Cat Update

[calliopes_pen]

Apparently, there were two types of tests they could have done to check the cat’s heart. One was just doing the X-ray to see. The other was something that would have hurt her, and cost $1800. Dad refused to do the one that would have hurt her, and I have no idea what that test even was—but the X-ray was easier on her, and got the same result.

Dad was doing some reading online, and found a mention of a liquid called NHV Hearty Heart For Cat Heart Disease. Apparently, it’s a sort of natural medicine that helps them, as an alternative to any drugs. Dad just wondered if it actually worked. Anyone on my friends list know?

And now to something freaky—it would appear that Toby (neighbor’s dog—he and my cat are very close) is somehow linked to my cat. Starting on Sunday, he became hysterical. Howling, and pulling at his leash as hard as he could, as though he wanted to get to her for some reason. At the time, we didn’t know she was sick yet. Dad brought the cat over, and he was immediately calm. They sat there and stared at each other, and she meowed once before leaving. Monday, we went to see him—he wasn’t acting right. He did a strange yelping, and kept trying to go in the direction of our house, and—for the first time ever—whimpered for five minutes straight.

When I asked if he wanted to see the cat, he started howling. Yesterday, the second he saw us he became even more hysterical. He tugged at my shoes, and did this very strange mumbling/whining. Then jumped on me and tugged at my shirt. Then ran in circles, and kept crying. Rhonda (his owner) came outside at that point, and at each point when we said the cat was sick, he started howling. It took the three of us rubbing him to get him even vaguely calmed down, but only for a moment.

Also on Sunday, Rhonda says she let him off the leash. Normally, he immediately jumps the fence just to mess with everyone. Instead, he ran to the gate and watched our house with this sad look. So...we're guessing he can sense something is wrong with her, the same way he can sense when a storm is coming.

In regards to how the cat is doing at this moment, her breathing was worse right before she went out to the garage for the night. This morning, however, she seems a little more alert, her breathing is better (more than yesterday, at least—she still does the labored breathing, though) and she actually ate a little tuna. Mom was worried yesterday, because she didn’t use the litter box—with the water pill, she should. She’s okay on that front, though—during the night, she used it more than once, for two things. And she drank her water.

Comments

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

I quite believe Toby knew she was ill if they're that close. Cats and dogs can certainly sense when people are ill so I don't see why it should be true of other animals too.

Glad to hear she's getting some food and drink, even if it's only a little.

[sandy-s.livejournal.com]

*HUGS* No idea about the natural remedies...but good luck figuring out the right treatment for your kitty. I hope she feels better soon! And how amazing that Toby is so close to your kitty!!! Awww...did he sem to feel better when he saw the kitty? Maybe you could arrange another visit to reassure him. Pets are so smart.

[calliopes_pen]

He definitely felt better the moment he could see her. He actually wagged his tail at that point.

In the past, they've usually nuzzled through the gate, and rolled around on each side, just to mess with each other--but they stop the rolling the second they realize they're being watched by someone. Or, if he's being stupid, she slaps him across the face, and hisses once--he wags his tail in response.

[sandy-s.livejournal.com]

That is SO adorable that they roll around for each other! :o) Did you ever try to get a picture? lol

And heh...love that she slaps him and his tail wags.

[calliopes_pen]

Whenever anyone tried, they immediately looked away from the camera, and she closed her eyes. And pretended being that playful was beneath her. She used to let him lick her once on the cheek, too. More than that, and it's another slap--which seemed to make him happy.

[bigsciencybrain.livejournal.com]

Poor kitty. :( Hope she continues to get better.

[yamx]

I'm glad the cat seems to be doing better. I hope she keeps improving!

[kkglinka.livejournal.com]

*steps in reluctantly* Congestive heart failure is terminal. The second test, probably to draw fluid from the lungs, would have tested for an aggressive infection accelerating the cardiomyopathy. Any medications, regardless of source, will merely delay heart failure. The lasix is a diuretic meant to help reduce fluid build-up around her heart, which further restricts her ability to breath and puts strain on the heart... weakening it further. I believe the second medication is for the arrhythmia that typically occurs with cardiomyopathy.

I realize this isn't what you want to hear. Your cat's going to die but with medication and timely intervention, heart failure will be delayed. Whenever you notice she goes into accelerated heart failure, hie to the vet. It will be far less painful for her than gradual asphyxiation.

[calliopes_pen]

No, I already knew since Dad asked a few questions of the vet, and reported back everything he could remember from that. We've already planned that if she seems to be in extreme distress from that, we'll put her to sleep.

When she starts to get really bad, she's going to the vet immediately. And apparently, there's also the risk that if there's a blood clot, it would be in the legs--when or if that happens, she will immediately be put to sleep, too.

[kkglinka.livejournal.com]

*nods* Ace went out with a coronary because he went into advanced failure on a Sunday and the closest vet was over twenty miles away. He got mad in the car, threw a fit and died very quickly. *sigh* Anyway, the medications the vet gave you are probably the safest and best route to keep her comfortable. Any natural remedy claiming to be a cure is bogus.

[calliopes_pen]

Thank you. The natural remedy thing is something I really wondered about--I was skeptical, and Dad just wanted to know if it was worth it. I'll tell him they don't work.

[evilawyer.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear about your cat. Are you having to control her fluid intake along with the diuretic so she doesn't get too much like in humans? As for your neighbor-dog, animals are so very sensitive it makes you wonder why humans can't be the same way.

[calliopes_pen]

We've been keeping an eye on it, and she hasn't tried to drink more than she did when she was healthy, at this point.

And with that dog, I'm told he also went berserk back right around the moment when I went to the hospital with the ulcer. Kept escaping and sniffing around our driveway over the next 2 weeks, trying to find my scent, apparently. So he just knows when anything isn't right.

Mom's thinking that if he had found my scent and tracked where I was, there would have been a dog spotted in ICU.