My boy is a 3 year old, 22 pound yellow tabby named Butters. He's not overweight, he's a very large framed cat. He was neutered at about 5 months and had his rabies shot. He looks and acts healthy as an ox up until about 2 weeks ago. I'd noticed a few times after playing hard his breathing was heavier than it was in my other cats. I didn't think much about it because it was only a few, occasional times and seemed related to his size and his activity at the time. About a week and a half ago I was doing the "cat check" before bed and found him on the quest bed breathing very heavily. My husband was at work and we only have the one car so I phoned a friend and asked for a ride to the emergency vet (which I hate to go to because I've had issues with them and they seem only interested in the cash period, not caring for the animal much at all). Before my friend arrived Butters had begun to breathe normally and was looking out the window. My husband would be getting off in about an hour so I felt like we could make it to then so I could go to my regular vet. Butters had not been in a car or travelled at all since his neutering so he became very scared in the car and his breathing became very labored. Shortly after arriving at the vet we noticed his nose and mouth getting a blue tint so I went to the desk and asked for immediate attention. He was taken to the oxygen tank and kept there about 2 to 3 hours before he was able to be examined. The vet did not think he would even make it at this time. He was given an xray which showed fluid, his chest was tapped of 300ccs and it was sent off to be tested. An ultrasound was done and his heart looked at and well as searching for any masses or tumors. Nothing showed up but of course the fluid hinders getting a very good view. The "heart" vet felt his heart looked good and saw nothing of concern. No masses or tumors either. We are waiting to get a better xray and ultrasound but unfortunately have not been able to yet. He stayed at the vet all that day and we brought him home that evening. He seemed tired but not really sick or uncomfortable. Two days laters I felt his breathing was elevated so I took him back and 75ccs was drained this time. He seemed to feel even better after this for a couple of days then his breathing was up again and about 170ccs was drained yesterday. Since then he is very tired, is just resting all the time. He will get up to eat and drink, to use the litterbox and to be petted. He wants to drink constantly and seems to be extremely thirsty. He has been sneezing alot, one eye is having clear drainage and he seems congested in his nose a bit. I'm taking him back to the vet tomorrow but I'm feeling hopeless here. It seems like there is not much info on the condition and what I find is all bad. I tracked down Rutin at a medical supply store and will be picking it up tomorrow. I'm trying to pick out the best low fat food but I could use some advice on which is best. Also I have three other kitties and they will have to share the same food. They are indoors and it's a small house so feeding them all separate would be pretty complicated. This is all new to me and I really don't know what I can do to help my kitty. He is only three and he is the sweetest loving cat, it's breaking my heart. Any info or advice would be so appreciated. I'm sorry this is so long and thank you for taking time to read it, I just don't know the best course of action to take and I want to do the best I can for him.