Hi all! I could use some info. I'll try to give background and then ask the questions. Thank you, in advance, for your kindness and knowledge.
My 15.5 year old kitty, Millie, went to the ER over the new year. Was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, had fluid inside and around lungs. They put her in oxygen box (?), gave meds to get fluids to drain, and prepared us for her not to make it. She did make it -- hooray! And we were sent home with Furosemide, which she gobbles up in a pill pocket. They also told us about a respiration-checking app (Cardalis) and said a good sleeping number is no more than 40. (And that if at-rest breathing gets over 55 it's an emergency.) The ER has cardiologist on staff, by the way.
Took her to her regular vet one week later. Vet checked kidney and potassium: so far so good. Took x-rays and saw some "residual" fluid which vet said is not alarming because it takes a while for that to ease out.
Millie is back to eating normally. She is overweight, by the way. She is peeing, pooping, walking around and hopping up, napping, purring (and biting) normally. Inside cat. She only eats wet food. Drinks water regularly. Also likes to have warm water from syringe as I enjoy morning coffee.
Have used the app regularly and rate is 30 or lower when sleeping.
But rate is 40+ when awake. She's had fastish breathing when awake for a long time before needing the ER. Not alarmingly fast but there.
Questions: Millie may have had heart issues for quite a while. Is fastish breathing I notice just part of that, or does it mean she's getting worse? Or am I noticing/worrying more because I now know she has CHF?
I also notice she is not peeing any more than she did before diagnosis and diuretic. In other words, the amount is normal.
Question: Does that mean the diuretic is working well? (That's what my husband thinks.) Or is the med at too low a level?
We don't plan to have Millie go thru ECG and all that. We don't think the information gleaned would affect treatment (and the cost is substantial on top of the rest). We do have an appointment with Millie's regular vet to have her checked. That vet may suggest another xray. We shall see.
Now for the harder questions:
I know one bad thing that can occur is saddle paralysis. This would mean it's time to ease her over the rainbow bridge as soon as possible.
She'll continue on the diuretic, of course. But could her breathing suddenly get extremely bad again, or is that much more likely to happen over time?
Is there anything I have not asked about?
Thanks again.
My 15.5 year old kitty, Millie, went to the ER over the new year. Was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, had fluid inside and around lungs. They put her in oxygen box (?), gave meds to get fluids to drain, and prepared us for her not to make it. She did make it -- hooray! And we were sent home with Furosemide, which she gobbles up in a pill pocket. They also told us about a respiration-checking app (Cardalis) and said a good sleeping number is no more than 40. (And that if at-rest breathing gets over 55 it's an emergency.) The ER has cardiologist on staff, by the way.
Took her to her regular vet one week later. Vet checked kidney and potassium: so far so good. Took x-rays and saw some "residual" fluid which vet said is not alarming because it takes a while for that to ease out.
Millie is back to eating normally. She is overweight, by the way. She is peeing, pooping, walking around and hopping up, napping, purring (and biting) normally. Inside cat. She only eats wet food. Drinks water regularly. Also likes to have warm water from syringe as I enjoy morning coffee.
Have used the app regularly and rate is 30 or lower when sleeping.
But rate is 40+ when awake. She's had fastish breathing when awake for a long time before needing the ER. Not alarmingly fast but there.
Questions: Millie may have had heart issues for quite a while. Is fastish breathing I notice just part of that, or does it mean she's getting worse? Or am I noticing/worrying more because I now know she has CHF?
I also notice she is not peeing any more than she did before diagnosis and diuretic. In other words, the amount is normal.
Question: Does that mean the diuretic is working well? (That's what my husband thinks.) Or is the med at too low a level?
We don't plan to have Millie go thru ECG and all that. We don't think the information gleaned would affect treatment (and the cost is substantial on top of the rest). We do have an appointment with Millie's regular vet to have her checked. That vet may suggest another xray. We shall see.
Now for the harder questions:
I know one bad thing that can occur is saddle paralysis. This would mean it's time to ease her over the rainbow bridge as soon as possible.
She'll continue on the diuretic, of course. But could her breathing suddenly get extremely bad again, or is that much more likely to happen over time?
Is there anything I have not asked about?
Thanks again.
