Our 4.5 year male orange tabby cat has developed abdominal ascites after an emergency CHF episode 6 months ago, Mar 2019. He recovered after a short hospital stay, diagnostic tests, and medication/release. We have now requested the veterinarian perform an abdominal drain tomorrow, but we are not sure if this is the right thing to do yet. Looking for similar stories for insight.
For one he is a sweet, affectionate (but skittish) cat and he will be awake for this.
Here is his medical facts:
* Since about the age of 3 I noticed slight breathlessness after play.
* A few hairball-like coughs her and there. He then started developing more consistent weekly coughs.
* One day at about age 4 he started vomiting and became very short of breath.
* We rushed him to the vet. He was hospitalized, tested with Xray, CBC and US. Later was given EKG and Echocardiogram.
* Fluid found in or around lungs were resolved with Lasix intravenous and oxygen tank. Meds given, etc.
* He also lost about 10% to 12% of his body weight. From 14 lbs to 12 lbs.
* Diagnosis was CHF (i think right side?), echo showed very large heart. He stabilized and did well. Released in Mar, 2019.
* He was administered the following meds:
- Pimobendan/Vetmedin: Dose/Delivery: 1.25 mg | 1 tablet every 12 hrs.
- Benazepril: Dose/Delivery: 5mg | ¼ tablet every 24 hrs.
- Lasix: Dose/Delivery: 12.5mg | ½ tablet every 12 hrs.
* Mar to Sep went well, no real issues, playful etc.
* In mid Sept 2019 he seems to be more tired. Still eating, drinking, etc. Playing with his brother, they are inseparable so we adopted the 2.
* In mid-October 2019 I noticed his belly swelling. Not too bad. No other symptoms. Still eating, drinking, less active and less mobile.
* Vet says try conservative approach:
Lasix 3 x a day for 5 days last week to try and resolve the ascites, no luck.
* Past two weeks his stomach has grown sideways a bit.
Now the questions remain for us - and we can use some guidance from others experiences are...
> Is draining the right thing (too risky)? Are there other meds to try to reduce the ascites first, try and wait?
> Are the meds the right mix? Why is the condition seem to be advancing?
> If neither meds or draining work, then do we euthanize a cat swollen but not in pain? (he is not hiding or suffering)
The doc warned that the ascites could come right back, or we might need to drain every few weeks. He is an outstanding and caring vet but he doesn't know the future, nor do we. However, real life similar experiences from people like you (vet professional or not) would help steer our understanding and decisions. The only thing we are dealing now with is ascites. Otherwise the condition is under control, on the surface. Thank for your help!
For one he is a sweet, affectionate (but skittish) cat and he will be awake for this.
Here is his medical facts:
* Since about the age of 3 I noticed slight breathlessness after play.
* A few hairball-like coughs her and there. He then started developing more consistent weekly coughs.
* One day at about age 4 he started vomiting and became very short of breath.
* We rushed him to the vet. He was hospitalized, tested with Xray, CBC and US. Later was given EKG and Echocardiogram.
* Fluid found in or around lungs were resolved with Lasix intravenous and oxygen tank. Meds given, etc.
* He also lost about 10% to 12% of his body weight. From 14 lbs to 12 lbs.
* Diagnosis was CHF (i think right side?), echo showed very large heart. He stabilized and did well. Released in Mar, 2019.
* He was administered the following meds:
- Pimobendan/Vetmedin: Dose/Delivery: 1.25 mg | 1 tablet every 12 hrs.
- Benazepril: Dose/Delivery: 5mg | ¼ tablet every 24 hrs.
- Lasix: Dose/Delivery: 12.5mg | ½ tablet every 12 hrs.
* Mar to Sep went well, no real issues, playful etc.
* In mid Sept 2019 he seems to be more tired. Still eating, drinking, etc. Playing with his brother, they are inseparable so we adopted the 2.
* In mid-October 2019 I noticed his belly swelling. Not too bad. No other symptoms. Still eating, drinking, less active and less mobile.
* Vet says try conservative approach:
Lasix 3 x a day for 5 days last week to try and resolve the ascites, no luck.
* Past two weeks his stomach has grown sideways a bit.
Now the questions remain for us - and we can use some guidance from others experiences are...
> Is draining the right thing (too risky)? Are there other meds to try to reduce the ascites first, try and wait?
> Are the meds the right mix? Why is the condition seem to be advancing?
> If neither meds or draining work, then do we euthanize a cat swollen but not in pain? (he is not hiding or suffering)
The doc warned that the ascites could come right back, or we might need to drain every few weeks. He is an outstanding and caring vet but he doesn't know the future, nor do we. However, real life similar experiences from people like you (vet professional or not) would help steer our understanding and decisions. The only thing we are dealing now with is ascites. Otherwise the condition is under control, on the surface. Thank for your help!
