Meet Beautiful Chess

Chess, our little feline patient, came in for a visit after a heart murmur was detected during her routine appointment at her referring vet. A heart scan revealed that she has a ventricular septal defect (VSD). VSD is the most common congenital heart condition in cats, characterised by an abnormal connection between the right and left ventricles (the heart's pumping chambers). In most cases, this connection is small and doesn’t cause any problems, allowing cats to live symptom-free. However, if the defect is large enough, it can lead to congestive heart failure.

Interestingly, during the same scan, we also discovered a peritoneal-pericardial diaphragmatic hernia (PPDH). A PPDH occurs when there’s a defect in the diaphragm (the membrane separating the chest from the abdomen) and the pericardium (the membrane surrounding the heart). This allows abdominal organs like the liver and intestines to shift into the pericardial sac, and it’s usually a congenital issue. In Chess’s case, her liver was located next to her heart, though it didn’t seem to bother her. Many cats with this condition live without symptoms, though some cases may require surgery to correct the hernia.

This case highlights the importance of visiting a cardiologist, especially if a heart murmur is detected. While Chess does have some congenital conditions, they’re not expected to cause any immediate issues. She can continue her life full of energy and mischief, and her owner now has the peace of mind knowing that these conditions are unlikely to pose a future risk. The owner will remain vigilant but can rest assured that there’s no immediate cause for concern.