Very sad and need some advice

Hi all..I know I haven't posted on the DU much lately, but I signed on and checked out the pet group because I know there are so many pet lovers on this forum. I found out some rather sad news today while taking my Tonkinese cat, Dinah, to the vet for her yearly routine vaccination exam and I wanted to see if anybody else has ever been through this. She was nervous and excited (as most cats are on a trip to the vet) but the vet noticed that her heart rate was very fast and that her lungs sounded very raspy sounding, she also noticed that her breathing was VERY fast, as if it was hard for her to take a breath. Wanting to make sure everything was alright internally the vet went ahead and took an x-ray of Dinah and found that she had fluid collection in her lungs. She immediately thought that this looked like heart disease, and said she believes it may be cardiomyopathy(disease of the heart muscle). The vet gave Dinah a shot that was to help in reduction of the fluid in her lungs and put her on oxygen treatment to help her breathe..I had to leave her there for the remainder of the day but I checked on her many times ...she showed signs of improvement and was resting. The vet advised me that the next step would be to get an echocardiogram on her heart to better define what exact problems she had with her heart and what medications would be necessary to ensure her quality of life.

My husband and I are just so overwhelmed with the news...We have both cried most of the day and every time I look at her I just can't help but break down. Has anyone here also had a cat that had this health problem? It would make me feel so much better to hear that I am not alone...

you have a very preliminary diagnosis of a symptom your cat is showing so don't jump to conclusions yet until you know what you're dealing with.

There are many disease exhibiting these symptoms now that can be controlled in cats and treated. Thyroid problems also show some of those symptoms, as well as other things, and can be fully treated in cats.

Don't assume the worst until you know for sure. Your cat will be comforted by your reassuring presence. Just know as well your cat is so fortunate to have loving caretakers like you.

:hug:

with hyperthyroid and kidney failure. All three seemed to hit him simultaneously around age 14. He lived to 15 on various medications, but because his kidneys weren't in the best of shape so his treatment options were limited (he was the runt of his litter and had heart issues all his life). I spent over $7,000 trying to save him-I raised him from his second day on earth and he was the best pet I've ever had. Sadly, he passed away Aug. 1 2003 at the vets office, as I was waiting to pick him up from a chest tap. You're lucky; you may have caught this early enough that you may be able to control it with medications. Many owners don't find out about the disease until their cats collapse from it (I know several people who lost five year old and younger cats from it without warning). It's a genetic illness-there was nothing your care did to cause it. Hang in there and let us know what the vet says. We're sending good karma Dinah's way! :hug:

Peewee:

this is the hardest part of loving animals. Having them ill. Take care and please keep us posted. You are not alone in your fears. We have all been there and done that, honey.

It's awful when our "kids" get sick and die - I dread this for mine all the time but you know you have to realize how happy she was to love you, what a difference you made in her life!

I'll post a picture again of Lily that reminds me of Pee-wee's picture. How we love our kitty kids! And this old girl I love so much!

When he was diagnosed the vet said that there were two types. The good type is the kind in which the heart muscle grows larger because the wall of the heart grows thicker over time. This kind progresses slowly and is treated by meds that slow heart rate. Eli and I were lucky - this was the kind he had. We visited a cardiac specialist once a year for an echocardiogram and meds controlled it really well. The vet did hear a heart murmur after about 5 years. He lived for 6 years after his diagnosis and was really well and healthy most of that time.

The bad type is the kind in which the heart muscle grows larger because the wall of the heart grows thinner over time. This kind progresses quickly.

You won't know until Dinah has her echocardiogram -- You are not alone.

:hug:

but do have a dog with the same problem. Diagnosed almost 5 years ago. Rarely on meds (a little lasix occasionally), controlled mainly with diet and GENTLE exercize.

It doesn't have to be an immediate death sentence.

is doing okay.

Your love for her is the best thing...good medicine.

Take it slow. Even though this is painful it is precious as well.