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  #31  
Old December 14th, 2008, 12:04 PM
kenmando kenmando is offline
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i lost my boston terrier to degenerative heart disease which was very hard to get a firm diagnosis of due to red blood cell count and red blood cell reticulate count being contrary to all normal indicators. his lungs kept filling up with fluid and every few days i would have to have them drained. 25 lb. dog with 4 lbs. of fluid. my greatest fear was that he would aspirate or "drowned" in his own fluids. had to put him down to make sure he wouldn't suffer. he was on diuretics to keep his fluid level down and i had to limit the amount of water he drank which killed me. he always seemed so parched. on that one day i lost my greatest love and my best friend. hope this info helps and remember that if someone had to survive to take care of the other that it is better this way and that we would gladly accept the burden of the pain instead of having them suffer, as hard as it may be. p.s. yes i am crying right now

Last edited by kenmando; December 14th, 2008 at 12:21 PM. Reason: grammer
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  #32  
Old December 14th, 2008, 12:16 PM
gkjones gkjones is offline
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Thank you, SugarcatMom -- that is very useful info, including the hint re using the powder from capsules and how it doesn't seem to be detectable to the pet in small amounts. I'll see if I can find the Now brands. Thanks, too, for the info re coenzyme Q10.
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  #33  
Old December 15th, 2008, 07:34 PM
gkjones gkjones is offline
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Update

My little one has continued to breathe quite well, but she has absolutely no stamina. Tries to do her normal routine (upstairs, downstairs, check out this, check out that) but she has to rest multiple times along the way. The force feeding is going fairly well. I'd say that she is moderately improved, more alert, and in no apparent distress. But I'm concerned for a number of reasons. She does no grooming except licking her chops after a feeding. She still wants to lick up litter (I changed it to a non-toxic wheat-based one). She's produced no feces for days. And she shows no interest in eating.

And while she is on both Lasix and diltiazem, her vet said that dilated cardiomyopathy isn't associated with clots so she's not on an anticoagulant or ACE inhibitors ... yet what I see on the web is that DCM is associated with clots and so she should be on a more expansive med regimen. So I called the vet this a.m. at 9:45 and he still hasn't returned my call (it's now just about 7:30pm my time -- I'd called again around 4:30pm and was told he would call me today). Which means I also still haven't heard the results of her blood tests or the analysis of the fluid removed from her lungs. Frustrating.

I know that some of you have experience with this or similar heart problems in your cats. From your experience, what should I be expecting in terms of recovery, if she is going to recover? And if I'm being a too fearful mom please feel free to tell me.
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  #34  
Old December 15th, 2008, 08:31 PM
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sugarcatmom sugarcatmom is offline
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Is it possible for you to get a referral to a veterinary cardiologist? Your kitty's heart condition is pretty serious and I'm thinking that it might be a good idea to go to an expert, if there is one in your area. Here is a "vet locator" that might help: http://www.acvim.org/Specialist/Search.aspx

The other thing I'd suggest is joining the Yahoo Feline Heart Group. Members there will be better able to answer your questions since they are "all heart, all the time". It's a great resource with lots of links. I've never had to deal with dilated cardiomyopathy, so I'd hate to give advice that may not apply to your situation. But do still keep in touch here, I want to know what's going on with your girl.
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  #35  
Old December 15th, 2008, 09:59 PM
gkjones gkjones is offline
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Thanks, SugarcatMom -- I've found one in the area and am checking him out.

I'll certainly keep you posted.
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  #36  
Old December 16th, 2008, 08:04 AM
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chico2 chico2 is offline
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gkjones,no you are not being a too fearful mom,you are being a loving,caring mom,who wants to see her kitty well,as do we
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  #37  
Old December 16th, 2008, 08:07 AM
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Love4himies Love4himies is offline
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Good luck with the cardiologist
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Rose semi feral, a cpietra rescue, female tabby (approx 13 yrs)

Jasper RIP (2001-2018)
Sweet Pea RIP (2004?-2014)
Puddles RIP (1996-2014)
Snowball RIP (1991-2005)

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  #38  
Old December 17th, 2008, 08:47 PM
gkjones gkjones is offline
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We were close to losing the little one today. Her temp was down to 94. Vet was able to get it up to 101, but then once the heat was removed she'd lose it all. B.P. low, too. So her heart is clearly decompensating. Reached the cardiologist and asked him to consult via phone and fax of records with my vet. He agreed. Suggested, essentially as our last viable option, to switch her from diltiazem to vetmedin, which has only been tested in dogs but is specifically (or so I understand) for dilated cardiomyopathy. So that's what we're doing. Have her at home, in her carrier, and are keeping her warm with a hot air blower (borrowed from vet), heating pad under the carrier (off and on), and warm towels. Will take her back to the vet's tomorrow so they can monitor and feed her during the day and keep her fluids up.

I thought we were going to have to make the hard decision today. Now I feel that we at least got a reprieve for tonight. She's alert and in no apparent distress, but she obviously is so very weak.

So, that's where we are right now. I've certainly appreciated the support you've given me on this forum. It is a great kindness.
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  #39  
Old December 18th, 2008, 08:03 AM
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chico2 chico2 is offline
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gkjones,there is a way she will improve,if sadly her little heart gives up,she knows you love her and tried everything possible to save her life,but hopefully this new drug will be the miracle we're hoping for
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  #40  
Old December 18th, 2008, 01:20 PM
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catlover2 catlover2 is offline
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gkjones, This elderly 14 year old cat has been put through a lot. I think you will have to make a decision soon as what is best for your beloved cat. Is the treatment helping or just prolonging the agony and distress for her? It's always a very hard decision to make, but I've seen too many owners who just don't want to 'let go' when the cat (or dog) really wants to. to be so blunt.
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  #41  
Old December 18th, 2008, 04:59 PM
gkjones gkjones is offline
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Catlover2, I don't mind at all that you are blunt because you are correct. This is the last treatment option, and it is an oral medication. We are keeping her fed (the term "force feeding" in her case is a bit of a misnomer at this point because she starts to help without any pressure other than the tip of the syringe on her teeth), hydrated, and warm. She is alert and, as far as we know, not in pain (the only meowing she does is when she tells me she needs to urinate).

If I see (within this week) that this med is not going to improve her quality of life I absolutely will do what is needed. It is never far from my mind.

I sincerely appreciate your concern for my little cat.
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  #42  
Old December 18th, 2008, 05:08 PM
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chico2 chico2 is offline
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gkjones,I don't doubt you will do the right thing for your little girl,but still hope the new drug will do the trick
Catlover,you are right,way in the past I kept my sick cats with me,because I loved them so much,until life became unbearable for them,I will never make that mistake again:sad:
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  #43  
Old December 18th, 2008, 05:16 PM
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Love4himies Love4himies is offline
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I too agree with you catlover, I made the mistake of keeping Snowball alive for longer than I should.

gkjones: I pray this new med will work for your kitty
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Cat maid to:


Rose semi feral, a cpietra rescue, female tabby (approx 13 yrs)

Jasper RIP (2001-2018)
Sweet Pea RIP (2004?-2014)
Puddles RIP (1996-2014)
Snowball RIP (1991-2005)

In a cat's eye, all things belong to cats.-English Proverb

“While we are free to choose our actions, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions.” Stephen R. Covey
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  #44  
Old December 18th, 2008, 11:47 PM
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catlover2 catlover2 is offline
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gkjones, love4himies, chico2, I've made the same mistake in the past myself a few times, and vowed I'll never do it again. :sad: It such a hard decision. We love our pets so much it's so hard to say goodbye. Call me crazy, but I've come to believe that no love is ever lost and hope that in the spiritual world we'll be reunited again with our pets who've passed on.
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