My name is Heather and I live in Brooklyn, NY and work in Manhattan,
NY.  My cat, Mack C., is 18 months old and such a joy.  Last Saturday,
I took him to the vet because for a few days his left eye was almost
constantly running clear fluid.  Mind you, this was our first visit to
this vet because we moved from Manhattan to Brooklyn in August of
2006.  His last visit to his old vet was in March of 2006.

I want to warn that I am very long winded so be prepared, but I do
appreciate you reading!!

During the visit I was informed that Mack C. has herpes.  He is now on
a daily dose of 500mg of L-lysine.  In order to prevent any secondary
infection, the vet also gave me ointment (it's at home so I don't know
the identifiable name) to put on Mack C.'s left eye twice daily until
the eye is seemingly better for two full days.

I was also informed that Mack C. has medial patellar luxation, which
the vet told me is rare in cats but common in some small breed dogs.
Although he did not give me a grade of severity of MPL, I am less
concerned about this because Mack C. is 100% an indoor cat and
therefore won't be doing the kind of jumping an outdoor cat may do.

Lastly, and the worst diagnosis of all, the vet informed me that Mack
C. has a heart murmur.  He told me that it was rather apparent and
that it was something my original vet would not be likely to miss.
This would mean that the heart murmur developed in the past year and
is most likely the cause of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.  There is a
second vet in the office and he stopped her as she walked by to have a
listen to Mack C.'s little heart.  Without him saying anything to the
other vet, she said, "Oh wow," and then took a better listen and
offered the same diagnosis.

I have spent hours since this past weekend researching these
conditions, focusing most intently on the latter (HCM), since it
offers the grimmest prognosis.  My vet said that Mack C. needs to get
an echocardiogram in order to properly diagnose whether or not it is
HCM and if it is, the severity of his condition.  He is showing no
clinical sings with the exception of the heart murmur.

My vet told me that they can either refer me to a clinic to do the
echocardiogram or have a specialist come into his vet office in
Williamsburg.  He told me that the approximate cost of the test would
be about $300.  I'm assuming that does not include any standard fees
such as just coming into the office and also being examined by the
specialist.  I am more than willing to pay this amount, but in my
research it seems to be recommended that I go to a veterinary
cardiologist.  I'm assuming that the person the vet would bring in is
not a cardiologist as there are seemingly only three board certified
cardiologists in New York City and I doubt they travel to Brooklyn vet
offices.

So I called the Animal Medical Center located in midtown Manhattan to
inquire about fees for the test.  This is where Dr. Philip Fox and Dr.
Betsy Bond both practice at least a portion of their time.  Dr. Fox
apparently has a very good reputation and I feel lucky to be so close
to this resource.  They told me that it is $152 for the initial visit
to see a cardiologist.  In addition, the echocardiogram will cost
somewhere from $380 to $420.

This is quite a bit more than what my vet estimated it would be to
bring someone into his office.  However, I'm willing to pay it if the
experience of members of this list is that I go to see a cardiologist
for the most accurate echo I can get.  Will it make a difference in
treatment?  Is going to visit a cardiologist of this stature not
necessary unless Mack C.'s case has made a turn for the worse?  Is
there something that Dr. Fox would be able to tell me about Mack C.'s
specific case that a specialist would not?  I should have the money to
take Mack C. to the less expensive echo within two weeks.  It will
take an additional week or two to save enough money to take him to see
Dr. Fox.  Could this be crucial time?

I just want to make sure I am doing all I can to give Mack C. not only
a longer life span but a high quality of life.  I am still devastated
about the potential diagnosis, but at this point I am doing all I can
to gear myself towards his health rather than my emotions.  Thank you
all for your advice as I will take all into consideration!

Pictures of the lovely boy are at:
http://www.thebighustle.com/mack1.jpg
http://www.thebighustle.com/mack2.jpg

All the best,
Heather