My kitten pants when he runs around and plays energetically.
This makes me nervous...My vet said that it is not necessarily an indication of a health/ heart problem. Without extensive testing, there's no way to be sure.
It is summer, so it's on the warm side, but I wonder if it is common for Ragdolls to do this. He only pants when playing--jumping and running around.
Does your kitten or cat pant??
Folks report panting after vigorous exercise with toys like da bird. However, as you recognize, it can be the sign of a problem and a vet visit can be appropriate. A key issue is how much exercise it takes and how fast the cat recovers. You can monitor some things. A cat's respirations at rest should be around 30 per minute. If you press on the gums, they will whiten. They should then quickly pink up again when you release the pressure.
A scan is expensive. However, a board certified cardiologist can check a number of things in an exam, including listening to the heart.
Did your own vet listen to his heart, did he mention hearing either a murmur or a gallop? You could check with your breeder to see if the parents were tested for HCM just in case and then you will have that info. to share with your vet or a cardiologist if that is necessary. Neither Dexter nor Katie pant when they play and they do play hard, our little Gracie did on occasion so I think that you are smart to continue to monitor this. Hopefully, it's just Valentino's way.
The vet said his heart sounded completely normal. He does recover quickly. I sure hope he is completely healthy and that like you say, it's just his way! And thanks for the tips, JanH.
(08-03-2010 06:16 PM)GeoVal Wrote: [ -> ]The vet said his heart sounded completely normal. He does recover quickly. I sure hope he is completely healthy and that like you say, it's just his way! And thanks for the tips, JanH.
That's good to hear! Gracie panted but they noted a grade 1 murmur from the getgo.
Bitsen used to pant while playing hard. He does not do it anymore. The vet listened to him and did a chest x-ray, and diagnosed him with exercise-induced asthma. He hasn't had problems in a while.
My "angel" Madison had HCM, but really never had alot of symptoms. He did start to fatigue faster with exercise. His vet never "heard" a murmur, but I could hear the murmur (grade IV) with my bare ears. He was put on meds by a kitty-kat cardiologist. Madison lived for 20 years.
(08-03-2010 08:22 PM)JaneC Wrote: [ -> ]My "angel" Madison had HCM, but really never had alot of symptoms. He did start to fatigue faster with exercise. His vet never "heard" a murmur, but I could hear the murmur (grade IV) with my bare ears. He was put on meds by a kitty-kat cardiologist. Madison lived for 20 years.
That's wonderful to hear that Madison had a long happy life even with HCM! Our little Gracie only made it to 6 months and it was heartbreaking.
(08-03-2010 04:52 PM)GeoVal Wrote: [ -> ]My kitten pants when he runs around and plays energetically.
This makes me nervous...My vet said that it is not necessarily an indication of a health/ heart problem. Without extensive testing, there's no way to be sure.
It is summer, so it's on the warm side, but I wonder if it is common for Ragdolls to do this. He only pants when playing--jumping and running around.
Does your kitten or cat pant?? My little girl did pant some on the warm days, because she is so active...always moving jumping ect but not when she is relaxing.
(08-04-2010 06:38 AM)dextersmom Wrote: [ -> ] (08-03-2010 08:22 PM)JaneC Wrote: [ -> ]My "angel" Madison had HCM, but really never had alot of symptoms. He did start to fatigue faster with exercise. His vet never "heard" a murmur, but I could hear the murmur (grade IV) with my bare ears. He was put on meds by a kitty-kat cardiologist. Madison lived for 20 years.
That's wonderful to hear that Madison had a long happy life even with HCM! Our little Gracie only made it to 6 months and it was heartbreaking.
You were so fortunate to have Madison for 20 yrs, i am just starting to become educated about thei HCM and it scares me! So sorry you only had Gracie for 6 months, that is such a shame.
(08-04-2010 03:53 PM)CARagMama Wrote: [ -> ]So sorry you only had Gracie for 6 months, that is such a shame.
Thanks, she utterly transformed our lives in that short time.
(08-04-2010 04:57 PM)dextersmom Wrote: [ -> ] (08-04-2010 03:53 PM)CARagMama Wrote: [ -> ]So sorry you only had Gracie for 6 months, that is such a shame.
Thanks, she utterly transformed our lives in that short time.
I feel that way about Meeko. I lost him at 10 months old and so many well-intentioned concerned friends / family said something to me like "if only you'd known" you could have picked another kitten or just gotten Newman.
Like your Gracie, he was an angel kitty before he even crossed the rainbow bridge. I'm better for having known him and I don't regret a moment of it (I just wish there had been more moments).