Toby diagnosed with CHF

I have a 9 year old male cat just diagnosed with basically CHF. This all came on so sudden to him and I never have noticed symptoms except the last 2 wks. But he suddenly developed breathing problems and started mouth breathing. Took him to vet and they said he most likely had a tumor and I should put him to sleep. While he stayed in oxygen tank there I took his xray all over town and found a vet that I felt I could trust to help him.

My cat , Toby , had pleural effusion.. a lot of fluid around his lungs and heart. This vet said that it most likely was his heart but after the fluid was drained she would better be able to see on the xray. So Toby had a thorocentesis and small amount of fluids (he stopped eating or drinking) given a diuretic , antibiotic and steroid. Xray was redone with a ultrasound (but not a echo yet) and no sign of tumor. 260 cc fluid sent off from his thorocentesis and no cancer cells were indicated. Vet said 97% sure heart problem and not cancer.

Next day I came to pick him up and he was breathing much better (from 60 bpm down to 26 bmp). He also ate all his food that night at the vet. Tonight is 2nd night post vet and he is doing ok but I'm still dreadfully worried about him. He has been sleeping in more of a sitting position instead of on his side . His breathing is still much better but slightly labored. He is eating but not like he did before he got sick. Tonight was the first night I started him on his diltiazem (cardizem).

Toby is still very fatigue but he still likes to go outside. Toby has always liked to go out (he stays close not a wonderer) but I just noticed he seems to want out even when feeling bad.. I just wonder if the muggy florida weather is bad for him and I shouldn't let him. I haven't let him stay out very long and I make sure I'm home and watch him but I wonder if the fresh air is helping him. I usually let him when it's night or cooled off .

Dows anybody have any suggestions on how their kitty acted and whay they were treated with as far as meds atc. Anyone have any suggestions on how to help their appetite ? Thank you. I am so worried sick over this. Toby is my best friend and my kid. (I can't have kids) I just want the best for him please help

I'm so sorry that your furbaby has been diagnosed with this .   It's always hard when things like this happen.  Believe me, I know.  I'm on my third kidney cat at the moment .  I admit, though, that I don't have any experience with heart issues.  My best friends dog had CHF, however, and she lived where it was humid, and tried not to take him outside in the heat for very long when the humidity was up, simply because it made it harder for him to breathe. 

As far as Toby's appetite goes, one of the side effects of his new medication is vomiting, so I would guess he just doesn't feel up to eating much.  (I wouldn't if I felt sick to my stomach).  Another side effect is listlessness.  Here is the website I am getting my info from:   http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&C=301&A=3381&S=0.  So, you might talk to his Vet about perhaps a different medication, or an anti-emetic.  I would definitely discuss my concerns with how he  is laying/sitting, appetite, etc., including  whether or not to let him outside. 

Hi, and welcome to TCS I'm sorry its under such sad circumstances

I lost a cat to CHF early last year, and am currently dealing with a dog with the same condition.

Cali (cat) was pretty bad when he was diagnosed, and he had a big fluid build up too. He was on prednisone (steroid) and furosemide (diuretic) at the start, and had vit B12 injections periodically to help boost his appetite. When these by themselves weren't keeping him comfortable we moved on to inhaler steroids given with an AeroKat. This was alongside the oral steroids. Nearer the end, we introduced an inhaler that had a small amount of bronchodilator as well as the steroid. He also needed oxygen a couple of times.

Something to be aware of is that CHF causes a decreased appetite in most cases. Add to that the fact that when his breathing isn't so good he'll (1) not have the breath to eat and/or (2) struggle to be able to breathe with his head in the eating position. With Cali, I had to hand feed him a lot of the time, bringing food up to his mouth morsel by morsel. He'd actually often have quite an appetite that way, but it could easily take me 20-30 mins to feed him...something I'd repeat several times a day. When the lack of appetite kicked in, I was told it was far more important to get something into him than it was that that food was complete & balanced cat food. Fresh cooked chicken breast was a big hit, as was fresh turkey. I'd bake these covered in water, and would offer the resulting liquid alongside to keep him hydrated.

You do have to be careful about too much heat - you're doing the right thing to only let Toby out at the coolest times of day. Other than that, let him do what he wants too. Its important that he still gets to do things he enjoys (insofar as he can).

I'm so sorry you're going through this. CHF is an evil disease. Enjoy the good days - I hope Toby has many of them.