Cat Diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy

[jsg931]

Hello, I have a 4 year old male domestic short hair rescue named Charlie. I found him alone at a little league baseball park when he was only 2 weeks old.
He was recently diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. We've had xrays and echocardiogram done. On July 2, we took him to the emergency vet because he was having difficulty breathing. He stayed overnight and got oxygen and IV lasix and sedatives. He was diagnosed with heart failure, and fluid in and around his lungs. The fluid was resolved so he was discharged.
At home, he's on lasix and enalapril.
We've asked the vets several times whether they think he has HCM or RCM, and they are unable to agree. They all agree he has severe heart damage.

Charlie had several good days in a row, and his respiration rate was good. It seems now that he is declining. He's looking puffy, and is breathing faster and harder. We don't want to have him hospitalized again. But, we are wondering if there is a treatment that would relieve his symptoms but would not require hospitalization or over stress him.
We accept that he isn't going to get well, and he's nearing the end of his life. But, we want to make him comfortable.
We are also struggling to make the best choice on the timing of when or if we should make the decision for him. We don't want him to suffer, but we do want him to have fun and enjoy life.

We also have two other kitties - both rescues. We have Rue, who is 8 years old, and Paisley, who is 2 years old.

Thank you!
Julie

 

[nurseangel]

I am so sorry. It sounds like he does need a consultation with the vet. It may be possible there is medication they can prescribe to be given at home. I had a cat who was on liquid Lasix the vet prescribed through a local compounding pharmacy. My husband and I are friend with the pharmacist. He told us it came in a tuna flavor that another woman said her cat didn't mind too much. Though I can't really advise on what medication might help Charlie, the vet may have some options to make him more comfortable. I wish him well and please keep us posted.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

I so understand your dilemma. I've been there, although from a different cause. I'd also ask your vet about hospice care for him, possibly including oxygen at home, if that is possible.

This might help you decide when he has reached a point where he is ready to go:
The Feline Quality of Life Scale Helps You Determine If It's Time to Say Goodbye to Your Cat | Catster.

We are here. We are with you. We care.

 

[white shadow]

.
Hi jsg931 and welcome to the forum !

To me, your description sounds as if the fluid is building up again.

There seems to be a very wide range for Lasix dosing. I recommend you be in touch with whichever of the Vets you can - even the ER - and ask about increasing the dose. My drug handbook (Plumb's) indicates that some cats require a dose up to 5x usual doses (!) and manage "without severe consequences". Adequate hydration must be ensured at the same time, no matter the dose.

Lasix can also be given subcutaneously with a small syringe - much easier to administer.

I have a little experience with this as my little 'white shadow' passed from it.

As time is everything, I wouldn't delay.

Keep us posted!
.

 

[DizzyLizzy2187]

I'm so sorry you're going through this. We have recently dealt with heart issues in 2 of our cats, one of whom was diagnosed with heart failure. When our boy was initially diagnosed we weren't really told much other than he has heart failure and he was given a lasik and a heart pill. He went back two days later and seemed to be doing better and then a week from there and again he seemed fine. 3 days later he collapsed and we rushed him to the emergency vet and thank god we ended up at the one we did. It happens to be a referral hospital so there are specialists there......including a cardiologist. She ended up doing an echo (something our vet neglected to do at the diagnosis) and was able to pinpoint the issue. She altered his current meds and added a new one in that was better for his condition. If at all possible, I would try to get in with a cardiologist. I know that's not great advice, but it made a world of difference for us. Our issue was that our cat's heart failure was being treated as though it was happening on the left side, when in fact it was on the right side. The cardiologist explained everything and since then he has been doing significantly better.
It sounds like the fluid is building up again and either adding a new lasik or altering his dosage may help.

 

[amandag1]

Hi! Im so sorry you are dealing with this.
My kitty has HCM and takes 2.5 tablets of 12.5 mg strength lasix a day, 0.6 ml atenolol 2x a day and xarelto.
I would also try to see a cardiologist and make sure his labs are being checked.
Usually cats can tolerate high doses of lasix.
My kitty went to the ER vet before we knew what was wrong and they even told us we could choose to put him down that night as cats with HCM dont fare well..... well, I dont want to jinx it but he has lasted 1.5 years past initial diagnosis of severe HCM!!!