cat has heart murmer/update3
jean
type the report as and a list of the medications that are recommended.
I would appreciate any input and or additional information as I am pretty
ignorant in this field.
Here is the report:
We have evaluated the thoracic radiographs, ECG, and echocardiogram on this
2 year old cat with a history of tiring easily. The chest readiographs
showed cardiomogaly with an increased left atrium. The ECG showed tall
R-waves suggestive of cardiac enlargement. The echocardiogram did reaveal
an enlarged left atrium and a thickened left ventricular wall consistent
with hyperstrophic cardiomyopathy.
Recommendation:
1. Begin Atenolol 25 mg 1 per day
2. Begin Enacard 1mg 1 per day
3. One baby aspirin every 3 days to prevent clots
4. Continue Lasix 12.5 mg 2 per day
end of report.
I fear giving all these medications because Spot is very sensitive to drugs
and his vet seems to be concerned too, but these recommendations came from
the cardiologist reading the tests.
Unfortunately, my laptop had to go back to compaq for more repairs so I set
up a temporary account on a friends computer. I will try and check back
soon. You can email me at je...@hiwaay.net
I'm still don't know what to expect. Will he be in pain? Will I be able to
tell if he is in pain? How long can I expect him to live? etc. All I can
get from the local vets is, it's a serious condition with no cure.
Thanks.
Jean
Phil P.
I've thought about you and Spot often, not hearing from you, I feared
the worst. I'm very much relieved.
The reports could have been more detailed, however, usually when the
echos are so brief, its a very good sign. The medications that were
prescribed are those of choice for HCM, and should (probably will)
keep Spot's condition under control. Be sure you do not miss *any*
doses, otherwise Spot's condition can deteriorate.
This may sound strange, but these results are good news! You caught
it IN TIME! You have certainly saved Spot's life! The main reason
why so many cats die from HCM is because its usually discovered too
late and was left untreated for too long. I know, personally, of
several cats that were diagnosed with HCM at Spot's age, and a few
just a little older, who are doing just fine today - and they were
diagnosed with HCM 6+ years ago!
The only advice I can offer is to avoid stressful situations and limit
his physical activities. As far as pilling Spot, put the pills in a
treat (small piece of roast beef or turkey), make up three treats
total. Give Spot the first treat (without the pills) but let him see
you holding the second treat (with the pills). He should chomp down
the first treat in a hurry to get the second treat (with the pills).
As you're giving him the second treat, let him see you holding the
third treat (without the pills). He should chomp down the second treat
(with the pills) in a hurry to get the third treat. Then give him the
third treat to mask any taste of the pills in the second treat. This
little trick has worked for me for 30 years! Never failed. Its *very*
important that he does not miss any medications.
Spot will be just fine! You saved his life by catching and treating it
in time!
Thank you so much for the update!
My very best wishes,
Phil.
--
"How long does a cat stretch?
From one end of my life to the other"
Feline Healthcare - http://maxshouse.com
jean <je...@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:n%Y14.95$417....@typ12.nn.bcandid.com...
Carone
> I finally got Spot's echocardiogram and I have the results. <snip>
Jean,
We found a compounding pharmacist for veterinary rx. Lou also has
cardiomyopathy and is on Atenolol. We have it compounded in liquid form and she
can have it chicken or beef flavoured. Since we found this pharmacist, Lou
doesn't fight us at all at med time. She is on 5 mg. of Elavil also to keep her
calm (not on your list) and we put it into a wee dab of hair ball goop, and she
accepts it just fine, then we squirt the 1 ml. of liquid flavoured Atenolol and
she thinks she's getting a treat. Just something for you to consider.
Carone
--
Please use car...@home.com
tom
This is Jean on a friends computer. <g> I just look different.
I just wanted to tell you how very much I appreciate your help. I think it
is you who has saved Spot's life because of your knowledgable advice. I
have had to go against the recommendations of the local vets here to get
these tests done. They have not said this, but the little grins and casual
remarks let me know that they think I am just a silly woman. People in this
area apparently don't take very good care of their cats. So, thanks again.
I am so grateful for your help and advice and for everyone else here who
responded as well.
So far Spot is doing good and I have seen no adverse affects from the
medicines. The limiting physical activity is going to be a problem.
I crushed all the pills up together and put them in a bite of tuna, he
wolfed it right down and never knew that it was medicine. He has been so
good to let me cram the lasix down his throat, but he will be happier this
way. He is a wonderful cat and we love him dearly and hope that we will be
able to keep him for a long time.
Your message was heart lifting and promising because I wasn't given much
hope from the locals.
I will visit back when I get my computer back.
Jean
Phil P. <ph...@maxshouse.com> wrote in message
news:82a3nb$4ih$1...@bgtnsc01.worldnet.att.net...
Phil P.
tom <va...@hiwaay.net> wrote in message
news:RKu24.12714$Tp.3...@typ11.nn.bcandid.com...
> Hi Phil,
> This is Jean on a friends computer. <g> I just look different.
Nope! You didn't fool me, I recognized you! You can't hide such a
bright light.
> I just wanted to tell you how very much I appreciate your help. I
think it
> is you who has saved Spot's life because of your knowledgable
advice.
I merely gave you the map - you charted and navagated the course!
Your relentless love, dedication and determination is what saved
Spot's life.
I
> have had to go against the recommendations of the local vets here to
get
> these tests done. They have not said this, but the little grins and
casual
> remarks let me know that they think I am just a silly woman.
Don't be concerned, in the least, about them . "Credentials" don't
always mean "competency" - one can exist without the other. Anytime
you feel like a "silly woman", listen to Spot purr! You'll quickly
realize its they who are silly (more like ignorant).
People in this
> area apparently don't take very good care of their cats. So, thanks
again.
> I am so grateful for your help and advice and for everyone else here
who
> responded as well.
Its a great bunch! You'll never find a group of more ardent cat lovers
and kind, compassionate and helpful friends! I know I haven't.
> So far Spot is doing good and I have seen no adverse affects from
the
> medicines. The limiting physical activity is going to be a problem.
> I crushed all the pills up together and put them in a bite of tuna,
he
> wolfed it right down and never knew that it was medicine. He has
been so
> good to let me cram the lasix down his throat, but he will be
happier this
> way. He is a wonderful cat and we love him dearly and hope that we
will be
> able to keep him for a long time.
You most certainly will - because you followed your heart and not the
defeatism spawned by ignorance.
> Your message was heart lifting and promising because I wasn't given
much
> hope from the locals.
> I will visit back when I get my computer back.
Visit? I hope you'll be a permanent resident rather than a visitor!
Your experience is a testament to the power of love and dedication -
and Spot's is a testament to the indomitable spirit of the cat!
We'll leave a light on for you!
My very best wishes for you and Spot!
DeMara
I've been following all of your updates on Spot & I'm relieved to hear
that you finally got the correct diagnosis and medicine! Our 8 year old
Scottish Fold, Freddy, also has heart disease and we had to find a
veterinary cardiologist to do the echocardiogram. I know the anxiety
involved in the long car ride to the kitty heart doctors from our
experience with Freddy. The thing is, it's worth it to have a
cardiologist you trust.
Freddy was diagnosed almost a year ago. She's doing much better than
she was a year ago, though the cardiologist did change her meds to try
for even better results. Freddy is on Atenolol now, though she started
out on Cardizem.
All of my good thoughts go out to you, your family & Spot! Your love
for Spot and ability to push on in finding the right doctor have
probably saved Spot's life. Hopefully others reading this will be
encouraged to help their feline friends like you did!
-Sue
Joe Weissmann
After several months you'll probably be able to wean him off the Lasix
after his heart has a chance to become more efficient. I currently
give Tigger 1/2 tablet of Atenolol (12.5 mg) & 1/4 tablet of Vasotec
(an ACE inhibitor) a day, both sections placed in a #4 gelcap. If you
wet the gelcap slightly then place on the back of his tongue, the meds
slide right down. This is immediately followed by a treat. Tigger
actually looks forward to getting his meds.
Good luck & glad you caught in time.
- Joe Weissmann