Safe To Sedate Cat With Heart Murmur?

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Safe To Sedate Cat With Heart Murmur?

Is it safe to sedate a 15 year old Persian with a heart murmur?

I have a 15 year old female Persian with a heart murmur. She has developed severe matting. I have tried with little success to comb and detangle the matting without causing pain and stress.

I would like to have her coat shaved, but she would need to be sedated (will 1/2 a valium work?) in order to have this done.

I don't want to risk her health, but the matting is very severe and painful.....

Aside from the murmur she suffers from mild arthritis, but otherwise is very active and healthy for her age. She still runs around the house from window to window from time to time and her weight is normal.

Any information will be most helpful....thanks!!

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Safe To Sedate Cat With Heart Murmur?

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Mar 21, 2009
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I Would Not Risk Sedation (Part 2)
by: Kurt (Cat Lovers Only Admin)

Here is part 2 of my answer.

Try EQyss products. EQyss makes a line of non-toxic pet products used by groomers. Some people like them so much they use them on themselves. In fact, some people claim that the Mega-Tek Coat Rebuilder actually regrows their hair.

The Survivor Super Detangler product might work to get the tangles out. You can put it on a dry coat (so you don't risk wetting the fur with water). The Coat Rebuilder is also said to be used as a detangler as well.

Hair gets tangled up because it has a scale-like cuticle layer. Those cuticles open up and act like barbs and catch each other. Cream rinses and conditioners coat the cuticle layer on the outside of the hair shaft and make it slippery and easier to untangle.

While you probably could use cream rinse or hair conditioner made for humans, I prefer to use caution and use non-toxic products made for pets.

You can by the Survivor and Coat Rebuilder through Amazon (links are below)...

Mega-Tek Coat Rebuilder 2oz

Survivor Super Detangler, 8 oz

Long haired cats often have relatively thin skin, so be sensitive to that. Too much tugging on badly matted fur can actually tear the skin.

I hope that helps a bit to give you some ideas. Please let us know what you decide and if any of these ideas work. There are many people in your situation I suspect.

-Kurt

P.S. If anyone has any history of success with this type of thing, please leave a comment and help us out. Thanks!

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Mar 21, 2009
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Submitted by: Kurt (Cat Lovers Only Admin)

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Here is part 2 of my answer. Try EQyss products. EQyss makes a line of non-toxic pet products used by groomers. Some people like them so much they use them on themselves. In fact, some people claim that the Mega-Tek Coat Rebuilder actually regrows their hair. The Survivor Super Detangler product might work to get the tangles out. You can put it on a dry coat (so you don't risk wetting the fur with water). The Coat Rebuilder is also said to be used as a detangler as well. Hair gets tangled up because it has a scale-like cuticle layer. Those cuticles open up and act like barbs and catch each other. Cream rinses and conditioners coat the cuticle layer on the outside of the hair shaft and make it slippery and easier to untangle. While you probably could use cream rinse or hair conditioner made for humans, I prefer to use caution and use non-toxic products made for pets. You can by the Survivor and Coat Rebuilder through Amazon (links are below)... <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00061MPH4?ie=UTF8&tag=catloversonly-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00061MPH4" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mega-Tek Coat Rebuilder 2oz</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=catloversonly-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00061MPH4" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000A6XHKY?ie=UTF8&tag=catloversonly-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000A6XHKY" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Survivor Super Detangler, 8 oz</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=catloversonly-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000A6XHKY" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> <div style="float:left; margin: 5px;"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=catloversonly-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000A6XHKY&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe> </div><div style="float:left; margin:5px;"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=catloversonly-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B00061MPH4&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe> </div><br clear="all"> Long haired cats often have relatively thin skin, so be sensitive to that. Too much tugging on badly matted fur can actually tear the skin. I hope that helps a bit to give you some ideas. Please let us know what you decide and if any of these ideas work. There are many people in your situation I suspect. -Kurt P.S. If anyone has any history of success with this type of thing, please leave a comment and help us out. Thanks!

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Mar 21, 2009
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I Would Not Risk Sedation (Part 1)
by: Kurt (Cat Lovers Only Admin)

I can't dispense veterinary advice, but on a personal note, I would not sedate a cat with a heart murmur. Priscilla has a murmur, and unless she had a life threatening condition, I would say no to sedation.

Still, the matting is a huge problem, and I know that Persians usually need to be groomed often (preferably daily). Most breeders will recommend a periodic bathing and de-greasing as well, although I've seen some groomers recommend products I wouldn't use on a cat. Some products can cause skin irritation or worse, are toxic to your cat.

One thing is for sure, don't get the fur wet or the matting will get worse.

If the matting is severe enough, your only option may be to shave her. Doing it without sedation may be more than most groomers can handle. I would, therefore, ask the vet to do it. Most cats are nervous enough at the vet that they lose a little bit of their fight, and your vet should have the equipment, staff, and expertise to handle it.

Now, if you'd like to try untangling the fur yourself, there are some recommendations I've seen.

I have no personal experience with any of these products, and please do your own research, and ask your vet and a groomer for an opinion before you attempt it.

1. Corn starch. Corn starch has been known to help. Sprinkle it on the matted area, and use your fingers to work it in and separate the fur.

2. Baby oil. I don't like this one because I don't think it's good for your cat to be licking baby oil off of her fur, but some people say it works. You could try an Elizabethan collar to keep her from licking, although most cats hate the collar and will fight to get out of it.

Here's a discussion on the issue...

Corn starch and baby oil for matted cat fur

EQyss products may help if you want to attempt unmatting the fur yourself (Part 2 of my answer coming soon).

-Kurt

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Mar 21, 2009
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Submitted by: Kurt (Cat Lovers Only Admin)

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I can't dispense veterinary advice, but on a personal note, I would not sedate a cat with a heart murmur. Priscilla has a murmur, and unless she had a life threatening condition, I would say no to sedation. Still, the matting is a huge problem, and I know that Persians usually need to be groomed often (preferably daily). Most breeders will recommend a periodic bathing and de-greasing as well, although I've seen some groomers recommend products I wouldn't use on a cat. Some products can cause skin irritation or worse, are toxic to your cat. One thing is for sure, don't get the fur wet or the matting will get worse. If the matting is severe enough, your only option may be to shave her. Doing it without sedation may be more than most groomers can handle. I would, therefore, ask the vet to do it. Most cats are nervous enough at the vet that they lose a little bit of their fight, and your vet should have the equipment, staff, and expertise to handle it. Now, if you'd like to try untangling the fur yourself, there are some recommendations I've seen. I have no personal experience with any of these products, and please do your own research, and ask your vet and a groomer for an opinion before you attempt it. 1. Corn starch. Corn starch has been known to help. Sprinkle it on the matted area, and use your fingers to work it in and separate the fur. 2. Baby oil. I don't like this one because I don't think it's good for your cat to be licking baby oil off of her fur, but some people say it works. You could try an Elizabethan collar to keep her from licking, although most cats hate the collar and will fight to get out of it. Here's a discussion on the issue... <a href="http://www.earthclinic.com/Pets/matted_fur.html">Corn starch and baby oil for matted cat fur</a> EQyss products may help if you want to attempt unmatting the fur yourself (Part 2 of my answer coming soon). -Kurt

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Safe To Sedate Cat With Heart Murmur?

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Safe To Sedate Cat With Heart Murmur?