Good afternoon everyone.


As I am very new on this forums, and new as a bengal owner (or slave) I would like to say hi to everyone and thank you for posting all amazing tips and stories here as I was reading a lot for a past few months.


So, I got a bengal girl (Nuri) 6 weeks ago. She wasnt vaccinated nor microchiped at that time, but as I fell in love with her straight away, I agreed with the breeder that I will vaccinate her myself.
When I took her to the vet for her 1st vaccine (she was 3 months old), Dr told me that she has a grade 3 heart murmur. I was shocked and upset. Started to read a lot about it and found out that she might grow out of it. So I was hoping that by the time I take her for the 2nd vaccine my baby wont have murmur anymore. Unfortunately, the vet heard the murmur again(she is now 4 month old). He said she will probably wont grow out of it as its grade 3 and he thinks it could be that one of her hearts valve is not closing property so the blood is running from ventricle back to atrium. Well he wasnt sure as she is tiny and needs an further tests to be done when she is older.


I was wondering if anyone could share their stories or knowledge. Is there anything I can help my baby kitten with? When shall I take her for ultrasound? how much does it cost (I have an insurance, but it does not cover any heart related procedures as she was insured after her 1st visit to the vet).


Thank you

Indre

Yes, she needs an "ultrasound" to diagnose the problem.
Your vet will refer you to a cardiologist.

As Elaine has said yes get a referral via your vet. Normally if only a grade 1 there is no need as they can grow out and also even if they scanned there probably wouldn't be any treatment needed really. So often these low grades are left alone.

With the ultrasound you will get the correct grading and checked for any heart defects and be able to progress from there will an action plan if needed, it might just be that she needs regular screens every year, or just kept an eye on at the vets at check up time.

So my baby girl is 8 months old now, she got spayed 3 days ago (everything went well), but her heart murmur did not disappear and the vet is suggesting to pay a visit to cardiologist. The vet said the whole thing (scan, consultation, etc.) will cost me something in between £500-£1000.
The vet also said it can be related to a valve that cannot close properly and thus allows blood to leak backwards into the atrium...

Could you kindly share your stories, recommend a cardiologist in London or Essex?

Thank you