a difficult decision

My cat Tempyst was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy about 5 months ago, as well as a weak lung lobe which causes him to get pneumonia a lot. The medicine we were given is supposed to help his heart by relaxing the blood vessels so it doesn't have to pump as hard, but then it causes him to sleep all the time and cough. He's no more active or happier since being put on the meds, so I'm not sure if they're even working for him.

He's had a horrible cough for several weeks now, and there seems to be nothing we can do to abate it because it's a side-effect of the medicine, but today it looked like he had a bloody nose and he's started sneezing all the time too.
We've got an appointment when a vet for Thursday to check up on him and his heart.

I love the little guy to pieces but I don't know how fair it is to keep him around by having him on all this medicine just so I don't have to say goodbye. Especially with him being miserable because of the cough and sneezing. He's been a wonderful cat, and he's brought so much to our lives, but I just don't know what to do anymore. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I cannot give you an answer. I just wanted to offer my support in whatever you decide. It cannot be easy in any way and you have my sympathy. I am sure, just by you coming here for advice, you will come to the best decision for you and your kitty. I am so sorry he is not feeling well and that you are troubled for him

Can you get a 2nd opinion on the meds.
I do not know what to tell you to do because its your choice.
Dec 4th is the day I found my Stormy almost dead and she was pts Dec 5th.
I s there any vet school you can go to?

Originally Posted by Pami

I cannot give you an answer. I just wanted to offer my support in whatever you decide. It cannot be easy in any way and you have my sympathy. I am sure, just by you coming here for advice, you will come to the best decision for you and your kitty. I am so sorry he is not feeling well and that you are troubled for him

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Thank you very much, for your support. I truly appreciate it, and can only hope that I will make the right decision, whatever that is, when it comes down to it.

Originally Posted by mews2much

Can you get a 2nd opinion on the meds.
I do not know what to tell you to do because its your choice.
Dec 4th is the day I found my Stormy almost dead and she was pts Dec 5th.
I s there any vet school you can go to?

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I'm definitely going to ask them about the meds because the vet that prescribed them really had no idea what he was doing in dealing with this disease and even admitted as much.

I'm very, very sorry to hear about your Stormy. It must have been awful to discover her like that.

I got a reference about a vet school from the website of the vet I'm going to on Thursday, If I can't get any real help from this vet (they're supposed to be really good), perhaps I will try them. Are vet schools better than regular offices?

Hello,

I am so sorry for what you and your dear kitty are facing right now. It's a horribly tough and stressful situation to be in, what to do? what is the right thing to do?

Well, I wondered if you were aware of the Feline Heart Support Group on Yahoo? It's for owners of kitties who have various heart conditions and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a very common one there......if nothing else, you can communicate with other owners whose kitties have HCM or have had it......maybe discuss different med possibilities, etc etc. Here is the link, you'll have to sign up to join the group:

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/feline-heart/

It's a while since I was faced with that decision, and it's never easy, but between what you know and observe of your cat, and what your vet can tell you about his general condition and prognosis, you will know when it's no longer fair to him to keep trying.

I hope you find some answers that will enable you to have more quality time with Tempyst, but I know, whatever you discover, you'll do what's best for him.

Originally Posted by Namo

...I got a reference about a vet school from the website of the vet I'm going to on Thursday...Are vet schools better than regular offices?

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Veterinary schools have the advantage of having the most up-to-date technology and competent feline specialists. If this Vet has the reference on his/her website, there' a very high liklihood that he already has a rapport with the school, at the least, s/he will have no reservations about referring you there. For HCM, I would insist on a referral to a speialist

The advice above about joining the online HCM group is truly invaluable. Most people who participate in these specific-condition groups very quickly realize that the group's collective knowledge and experience far surpasses that of their individual Vets - but, cannot replace a competent "feline Veterinarian".

I have talked to Uc Davis before.
I am not sure what vet schools are near you.
Thanks for caring about Stormy.
Sorry you got a vet that did not know alot.
I was once told Coco had lung cancer and a bad heart by a bad vet.
I only went there once and they sent me to 2nd opinion vet which is the one i go to now.
Coco had severe asthma with uri.
I went to the bad vet because I had no idea they were bad and coco was very sick at the time.
The vet I go to now would see her the next day.
The bad vet was shut down and I filed a compliant.
I wish you lived out here because I know my vet or Uc Davis could help.

I would recommend a vet chool if one is available. My Persil was almost put to sleep when her diaphragmatic hernia was discovered, and if I had not found a wonderful surgeon at the local vet school, she would not be with me today, four years later. As well as good technology they have the buzz of lots of specialists who can offer ideas.