Omelette has fluid on lungs hard to see what kind of tumor she has..

Fluid in lungs can be a heart problem or heart failure. But without a proper work up its going to be impossible to know. I think ultimately if your financial situation wont allow you to follow through with proper vet care you should give her peace so she doesn't suffer because that fluid will likely continue to come back. 

kittylove53 said:

 
Hi everyone! Happy New Year! Christmas Day I noticed my darling Torti Calli Omelette was breathing in a labored way. This came on suddenly. Having had kitties for many years I knew this was a disaster.Being on a  tight  budget this was a nightmare . I am on S.S.I. The vets here in upstate New York are very expensive.Also being on the holiday, not any were around.I called the Humane Society for help. They work with the only close by vet in the town of Port Jervis near me. I had some previous issues with them before, and they would not see Omelette, but I have to wait until Tues to see if the manager will take funding from the Humane Society. I found another vet in Campbell Hall a town about 25 miles from me. A cat lady friend took me there.I told the vet my financial situation. We decided on an x-ray for her. He said she had fluid around her lungs . Draining it would cost more,so he gave her a shot to help drain it ,some pills and I  took her home. At least I did not hear put her to sleep. That vet near me would have said that!Omelette is around six years old! I know this must have been in her for a long time. Having so little money is a giant problem. She was a rescue kitty from people who did not take any care of her and were going to put her out.I could not let that happen. She was pregnant,but we didn't know it until I saw it. I fed her the best food I could provide. She had six healthy kittens. She was a wonderful cat mommy. I am so very depressed over all of this. She is a wonderful kitty,loving good in every way deserving of a full and happy life. She fills my every day with love and joy. I am 63, and my kitties keep me alive. I just can not believe this is her fate. I hand feed her, give her Nutra-cal, and brush her to make her comfortable. The pills have helped her breathing.I will not give in to this awful disease. I intend to take her to the other vet if funding is  possible. I want to see what they could do.I love this kitty so very much and do not know what I will do.I know this was a long post. Thank you for reading it. All of us face these trials, when we take into our harts a loving animal.I will let everyone know what happens.

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What she needs to have done is for the fluid to be drained, giving her much needed relief, and a sample sent to a lab for analysis, which will tell you what has caused the fluid accumulating in her lungs.

I hate to say but the most common causes for this are heart failure and cancer. So try to prepare in case, I know too well how much your kitty means to you, most if not all of us here do, but despite how badly it hurts, we have to do what is best for them.

I wish you luck with this and you are in my thoughts, please update when you can.

Apply for CARE credit.

There is no credit check and no interest low monthly pmts.

Apply online and you will be given an answer right then and a number that is your acct number and can be used right away.

catwoman707 said:

 
Apply for CARE credit.

There is no credit check and no interest low monthly pmts.

Apply online and you will be given an answer right then and a number that is your acct number and can be used right away.

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Yes, If it's something you think you can do, check it out. It won't hurt to at least see if you qualify. However keep in mind the no interest is for a certain time period only.

That's why I still have quite a balance with them. although I wouldn't change it for anything. It allowed me to get the help Angel needed when he had cystitis, but unfortunately, it happened again before I could pay it off, and follow up visits, follow up ultrasounds, etc.. add up fast!  

Had it not happened again, I would have used that same payment to get insurance, but then couldn't afford to. 

You just have to do what's right for you, & for your baby.      

I know being on a fixed income is hard. Think about starting a fund raiser, like I suggested in our PM's. If anything it can hopefully help get a clear diagnosis for you. 

Continuing to pray for you. 

I just looked up my vet receipts, last month I had this done at an expensive vet, cost was $77. for fluid removal and $192. for it to be sent to a lab and analyzed for diagnosis.

So while it may be too much for you to squeeze out at one time, the monthly would be quite low pmts with care credit.

I would not wait to have this done, time is of the essence as at the point where there is pleural effusion/fluid in lung space whatever the cause is has become advanced.

Don't give up hope until you know what it is you are dealing with here.

catwoman707 said:

 
I just looked up my vet receipts, last month I had this done at an expensive vet, cost was $77. for fluid removal and $192. for it to be sent to a lab and analyzed for diagnosis.

So while it may be too much for you to squeeze out at one time, the monthly would be quite low pmts with care credit.

I would not wait to have this done, time is of the essence as at the point where there is pleural effusion/fluid in lung space whatever the cause is has become advanced.

Don't give up hope until you know what it is you are dealing with here.

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I agree.

kittylove53 said:

 
Thank you both for your words of advice,and reading this. I also know that it isn't her heart,and is therefor cancer. If I can get some financial assistance, I will get the remainder of the fluid removed and lab tested.Whatever I can do to make her comfortable I will attempt to do. I will keep posting on her progress. Thank you both again.

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Hi

How do you know its cancer and not heart disease?  Was a tumor visible on x-ray?

Please do not give her chili peppers.. That is not a good thing to do.. Please..do not do so..

I am sorry about your monetary issues.. this baby does need some treatment..

but no chili peppers!! I cannot imagine how it must burn and feel to her...

I am sorry, but I do not have any ideas...can you contact the ASPCA for some help?? they may know of a fund..

kittylove53 said:

 
I took her to a vet he took an x-ray said fluid around lungs was  preventing seeing where the tumor was. 

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I'm not quite sure i understand how there is a cancer diagnosis without seeing the tumor.  Fluid in the lungs is usually connected to heart disease.  In any case please DO NOT give her chili pepper, this will make her uncomfortable and has no benefit.  Your reading poor sources of information.

Barbara,
Please DO NOT give her chilli powder.
It is not safe for cats.
Google it & much will come up. I know you are trying to help her, but that is not safe.


The Potato Family includes plants such as potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and chillies all of which contain a toxic substance called Glycoalkanoid Solamine which can be poisonous to cats. The raw leaves and stems of these plants can cause aggressive lower gastrointestinal pain if eaten by your cat.
Toxic Plants For Cats - Betty the Butterfly's Blog - A-Z Animals - ...

kittylove53 said:

 
I heard on the news yesterday that chili peppers kill cancer cells. I have put some  chili powder into her food.

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What you heard on the news was likely promising medical treatment for Humans. Cats and other pets metabolize many Human foods and medicines very differently and some foods and medicines are even toxic to cats. Please never give your cat anything at all without asking a vet first. I know you just want to help your cat but giving your cat things that you hear on the Human medical segement of the news will likely do more harm than good.

How much chili powder did you give? if you see your cat having any kind of reaction or behavior (drooling, pawing at mouth, etc) you  need to take your cat to a vet ASAP for treatment. Chili powder is often used as a deterrent to keep cats and other animals away from gardens, outside trash cans, etc. It's a very irritating susbtance, like getting mace epper spray in your eyes.

Here is an article about how to afford vetcare: http://www.thecatsite.com/a/no-money-for-vet-care-how-to-find-help-and-save-your-cats-life Are there any low cost vet clinics in your area?

kittylove53,

Is it possible for you to ask family members or close friends for monetary assistance and pay them back later or over time?

While Carecredit is an option ( http://www.carecredit.com/vetmed/  ), please be advised that if you have good credit, you can likely be approved using your SSI as your income on the application, but understand that the no-interest is on a limited term, meaning:  if your vet charges for example, 250.00, you would have possibly 6 months to pay in full, yet still be required to make at least the minimum payment each month.  If you don't have the charges paid in full by the term's end, you will be required to pay the full amount PLUS retroactive interest from the initial charge (and their interest rate is very high, it should be noted in the application/agreement process) - thus perhaps the alternative of asking friends or family for monetary assistance and paying them back over time.  Also, most people are initially approved for small amounts, so if that were the case, you can call them 24 hours after approval to ask for a credit limit increase - this is all depending on how much you know you can afford to pay it off within 6 months.  Some vets allow a longer term, but I think the majority use the 6-month term.  Also be sure to use Carecredit's "find a provider" in the veterinary section to make sure the vet you go to accepts Carecredit, before you apply.

The fluid in the lungs may or may not be associated with heart disease.  Pneumonia could be the cause, as could anemia, toxin of some sort, infection, viral, respiratory problem or obstruction, etc.  If fluids obscured any other view of the lungs, the fluid must be relieved/removed and a new xray done to visualize the lungs better in order to determine the next step.  Blood work could also be done to determine infection, blood counts, etc.

The lasix (furosamide) will help reduce the fluid to some extent, but it may also need to be removed via needle aspiration (relatively painless and provides much needed relief).  Oxygen therapy in the vet clinic can also help considerably if needed.  If the heart is affected, fluid removal, continued lasix and heart medications may be necessary.  If pneumonia, lasix, possibly antibiotic therapy and rest/monitorization and other measures can help her recover from pneumonia.  Blood work, or evaluation of the fluid can help determine what is causing it and the potential remedy.  Don't automatically assume cancer when it very well might not be.

I would definitely start with fluid removal and evaluation of the fluid, and continue lasix if the vet advises - the fluid evaluation might tell you much more on how to proceed. 

I hope you can find financial assistance and get your sweet little girl diagnosed, treated and feeling better, but time is of the essence!

And, no to the chili peppers/powder - you wouldn't use this for yourself in a case of illness, don't use it for your cats.  There is a lot of misinformation out there, be careful, and always talk to your vet about  things you hear!  Cats cannot metabolize hundreds of compounds, your vet is their best advocate!

To Stephen Q,

     Thank you so very much for your advise.I will stop giving her Cayenne supplement. The vet I went to said her heart was fine.I know that another x-ray would provide more information as to the cause of the fluid buildup. It will be expensive with my terrible budget,I can not even get credit care.I could never pay the monthly fee.It is such a frustrating situation. The labored breathing presented itself on Christmas Day when all the area vets were indisposed. Even so the vets up here in Orange County N.Y.are very expensive.I do understand that it is a business, and they are not there to give charity.I also know that any further treatment, if it truly is cancer ,would involve chemo,blood work, and extensive testing.Even with all of this there are no certainties of a cure.I am presently giving her Lasix twice daily,hand feeding her, and trying to make her as comfortable as possible. I am trying to help boost her immune system with Nutra- Cal for cats that a helpful animal lover gave to me in the complex where I live. I will not give up trying to help her.She has given me four years of love and affection.I want to do the best for her.She is a Totri-Cali with a short tail,and is about six.She is so precious.I am at my wits end!I want to save her life.Thank you so very much for your concern.I will continue to post on her condition. When she ate some dry food the other night I was quite surprised.I thought she only was eating when I hand feed her,and she also drinks by herself.I wish that I had more knowledge,as to what I could do.She wants to hide under the bed most of the time.It makes it so hard to give her the pill on time. I now have put her into her carrier where she seems content.I thank you again for being there,and taking the time to help.