I posted not long ago about the colour of Pumpkin's poop and weight loss. I finally got him to the vet's today and found that his thyroid is ok, as well as the rest of his bloodwork. His weight has stablised for now but the vet said it sounded like he had an irregular heart rhythm. Otherwise, he was acting normally. Pumpkin didn't show any signs of possible heart issues.
We both discussed that it's most likely that his being inactive a couple of weeks ago was due to constipation, which he's had off and on since I adopted him about 10 years ago. She suggested that if possible, that I take him to a cat cardiologist. The closest one is in Syracuse, NY.
I'd hate to put him through more tests. He HATES going to the vet, esp. needles. I could hear him howl out back while they did this and I wanted to cry. I'm glad his thyroid is ok, but now I have this new worry and am having trouble coping, partly because of my own health issues, esp. anxiety. I've been having small panic attacks off and on today, including on the bus on the way to the vet and at the vet's office.
She offered to prescribe a certain medication and I can't even remember the name of it but I told her I would feel better if any heart-related meds be prescribed by that cardiologist she referred to. I wasn't trying to insult her but I need to be absolutely certain that anything like that is something he really needs.
Can cats have irregular heartbeats due to anxiety, like people? I've been a nervous wreck - especially today - regarding this appointment and he probably picked up on that. Not only was I nervous about today's appointment, I was upset with the bus company for screwing around with the pickup time yet again. They've done this to me before.
The last trip to the vet (same practice but different town) was nerve-wracking because the bus driver was driving erratically. I was a nervous wreck during that trip and when the vet checked Pumpkin, she seemed to think he was breathing funny, possibly due to anxiety but she said nothing about an irregular heart beat. On the way home the second driver slammed his brakes at an intersection near our apartment. I was thrown from my wheelchair and fortunately wasn't seriously injured. Pumpkin was on a nearby bus seat when this happened and didn't get hurt at all.
Pumpkin is around 13 or so. Is heart disease common in senior cats? If he has heart trouble, how much will it cost to have this diagnosed and treated? I don't mind spending money on him....Pumpkin is worth every penny but I'm worried that a cardiologist cat bill would be far more than I can afford to spend, as much as I want to.[
I want him to live as long a life as possible. I have to admit that I am now once again nervous because of his health. I've got serious health problems of my own to contend with.
What can I do? Right now I feel like screaming because I am so scared for the both of us.
Thank you.
We both discussed that it's most likely that his being inactive a couple of weeks ago was due to constipation, which he's had off and on since I adopted him about 10 years ago. She suggested that if possible, that I take him to a cat cardiologist. The closest one is in Syracuse, NY.
I'd hate to put him through more tests. He HATES going to the vet, esp. needles. I could hear him howl out back while they did this and I wanted to cry. I'm glad his thyroid is ok, but now I have this new worry and am having trouble coping, partly because of my own health issues, esp. anxiety. I've been having small panic attacks off and on today, including on the bus on the way to the vet and at the vet's office.
She offered to prescribe a certain medication and I can't even remember the name of it but I told her I would feel better if any heart-related meds be prescribed by that cardiologist she referred to. I wasn't trying to insult her but I need to be absolutely certain that anything like that is something he really needs.
Can cats have irregular heartbeats due to anxiety, like people? I've been a nervous wreck - especially today - regarding this appointment and he probably picked up on that. Not only was I nervous about today's appointment, I was upset with the bus company for screwing around with the pickup time yet again. They've done this to me before.
The last trip to the vet (same practice but different town) was nerve-wracking because the bus driver was driving erratically. I was a nervous wreck during that trip and when the vet checked Pumpkin, she seemed to think he was breathing funny, possibly due to anxiety but she said nothing about an irregular heart beat. On the way home the second driver slammed his brakes at an intersection near our apartment. I was thrown from my wheelchair and fortunately wasn't seriously injured. Pumpkin was on a nearby bus seat when this happened and didn't get hurt at all.
Pumpkin is around 13 or so. Is heart disease common in senior cats? If he has heart trouble, how much will it cost to have this diagnosed and treated? I don't mind spending money on him....Pumpkin is worth every penny but I'm worried that a cardiologist cat bill would be far more than I can afford to spend, as much as I want to.[
I want him to live as long a life as possible. I have to admit that I am now once again nervous because of his health. I've got serious health problems of my own to contend with.
What can I do? Right now I feel like screaming because I am so scared for the both of us.
Thank you.