Cat Just Diagnosed with CHF

Hi, I'm new to this forum, but I'm really worried about my cat, Rosie, who was just diagnosed with CHF(congestive heart failure) yesterday.  We took her to the emergency and they gave her several Lasix injections and put her in an oxygen take. We then took her home, and I have been watching her like a hawk.   She is on three meds a day for the rest of her life, but I haven't seen any improvement in the last 24 hours.  Has anyone else had this experience?  If so, does it take longer than a day to start seeing improvements?

Thank you so much,

Rosie's Mom

I'm so sorry for Rosie's diagnosis.    Since you haven't rec'd any response until now, I'm guessing you have contacted your Vet and asked their advice?  Not knowing exactly what Rosie's symptoms ARE, it's hard to say, but I'm guessing she's out of breath?  It's possible her meds need adjusting, since you aren't seeing any improvement.  Ifyou haven't checked with your Vet,I would definitely do so.



Having had three chronically ill cats over the years, I know how devastating the diagnosis is   We're here for you and Rosie

Hello, welcome to the Forum. 

I am a human doctor, not a vet and any advice that I give about a cat should be checked with a vet.  However congestive heart failure is a condition caused by the muscles of the heart being impaired by illness so that they cannot pump the blood around the body.  Fluid collects in the tissues, lungs and abdomen and the main symptom is shortness of breath. 

Lasix causes the kidneys to increase the flow of urine, thus reducing the amount of fluid in the lungs and tissues.  You have not mentioned the names of the other medications but the rate of improvement varies according to the dosage of the medications and the severity of the heart failure.  

I do not practice veterinary medicine and, as the cat has not improved following at least a day after discharge from the veterinary surgery,  I recommend that you contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

With all best wishes,

Geoffrey

Thank you Mrs. GreenJeens.  I have taken Rosie to the vet and she basically said to keep giving the meds and to give it a few more days.  She also has a sinus/respiratory issue that is further complicating her breathing, so it's hard to know which is causing the difficulty breathing.  She is extremely lethargic and isn't eating much.  The vet gave her a 12-18 month prognosis, but I'm wondering if she's going to get better to get to that.  The vet didn't seem to have an answer for that.

Aside from that I really appreciate your support.  Our cats are our family!

Thank you, Geoffrey!  I appreciate your feedback.  She is on lasix, a heart strengthener, and a blood thinner. Do you think her doses should be raised?

lammypants said:

 
Thank you, Geoffrey!  I appreciate your feedback.  She is on lasix, a heart strengthener, and a blood thinner. Do you think her doses should be raised?

Click to expand...

No. I don't believe that you should change the dosage without discussing your cat with your vet, and, specifically, you should never increase the blood thinner without the vet's permission. 

As  I wrote in my last post, you should contact your vet as soon as possible.

With best wishes,

Geoffrey.

I'm very sorry to hear of the diagnosis. My Thomas had CHF. He was given a definite diagnosis after seeing a cardiologist. He was 16 at the time of diagnosis. Before he actually saw a cardiologist, he was given only Lasix and Enalapril, but his breathing was still labored. I ended up taking him to an emergency vet and they had his chest tapped. After seeing a cardiologist he was started on two diuretics, Lasix and Spironolactone. He was also put on Benazepril (he did not do well on Enalapril) and Vetmedin. He did very well on these meds for 9 months and passed away in the summer of 2015. During those 9 months he had a very good quality of life and was his normal self. He deteriorated only in the last week before he died. He was the sweetest cat and was a very good boy with taking his Meds and his vet visits.

If your baby doesn't improve, you should take him to the vet. He may need to have a chest tap to remove the fluid.

Sending hugs and prayers to your boy.