Congestive Heart Failure

[westtexas]

I hope for the best for you and your kitty! My sweet Theo has a heart murmur and I dread the day that he may go in to failure. Luckily we have some really good drugs to help these guys stay comfortable and happy (and eating!) once we can get the fluid off their chests. I also highly recommend echocardiogram if you have a facility nearby that can do it (or maybe your veterinarian can). It's invaluable in looking at the anatomical structure of the heart (x-rays only show us size and general shape) and a very good tool for making sure your kitty gets on the right drugs and you have an accurate prognosis.

T&P for Hunter from me & my kitty in west Texas.

[bmccasland]

Healing juju for Hunter, and big hugs to you!

[PamNY]

Good wishes to Hunter and you, too. Drug therapy was great for my dog with CHF; I hope there's an equivalent treatment for kitties.

[badger]

so sorry to hear that your Hunter's not well. Sending you good thoughts!

[TsPoet]

Oh poor baby! Sending both of you warm thoughts and energy to heal!

[nancielle]

Thanks, everyone, for your good wishes. Hunter is home tonight. He's still not himself but his breathing is far less labored.

His vet and I discussed having an echocardiogram done but it will have to wait for now. His current bill cost over twice what I had been told it would (and I hate the finances have to be a deciding factor now but they do) so we have to wait. The vet who was covering today commented that they detected a heart murmur and wanted to know if it had been diagnosed before. I don't remember anything being said about it.

Chloe is thrilled that her buddy is home. Ghost is even giving him a break. Will be setting up additional litter boxes (what, you mean they aren't the "must have" home decor item of the season?!)

I wish I had noticed sooner any problems he had been having. Perhaps he wouldn't be enduring this now.

Thanks again, everyone.

[westtexas]

I wish I had noticed sooner any problems he had been having. Perhaps he wouldn't be enduring this now. .

Definitely don't think this way and don't blame yourself for what Hunter is going through. Often the first sign a kitty has heart disease is when the go into failure the first time and you notice the labored breathing. Things we assess in dogs - like coughing and exercise intolerance - aren't as "classic" of signs in kitties. Felines just like to be difficult, which is why we adore them.

I am happy that Hunter is home with his family tonight Sending more good thoughts your way!