If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Help! cat w/enlarged heart, breathing difficulties
Hi,
I'm hoping someone here might be able to give me some insight. OUr 8 1/2 year old cat had a bladder blockage four days ago, which came after a bout of diahrrea that lasted 3 days. He's had diahreea before and we didn't think too much of it, he gets stressed easily, he's also over weight and an overeater, usually it would go away in a day or so. This time it seemed worse, and he suddenly started straining at the litter box. Well, he's had UTIs before too, so I took him in immediately. He was blocked. They had to catheterize him with anaesthesia and keep him over night, gave him Amoxycilin and hill's s/d, and sent him home, but told me to watch in case he blocked again. he was fine the first day, but the second night he refused his food, and he seemed listless. I took him to emergency and they said he wasn't blocked, but suggested I get him tested for kidney disease because of the diarrhea he'd had. So, I took him BACK to our vet this morning, by which time his breathing seemed really laboured (he was still refusing food). They ran blood tests on him: nothing unusual. Xrays: fluid in his lungs, so maybe asthma, and also, what appeared to be an enlarged heart. They want to do an ultrasound tomorrow but sent him home with us to watch overnight. Diagnosis now, so far, is that he MAY have heart disease, or it MAY just be asthma, although he didn't respond fast to a cortisone shot. MY SUSPICION: this is a complication from the anaesthetic they gave him to catheterize him. It seems very strange he'd suddenly have these problems just after having been in for an obstruction. The vet's only suggestion was that maybe he got an infection and it went to his heart which is causing this. If this is an enlarged heart: what will I do? OUr vet is very unhelpful. Many thanks, very worried. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
wrote in message ... Hi, I'm hoping someone here might be able to give me some insight. OUr 8 1/2 year old cat had a bladder blockage four days ago, which came after a bout of diahrrea that lasted 3 days. He's had diahreea before and we didn't think too much of it, he gets stressed easily, he's also over weight and an overeater, usually it would go away in a day or so. This time it seemed worse, and he suddenly started straining at the litter box. Well, he's had UTIs before too, so I took him in immediately. He was blocked. They had to catheterize him with anaesthesia and keep him over night, gave him Amoxycilin and hill's s/d, and sent him home, but told me to watch in case he blocked again. he was fine the first day, but the second night he refused his food, and he seemed listless. I took him to emergency and they said he wasn't blocked, but suggested I get him tested for kidney disease because of the diarrhea he'd had. So, I took him BACK to our vet this morning, by which time his breathing seemed really laboured (he was still refusing food). They ran blood tests on him: nothing unusual. Xrays: fluid in his lungs, so maybe asthma, and also, what appeared to be an enlarged heart. They want to do an ultrasound tomorrow but sent him home with us to watch overnight. Diagnosis now, so far, is that he MAY have heart disease, or it MAY just be asthma, although he didn't respond fast to a cortisone shot. MY SUSPICION: this is a complication from the anaesthetic they gave him to catheterize him. It seems very strange he'd suddenly have these problems just after having been in for an obstruction. The vet's only suggestion was that maybe he got an infection and it went to his heart which is causing this. Possible, however, unlikely. Your vet is suggesting bacterial endocarditis - which is bacterial invasion and colonization of the heart valves. Although CHF can develop from endocarditis, the process usually takes weeks to months. My guess is your cat has undiagnosed heart disease (HCM/CHF) and probably decompensated under the stress of the blockage, hospital stay and treatment. Fluid in the lungs with an enlarged heart are pathogenomic for CHF secondary to HCM - not asthma - although asthma may exist as a concurrent illness. If this is an enlarged heart: what will I do? Consult a veterinary cardiologist. Many cats with CHF survive for years on a therapeutic plan consisting of furosemide (Lasix), nitroglycerin, low-dose aspirin, diltiazem, atenolol, or a combination of the medications. Your immediate concern should be reducing or eliminating life-threatening pulmonary edema. Go to http://www.acvim.org/Kittleson/search.htm and do a search for an Diplomate in the specialty of cardiology in your area. American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Diplomates are about the best there is. OUr vet is very unhelpful. I agree. My guess is he's trying to cover failing to diagnose your cat's heart disease at an earlier date which may have averted this crisis. Many thanks, very worried. Keep the faith - just find a new vet *quick*! Phil |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
wrote in message ... Hi, I'm hoping someone here might be able to give me some insight. OUr 8 1/2 year old cat had a bladder blockage four days ago, which came after a bout of diahrrea that lasted 3 days. He's had diahreea before and we didn't think too much of it, he gets stressed easily, he's also over weight and an overeater, usually it would go away in a day or so. This time it seemed worse, and he suddenly started straining at the litter box. Well, he's had UTIs before too, so I took him in immediately. He was blocked. They had to catheterize him with anaesthesia and keep him over night, gave him Amoxycilin and hill's s/d, and sent him home, but told me to watch in case he blocked again. he was fine the first day, but the second night he refused his food, and he seemed listless. I took him to emergency and they said he wasn't blocked, but suggested I get him tested for kidney disease because of the diarrhea he'd had. So, I took him BACK to our vet this morning, by which time his breathing seemed really laboured (he was still refusing food). They ran blood tests on him: nothing unusual. Xrays: fluid in his lungs, so maybe asthma, and also, what appeared to be an enlarged heart. They want to do an ultrasound tomorrow but sent him home with us to watch overnight. Diagnosis now, so far, is that he MAY have heart disease, or it MAY just be asthma, although he didn't respond fast to a cortisone shot. MY SUSPICION: this is a complication from the anaesthetic they gave him to catheterize him. It seems very strange he'd suddenly have these problems just after having been in for an obstruction. The vet's only suggestion was that maybe he got an infection and it went to his heart which is causing this. Possible, however, unlikely. Your vet is suggesting bacterial endocarditis - which is bacterial invasion and colonization of the heart valves. Although CHF can develop from endocarditis, the process usually takes weeks to months. My guess is your cat has undiagnosed heart disease (HCM/CHF) and probably decompensated under the stress of the blockage, hospital stay and treatment. Fluid in the lungs with an enlarged heart are pathogenomic for CHF secondary to HCM - not asthma - although asthma may exist as a concurrent illness. If this is an enlarged heart: what will I do? Consult a veterinary cardiologist. Many cats with CHF survive for years on a therapeutic plan consisting of furosemide (Lasix), nitroglycerin, low-dose aspirin, diltiazem, atenolol, or a combination of the medications. Your immediate concern should be reducing or eliminating life-threatening pulmonary edema. Go to http://www.acvim.org/Kittleson/search.htm and do a search for an Diplomate in the specialty of cardiology in your area. American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Diplomates are about the best there is. OUr vet is very unhelpful. I agree. My guess is he's trying to cover failing to diagnose your cat's heart disease at an earlier date which may have averted this crisis. Many thanks, very worried. Keep the faith - just find a new vet *quick*! Phil |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
My 2 1/2 yr old black long haired kitty, Bear started having problems
like this in Sept. First he was so blocked the vet had a hard time getting him cleaned out and he was there 3 days. A week later I took him back but the vet didn't find anything wrong, a week later it was bladder infection. Then it was drooling. I mentioned then that he was breathing hard and fast sometimes. No comment from vet. Sun. morning Bear was watching me getting ready for church. I sprayed hairspray but away from him then chased him out of the room. When I returned from lunch he was having trouble breathing. I took him to the vet who gave him a shot and some pills. An x-ray showed an enlarged heart and ashma-like condition. By evening he was worse. The vet and I made a flying trip to the nearest large city to get help. The vet in back with oxygen and kitty. Bear died as I drove into the city limits. I have been bawling my eyes out ever since. I feel like I killed my precious Bear with hairspray1 |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
My 2 1/2 yr old black long haired kitty, Bear started having problems
like this in Sept. First he was so blocked the vet had a hard time getting him cleaned out and he was there 3 days. A week later I took him back but the vet didn't find anything wrong, a week later it was bladder infection. Then it was drooling. I mentioned then that he was breathing hard and fast sometimes. No comment from vet. Sun. morning Bear was watching me getting ready for church. I sprayed hairspray but away from him then chased him out of the room. When I returned from lunch he was having trouble breathing. I took him to the vet who gave him a shot and some pills. An x-ray showed an enlarged heart and ashma-like condition. By evening he was worse. The vet and I made a flying trip to the nearest large city to get help. The vet in back with oxygen and kitty. Bear died as I drove into the city limits. I have been bawling my eyes out ever since. I feel like I killed my precious Bear with hairspray1 |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
|
#7
|
|||
|
|||
|
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Thanks for your kind words. I am having a very hard time dealing with
this. It helps to know others understand and are sympathtic. |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Thanks for your kind words. I am having a very hard time dealing with
this. It helps to know others understand and are sympathtic. |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
"Laura R." wrote in message .. . circa Wed, 28 Jan 2004 08:31:07 -0600 (CST), in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, Teddy ) said, Thanks for your kind words. I am having a very hard time dealing with this. It helps to know others understand and are sympathtic. We've probably all been where you are right now. It's horrible, and there's little to nothing that makes it better besides time. It is human nature to look for things we could have done differently when we lose a pet, even though the reality usually is that we did everything we could and then some. Just by the obviousness of your grief and the post you placed that started this thread, it's very, very clear that you loved your cat dearly and that you went way over and above the call of duty in trying to save him. You have *nothing* for which to blame yourself. Sometimes these things just happen. :-( The pain *will* lessen over time. You'll never stop missing him, but you will be able to remember him without that horrible stabbing pain every time you do. Until then, unfortunately, the only thing you can do is to remind yourself of all the things you did to try to save him, and know that it was his time no matter what anybody did. Laura Yes. And when it is time (you will know when) save another sweet little cat that needs a home. Or two. They still need you. |
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
PING Yowie - Share a story, please? | Julie Cook | Cat anecdotes | 6 | December 14th 03 02:15 PM |