Fluid on the lungs in my sweet cat

I apologize for not introducing myself, but I am being selfish about my cat's health.  He is ten years old, been very healthy, indoor/outdoor, has his claws and has never been in a fight.  Big cat, tipping the scales at 20-22 lbs and I have considered that he might be a mix of American Shorthaired and a Maine Coon??  

About three weeks ago, he was coughing, like he had a hairball, but nothing came up.  I took him to the Vet and he got an antibiotic and a little prednisone, which helped.  After this Vet visit, we went out of town and he did great.

Last Friday, I noticed laborious breathing.  We went to the Vet, got an X-Ray and blood work.   He does have pleural effusion and my Vet thinks this is related to his heart or possibly cancer.  His blood work appears normal.  We are getting an ultrasound in a few days and until then, he is on a diuretic to help with the fluid buildup.

Cowboy has not indicated that he doesn't feel well.  In fact, quite the opposite from three weeks ago and the coughing.  He has a normal appetite, takes normal amounts of water and has normal stool.  He is still sweet and snuggly.  His breathing appears easier already.

What are we facing here?  Any input, expertise, knowledge is greatly appreciated.  Thank you in advance!!  

He may have to take the diuretic off and on for a while. I know many people who take them and the only reaction is they have to pee more often. Don't work yourself into a frenzy worrying about what might happen. He will pick up on your mood and may start getting stressed.

Welcome to TCS. Let us know what happens at the vet. Post some pics of your big boy, please.

Hi there and thank you, catspaw66.

I am a large dog breed owner, too, so Cowboy grew up with a big Blood Hound, Sweet Pea.  When the same Vet wanted to start testing on her, I declined because she was older and being a naturalist, I won't do heroic measures......particularly after a certain age (I learned the hard way).  I promised Sweet Pea that when she let me know it was time, I would listen.  In her last days, which were beautiful between us, she trusted me and I trusted her.  I feel the same about Cowboy.  Also, I am dog person.  I am told that I am cat person since the cat found me, is so sweet and loving and evidently our animals know who their humans are long before we know.  I am honored that he chose me.  I feel badly sometimes because I do not know what the signs are in cats, but he, too, is great at communicating with me and we seem to handle situations really well together.

If this is a heart condition, it seems that all will be fine.....at least for a few years, hopefully, with him on meds.  I do not prefer to have my animals on maintenance meds, although.  If it is cancer, from what I am reading, we might only have a few months and that concerns me.

He had a stressful day at the Vet yesterday (which broke my heart) and he is already up, eating, playing and really his normal self.  I also do not want him to feel my sad energy and working at that, but he a very smart and savvy kitty.  Even when we are traveling to another state, the morning of travel day, he hides under a bed......just feeling my energy.  

Thank you again for posting.  If anyone has experienced this condition in their cats, please let me know what to expect, potentially.  I am very appreciative.  

I tried to post pics, but received an error message.  

This site has an articles section.   www.thecatsite.com/atype/46/Cat_Health    I always refer to it as an owner's manual for your cat. There is something on almost every subject.

If you will scroll down to the bottom of every page on this site, there is a FAQ that you can check for tutorials on posting pics and restrictions on attachments and videos. As you progress through the stages, Newbie, Kitten, Young Cat, etc. you will be allowed more access.

Of my 5 ladies, 2 are going to be on l-lysine for the rest of their lives, to keep them from having FHV flare-ups.  I have some meds that I will have to take for the rest of my life.

Welcome! I am so sorry about your cat's illness. I don't have any expertise on the subject. I only come offering support and concern for Cowboy (and you) :rub: I also, as Catspaw, have a few cats who will be medicated for life. One has FHV, one FIC and the other asthma. My asthma kitty has coughing episodes a few times per week. He is only three. All test disprove any heart related condition but I still worry. His lungs are cloudy and have some scarring. He was abused as a kitten, terribly so, and that could have caused the scarring on his lungs. We don't know for sure. I did have a kitty with heart problems and he was only four years old when he suddenly passed. I think the hardest part of loving these beautiful God given creatures is when they get sick or when we have to let them go to that bridge. But, as with all life, we are all headed that way. Hopefully, though, after a full and happy life. It sounds to me that Cowboy is SO deeply loved and no matter what, you and he will get through this together. I do hope that the medication will give him much more time with you! Please keep us posted. Cowboy.

I suppose that pleural effusion cannot be related to kitty asthma?? Coughing could be a sign of asthma, and asthma can predispose to pneumonia infections. My kitty is on inhaled steroids and almost never coughed again once put on them. My kitty has had a few small bouts of pneumonia due to her asthma and recovered well after antibiotics. Just a thought, but I am sure that your vet had reasons to suggest the other things as being more probable.

So sorry about your kitty not feeling well. Sending best wishes. 

How is he doing today??

Thank you, Scarlett.  He is doing fine!  His eyes are clear, gums look good, he is playing and cattin' around outside right now.  His appetite is normal, is still taking normal amounts of water, relieves himself normally and his stool is normal.  Thank you for sharing your idea that it could be pneumonia since he did cough a few weeks ago.  The prednisone probably helped cure that.  When I speak with the Vet, I will ask about the possibility of asthma and pneumonia since he is not indicating to me that he doesn't feel well.  His breathing has been improved and is probably due to the diuretic.  

I will keep Y'all apprised - I expect to hear from the Vet later today.  

HI Y'all!

Cowboy has been mostly fine.  I have noticed that he is sleeping more than normal and some days he has no desire to go outside.  When he does go out, he stays out all day.....maybe 7-8 hours.  Sometimes he is breathing laboriously and sometimes normally.

He just came inside and one eye was runny.  The same eye was a little crusty a few weeks ago when he was coughing.  I am wondering if this is a cold or asthma?  We go to the vet again in the morning and I am praying for a good outcome with the ultrasound.  We appreciate all prayers right now.  

Thank you and hoping Y'all have had a great weekend!

Ask your vet if he thinks l-lysine would be good for Cowboy.

Cowboy had his ultrasound this morning and there is a thickening of the heart wall in one ventricle.  No cancer and this isn't pneumonia.  The Vet will take measurements and get back with me within 48 hours.  They will determine if his heart is failing or if treatment can reverse the damage.    His human is feeling blue.

The Vet emailed me over the weekend.  Cowboy has Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and the prognosis is a few months to one year.  However, I have spoken with many people whose cats and dogs have lived a few years with this heart condition.....being treated with meds for the rest of their lives. 

Here is a pic of him this morning.  He looks great, breathing is normal now and I believe he feels great.  He is outside now, cattin' around.  

Oh my, he is a beautiful cat.  So sorry to hear about the heart problem