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- Nov 19, 2022
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Our 7 month old kitten Claire experienced congestive heart failure on Thursday. She had been acting normally Wednesday with the exception of not being as excited about dinner as usual, which I attributed to my kids feeding her treats. She didn’t eat breakfast Thursday early morning and by noon had hidden herself, when we found her she was laying very still and struggling to breathe, heaving breaths. We rushed her to the closest emergency vet where they rushed her back to begin oxygen and treatment. After tests told us she was in congestive heart failure and outlook was guarded to poor, they’d see if she made it through the night and if she did, we’d need to do an emergency transfer to a cardiologist. We spent the night calling cardiologists and the emergency center was able to help us get in with the closest cardiologist a couple hours away. In the morning they had gotten some fluid to drain and felt she was stable enough to transfer. After a day of tests and treatment, EKGs, etc, the cardiologist diagnosed Claire with HoCM, hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Parts of her heart are enlarged and unless she has experienced extreme stress, which we do not believe is likely as she’s a spoiled happy kitten, he said it is a congenital heart disorder that would have been genetic. The cardiologist was able to help get Claire’s fluid drained and her off oxygen and sent home with us, now on multiple medications - blood thinners, diuretics, and heart stabilizers. We are waiting on the results of another test that will give us more information but it is likely she has months left.
I have a tween daughter and an autistic son with special needs. We lost my other son a few years ago unexpectedly. We then lost our 18 year old family cat Mara in April and my children were devastated. My special needs son was extremely attached to her, he is homeschooled and spent all day cuddling her. She was his “emotional support cat”. She was a purebred and we began looking for a similar looking cat and found Claire, at a breeder and brought her home July 1st. My children, and son immediately bonded with her and Claire with him. Our vet noticed a reaction to her spay surgery and sent us back to the breeder and her vet- who determined that it was minor and due to the glue they used. The breeder accused me of “trying to scam her” , when we were just concerned for Claire. The contract we have with the breeder states that any issue within the first week would be covered by her and that any genetic condition found means that she is responsible for providing a replacement. This isn’t something we had thought would be an issue as the breeder claimed she had genetically tested Claire’s parents and they were free from any issues. Now I find from the vet that this heart issue is likely genetic. I am distraught right now. We love Claire, my children have bonded with her and affording her in the first place wasn’t easy. We’ve been through so much already in the last few years. We’ve now spent , with permission, about the total of my daughters college saving account trying to save Claire. With the knowledge that we won’t likely have much longer with her, I’m struggling with my own grief and my children’s. I’m worried about my children’s reaction and mental health. Should I contact the breeder? When the inevitable happens we can’t afford to buy another kitten, is the breeder’s contract enforceable and should she provide another kitten?
Thank you for reading and any advise is welcome. Also, prayers or positive thoughts please.
I have a tween daughter and an autistic son with special needs. We lost my other son a few years ago unexpectedly. We then lost our 18 year old family cat Mara in April and my children were devastated. My special needs son was extremely attached to her, he is homeschooled and spent all day cuddling her. She was his “emotional support cat”. She was a purebred and we began looking for a similar looking cat and found Claire, at a breeder and brought her home July 1st. My children, and son immediately bonded with her and Claire with him. Our vet noticed a reaction to her spay surgery and sent us back to the breeder and her vet- who determined that it was minor and due to the glue they used. The breeder accused me of “trying to scam her” , when we were just concerned for Claire. The contract we have with the breeder states that any issue within the first week would be covered by her and that any genetic condition found means that she is responsible for providing a replacement. This isn’t something we had thought would be an issue as the breeder claimed she had genetically tested Claire’s parents and they were free from any issues. Now I find from the vet that this heart issue is likely genetic. I am distraught right now. We love Claire, my children have bonded with her and affording her in the first place wasn’t easy. We’ve been through so much already in the last few years. We’ve now spent , with permission, about the total of my daughters college saving account trying to save Claire. With the knowledge that we won’t likely have much longer with her, I’m struggling with my own grief and my children’s. I’m worried about my children’s reaction and mental health. Should I contact the breeder? When the inevitable happens we can’t afford to buy another kitten, is the breeder’s contract enforceable and should she provide another kitten?
Thank you for reading and any advise is welcome. Also, prayers or positive thoughts please.