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Posted by: Cat'sMom Feb 9 2013, 09:14 PM

My vet told me to put my male cat Severus on a quarter of a baby aspirin every 3 days to prevent blood clots.
He was diagnosed with a heart murmur but the X-ray and ultrasound for his heart and blood tests for his thyroid and kidneys all came back fine.
I'm worried about hurting his kidneys with the aspirin but now I'm also concerned about him developing a blood clot.
I'm asking for advice. Has anyone successfully had a cat on aspirin for a heart murmur? Should I even give it to Severus?

Posted by: Pippin's Mom Kel Feb 9 2013, 09:33 PM

I think I've read this is done for cats at higher risk for bloodclots, HOWEVER, if you have any doubts whatsoever, get a second opinion! Also, feel free to mention your concerns about aspirin affecting the kidneys to your vet before giving any to your kitty.

Posted by: moon_beam Feb 10 2013, 11:30 AM

Hi, Cat'sMom, please permit me to add my sincerest support and encouragement to Kel's advice on behalf of your precious Severus.

If I may offer you some observations, it seems from what you share with us that you are receiving conflicting information: "He was diagnosed with a heart murmur but the X-ray and ultrasound for his heart and blood tests for his thyroid and kidneys all came back fine." It is important for you to follow through with your feelings of uncertainty - - when in doubt you ALWAYS have the option to obtain a second opinion - - which I highly support Kel's suggestion. This doesn't mean that you do not trust your primary veterinary practitioner - - it simply means that you are entitled to have your concerns put to rest BEFORE you follow through with any medical protocols, and obtaining a second opinion may help with this.

The following is a link to an article about giving your precious Severus medication such as aspirin - - I hope it will help you in offering some information and insight about your primary veterinary practitioner's recommendation - - and help guide you about deciding to obtain a second opinion: http://pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/safe-cat-pain-medications.

Thank you so much for sharing with us your concerns about your precious Severus. Please know you and your precious boy are in my thoughts and prayers, and please let us know how you both are doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Posted by: Pippin's Mom Kel Feb 11 2013, 01:32 AM

Moon_beam articulated the part that concerned me, there. Why, if his heart ultrasound came back normal, does the vet want to start him on aspirin? A heart murmur can be a benign thing, of course.

I'm an ICU nurse. I have no trouble making a pain of myself and asking a million questions until I understand things and am happy with a treatment plan! I do it for my patients, and I do it for my cats. Don't hesitate to listen to that gut instinct. It's usually right!

Please keep us updated. I'd be interested to hear what your vet and a second opinion have to say. My best wishes for your dear Severus!

Posted by: Cat'sMom Feb 22 2013, 11:03 AM

It is because he is an old cat and the murmur is new. The vet is worried Severus might develop a blood clot loose his back legs and need to be put down. I'm unsure where I could go for a second opinion because the only other vet I have been to is the one where my cat Petunia died of a metacam overdose. I gave him some Aspirin yesterday and he seems OK. I just don't like giving this to him though I don't want him to get blood clots either.

Posted by: moon_beam Feb 22 2013, 12:41 PM

Hi, Cat'sMom, thank you so much for sharing with us how you and your precious Severus are doing. Please know we totally support your decision to try the aspirin therapy. We all make decisions to the best of our ability based on the information we have at any given time. I can so understand your not wanting to obtain a second opinion from a vet you do not trust. All you can do now is to follow your current veterinary practitioner's counsel which he has given you based on his experience and the latest veterinary treatment protocols. Please do not hesitate to contact him if you have any questions or concerns about how your precious Severus is doing before it may be time for his next check up.

And please know we are here for you, Cat'sMom. Each of us do understand what you are going through - - the fear and concern and love you have for your precious Severus. Please know you and your precious boy are in my thoughts and prayers, and please let us know how you both are doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Posted by: Pippin's Mom Kel Feb 24 2013, 01:07 AM

Seems like a reasonable enough reason! Thanks for updating us. Glad to hear he's doing ok on the aspirin so far. I can also, like moon_beam, understand not wanting to take him to a vet you don't trust for a second opinion - kind of ruins the point, doesn't it?

My only other suggestion would be to ask your vet about closer monitoring for side effects of aspirin (IE, checking liver or kidney levels more frequently), though I have a feeling your vet is already thinking along these lines. There are definitely times when the benefits outweigh the risk, and although I haven't seen it, I understand that hind leg blood clots in cats are excruciatingly painful and don't end well for the cat, unfortunately.

Please keep us updated on Severus!