cardiomyopathy and eating issues

Hi everyone. 

We are coping with bad news.

Our gorgeous, cuddly 4 year old male cat, Panda, just received a Dx of HCM one week ago, after a bout of lethargy/not eating that sent us to the emergency vet 2 days in a row.  while there overnight, his BP dropped very low, but then rebounded the next morning (after we feared the worst).   when we got him home from emergency vet, he seemed to be faring better on the new meds (plavix + dieuretic, to start) and was eating again for the first time in about 4 days.  Now, one week later, he's has lost his appetite again.  I hate to assist feed him but see no other way.  I also dont want to drag him back and forth to vet when he seems so miserable already.

now the question is, how to get food into him in the gentlest way possible. if anyone has advice here, greatly appreciated.

I am not ready to let him go -- we lost his sister, last year, at age 3.5 from liver cancer.

sad in California.

If it's a long term problem with not eating, sometimes an e-tube is the best way.  Here is an article by Dr. Kris, a veterinarian in Canada.  I'm not sure how well a cat with HCM would take the anesthesia, but it's a short simple procedure and much better than forcing food into him.  Sometimes, when they don't eat, it's because they are ready to leave us, and in that case the kindest thing is to allow them that choice.  I hope your guy starts feeling better soon.

http://www.iwillhelpyourcat.com/blog/2015/3/8/feeding-cats-that-wont-eat-at-all-pina-the-e-tube

red top, thanks so much. good news:  Panda is eating much better on his own, and feeling more comfortable.

now the issue is his meds: a blood re-check shows his kidney levels sky high from the plavix + furosemide, after just 2 weeks.      so I stopped them immediately pending our next vet appointment.  

Im sure its common for a cat to get prescribed a standard level of new medicine, and the have trouble processing them - it's not rocket science.  the meds were prescribed by a cardiologist as a routine response to his ultrasound.

any experience with this aspect - medicine/kidney balance?

Pandas mom in SF

 I am a human doctor, not a vet.   However in humans, Plavix is a platelet inhibitor to prevent blood clots from forming and Furosemide is a diuretic to enable passage of excess fluid (oedema) from the tissues, when there is impaired heart capacity..  I am not sure what you mean by "his kidney levels sky high", do you mean his serum creatinine and blood urea are elevated?  If so neither Plavix nor the diuretic are known to cause elevation of these substances in humans, nor I suspect in cats. It is likely that they are elevated from another cause. You should discuss the blood levels with your vet as soon as possible.

With best wishes,

Geoffrey

KatnissCA said:

now the issue is his meds: a blood re-check shows his kidney levels sky high from the plavix + furosemide, after just 2 weeks.      so I stopped them immediately pending our next vet appointment.  

Im sure its common for a cat to get prescribed a standard level of new medicine, and the have trouble processing them - it's not rocket science.  the meds were prescribed by a cardiologist as a routine response to his ultrasound.

any experience with this aspect - medicine/kidney balance?

Pandas mom in SF

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It's NEVER a good idea to stop meds without veterinary advice - especially with things like HCM. Furosemide is given to prevent fluid build up, especially on the lungs. I've had an HCF cat, and am now dealing with a dog with the same condition. Fluid on the lungs is one of the biggest issues with heart disease, and one that majorly impacts the ability to breathe. It quickly becomes a vicious circle - cat can't breathe deeply; fluid collects on the lungs; cat struggles to breathe even more; fluid build up increases etc. It's VITAL to stick with the meds unless the vet says otherwise. Furosemide will have been prescribed because the vet either heard a fluid build up on examination, or saw/heard one on the ultrasound.

I do understand the worry and fear, but keeping Panda breathing comfortably has to be the priority. That's the most immediate danger to his life.

I'm so, so sorry you're having to deal with this. Heart disease is a bitch, and is so cruel to watch. I really hope Panda's doing OK today, and continues to eat well :cross:

thank you so much geoffrey. we are seeing a specialist today, taking the full lab report too.

thanks columbine.  I spoke to the vet specialist over the weekend and started up the meds again.  they also said the blood levels were mildly elevated (BUN, CREAT).  other levels were elevated too (WBC). we are headed to see a specialist today to go over next steps.  overall he is feeling really good, happy + comfortable + eating.  something to be thankful for.