grading of murmur severity and heart chamber size
What Happens Next
We provide a full report to your cat's veterinarian, who can explain the grade and type of murmur and whether ongoing monitoring or treatment is needed.
If your veterinarian has recommended imaging, or you would like to ask about scheduling, contact 4 Paws Imaging Centers at (630) 746-1382. We see patients by appointment only and work closely with your primary veterinarian to coordinate care.
