To be aggressive or not?

[PamNY]

Today I took my 4 year old black cat into the vet for his annual exam and va I don't know that I feel it's right to treat animals with chronic conditions - forcing them to take meds all the time, bringing them in for tests frequently.

I'm sorry to hear about your kitty.

I don't see any ethical problem with treating a cardiac condition in a young cat. He may be annoyed by pills and vet visits, but he will get over it. Treating an animal who has no quality of life and no hope for improvement is another matter entirely, but you aren't in that situation.

You need a lot more information -- what meds, how much do they cost, and what are the side effects for starters. If you don't know how to pill a cat, you should learn.

I would want the ultrasound for my own curiosity and peace of mind. I'm glad that your vet is up-to-date on research.

The link ccnyc posted looks very helpful IMO. I had a dog on ACE inhibitors and Lasix for a time and he did very well. We used some of the supplements recommended and I think they helped.

ETA: If your cat ever needed surgery, your vet might not want to operate without clarification of his cardiac status. That's one reason to go ahead with testing and meds if needed. Of course I hope you don't have an emergency with him, but if you did, a heart problem might make things more complicated.

I had to spend around $2,000 (ultrasound and Holter monitor) on my dog before the cardiologist would clear him for surgery.

Good luck.