Cat diagnosed congestive heart failure 5 days ago

Congratulations!!! How wonderful!

So I Just thought I'd drop an update.

Gizmo seem's fine, still on many pills, but appetite and behaviour pretty much as if nothing has happened the last 10 days.

But the diagnosis is not a little grey as to what happened and what treatment to follow once these current pills are complete.

They Vet's are now unsure as to whether we we're dealing with failure or some digestive issues (of which he also has).

I'm still a little unsure how digestive issues could have caused the breathing and fluid build up, a lot of info was fired at me and not all went in I'm afraid, but I have a check up in 2 weeks, so will delve deeper as symptoms we're most def that of heart initially, but the diuretic issue may have confused maters.... not sure.

Anyways, I appreciate al replies and if I get to the bottom of the causes I'll post for any future people here that may go through the same

Richard

Glad to hear he's back to some normalcy! What a blessing for you guys to have such a dedicated and talented vet and staff, sounds like they are working very hard to help Gizmo. Thank you for the update!

Richard Smith said:

 
So I Just thought I'd drop an update.

Gizmo seem's fine, still on many pills, but appetite and behaviour pretty much as if nothing has happened the last 10 days.

But the diagnosis is not a little grey as to what happened and what treatment to follow once these current pills are complete.

They Vet's are now unsure as to whether we we're dealing with failure or some digestive issues (of which he also has).

I'm still a little unsure how digestive issues could have caused the breathing and fluid build up, a lot of info was fired at me and not all went in I'm afraid, but I have a check up in 2 weeks, so will delve deeper as symptoms we're most def that of heart initially, but the diuretic issue may have confused maters.... not sure.

Anyways, I appreciate al replies and if I get to the bottom of the causes I'll post for any future people here that may go through the same

Richard

Click to expand...

HCM is usually diagnosed by an echo-cardiogram that shows the thickening of the heart muscle.  Wasn't this done?

Yeah, he def has HCM but the congestive heart failure diagnosis is now not sure if this was what happened

Ah ok.  It's hard to imagine another cause for fluid build up in the lungs when you already have HCM, but here's hoping it was an anomaly!

Richard Smith said:

 
So I Just thought I'd drop an update.

Gizmo seem's fine, still on many pills, but appetite and behaviour pretty much as if nothing has happened the last 10 days.

But the diagnosis is not a little grey as to what happened and what treatment to follow once these current pills are complete.

They Vet's are now unsure as to whether we we're dealing with failure or some digestive issues (of which he also has).

I'm still a little unsure how digestive issues could have caused the breathing and fluid build up, a lot of info was fired at me and not all went in I'm afraid, but I have a check up in 2 weeks, so will delve deeper as symptoms we're most def that of heart initially, but the diuretic issue may have confused maters.... not sure.

Anyways, I appreciate al replies and if I get to the bottom of the causes I'll post for any future people here that may go through the same

Richard

Click to expand...

Just about a year ago, emergency veterinarians thought our cat Tim had congestive heart failure due to fluid build-up and breathing problems. He was also severely constipated. He was at the emergency veterinarian for the entire weekend as they attempted to reduce the fluid and clear his colon. On Monday morning when we transferred him to our regular veterinarian, we were afraid we were going to lose him.

It turned out that Tim was severely, severely constipated/obstipated and that is what caused the fluid build-up, the breathing problems, and the vomiting. He spent several days with our vet and we took him home with many medications. Our vets also performed a cardiac ultrasound and diagnosed Tim with mild HCM. The fluid cleared and has not come back; we took significant steps to eliminate any constipation and are doing other things to improve his digestion. Tim had an x-ray in January and there was no sign of fluid build-up. We will be having a follow-up cardiac ultrasound in the coming weeks.

So even though it sounds odd, digestive problems in Tim that resulted in severe constipation/obstipation caused him to have fluid build-up and breathing problems. I do hope this is the case with your cat and not congestive heart failure.

Discovering these forums has been so much help, HUGE thanks to everyone.

Everyday I'm paranoid about Gizmo's breathing (which is definitely different from when before all this started, but within 30 bpm usually), when he's quiet or when he's off his food, but ever grateful he's still here, for however long.

I'm now just giving Fortekor each day, the overall diagnosis as to whether he had CHF is still a bit vague, he def has Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, but was advised it can't do any harm in case....

The dosage of Frusemide(Lasix) did cause his 2nd visit to hospital causing sever dehydration, but have been given some in case the breathing hits the high stages again, not that I now want to give this, but at least I can speak to my Vet and administer on their advice without having to go in if necessary, but I won't be touching that unless doubly sure.

Hoping my experiences can now help others too.

Cheers to you all
Rich

OK it sounds like things are under control. Good news.

Hi, been a long time since on here and although Gizmo still going, I've recently had a new issue and was hoping for someone to know or have experienced this...

After thinking Gizmo had put on considerable weight, it dawned on me that he was abdominal breathing more and that he felt too solid for just overeating.

After a trip to the vet it was discovered that he had considerable fluid build up at abdomen area..... this was drained, 400ml !!!!!!

Now the concern is the remaining fluid is under the skin, visibly hanging down, he's a bit squishy as like water in small balloons hanging under him.

I went back twice to Vet, once same day, again next day and had this explained as some fluid not drained now sits between organs and skin, and he is now on another diuretic of 10mg prilactone  as well as 2 x 5 mg 12 hours apart frusemide and the usual fortekor.

My question is, anyone had large amounts fluid drained?

Was the same effect of fluid settling under skin normal for yours?

Vet assures me this will be re-absorbed thru the frusemide and Prilactone, and it has only been 2 days now but it doesn't seem to be dispersing.

He is eating, though not as much, and does drink/pee

Thanks

Richard

So I now, unfortunately, have to close this tale...

Lunchtime today I had Gizmo put to sleep.......... He went from bouncy to swollen to breathing issues and lethargy within a day....

I stayed up all night with him, t through abdominal breathing bouts, coughing and became very lethargic, eating nothing and not drinking, heart rate and breathing quite strained by morning.

Both Vet and I agreed that it was time to let him go........

He lived well past initial expectations when diagnosed last May, and for that I'm extremely grateful.... letting go was horrendously difficult, but I couldn't see him suffer.......

Everyone has helped me no end, I thank you all

RIP Gizmo

So sorry for your loss. Perhaps when you're ready you can post a tribute to him with a photo on the crossing the bridge forum. I lost my 15 year old recently and I know where you're at.

He put up a great fight and you did right by through all those times and right by him at the end.

Very sorry to read this.  We will lock the thread now, and as StephenQ mentioned, please consider posting about him in our Crossing the Bridge forum:  http://www.thecatsite.com/f/19/crossing-the-bridge