ECHO RPT 6/6/16 Smokey--AMPS 330; +3.5=250; +7=265

Yesterday Mews

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/...165-8-159-10-136-pmps-140-3-238-5-301.158995/

Nice cycle while it lasted. Need some back to back ones like that. He is addicted to pinks, couldn't he have least stayed yellow? I'm pretty sure the PM was a fur shot as he moved at the time.

 

I hope Smokey comes back down soon.

 

He has been doing great lately Paula. Hope he comes back down soon

 

Smokey is part of the confetti SS club There is a lot more blue though which is good and he's eating well again! Hopefully he'll surprise you and come on back down today.

 

The dreaded fur shot. ARRGHHHHH! As long as he is feeling well and eating well. This gives you time to do something with the sticking out hair, LOL!

 

Hang in there Paula, not too bad considering the fur shot! He will come back down for you.

 

Forgot to add good Echo vines for Smokey today

 

Guess he got some of the insulin. I just put a hat on, it helps keep the bugs out of it. Nothing I can do. It's to long to spike it. Tomorrow is haircut then I can spike if have to.

 

Well, looks like he got at least a little insulin. I like @Doodles & Karen's description of the "confetti" SS. Much nicer way to say he bounces around! Good luck with the echo.

 

First-be still my heart. The cardiologist is cute, friendly and funny.

Smokey is the oldest cat he has seen so far. He was very gentle with him. Explained the ultrasound pics as he did them.

Left ventricle is grossly enlarged. Mild pericardial effusion (fluid around heart) suggestive of pending CHF. Somewhere in the last 6 months he had a heart attack.

Dx: diabetes induced cardiomyopathy with previous MI.

Meds: pimobendan/benazepril/spironolactone cocktail; lasix; aspirin.

Prognosis is guarded.

He gave me his email and cell phone should I ever need him.

 

At least you have information now. I did not know that cats could have heart attacks. Smokey is just a walking miracle!!! You are definitely doing something right else he would not still be here. How awesome that he gave you his email and cell #. He sounds like quite the compassionate veterinary specialist!

 

Paula I'm soo sorry and poor little Smokey

Hmm, I don't understand this but no need to explain.

Glad he gave you his phone/email and was gentle with Smokey. I'm sending lots of vines and prayers your way.

 

I'm sorry to hear about the heart attack. I didn't know cats could have heart attacks either. Smokey is doing really well right now and you're doing a great job taking care of him. Sending prayers.

 

Needless to say I need to look these meds up. I know lasix but not the others.

And will be cautious with the insulin. Hopefully I can prevent any low greens going forward. Definitely want to keep him in the blues.

 

Sending vines for Smokey that he will be able to carry on as well as he has been carrying on. That's quite a list of "ailments". You are doing such a good job, Paula.



Ella & Rusty

 

Poor Smokey, but many thanks for the education in cat heart health! Our Leda has a heart murmur, but that has been the extent of what I know about cat heart health and its discontents (which is silly, since I know lots about what can go wrong with human hearts, and cats are also mammals after all). Sending many healing vines to your Smokey, and knowing that he's in very good hands.

 

Thanks everyone for your wishes and prayers. I indulged him tonight. I let him have a few kibbles of YA.

Have to call the pharmacy tomorrow and see to his new meds. Have to look them up tonight and see what they are.

The only difference between yesterday and today is that I know what it is. Right now I can't say whether or not I like knowing.

 

Never thought about them having heart attacks. But why not???? I guess all hearts human or otherwise can they are all the same kind of muscle.

 

I'm so sorry for this dx, Paula, but with meds and proper treatment, he can have a good QOL.

 

Hopefully the new meds will help. In humans, it can take time to find the first combination of heart meds. If you don't like what you are seeing, do make use of the email and cellphone.

 

Standard requirement for veterinary cardiologists. Same for Neko's.

Smokey's report sounds fairly similar to what I got last week for Neko, except both her left and right ventricles are enlarged, but no MI . If you are seeing appy problems, that could be why. Neko's appy is improving as the meds are starting to work.

Neko was already on benazapril before her CHF Dx. and we just added Vetmedin (pimobendan). Warning, it's rather bitter tasting. They suggested mixing it with a little water and squirting it in, but it makes Neko gag and foam. So I'm splitting the capsule (half AM and PM) and putting it in a gel cap with the other bitter tasting meds (Plavix in our case). Less pilling that way too.

 

You are definitely doing everything right! I am sorry about the DX but I am glad you have a caring dr. who gave you his info .... most are not so caring

 

Sorry about the diagnosis. I think you are right the only thing that has changed is that you know what the problem is.

Sending lots of scritches and vines for Smokey and for you.

 

I'm getting it all in liquid form since he starting to fight me with the cerenia pill.
The pimobendan, benazepril, spironolactone is being mixed together in a cocktail so he gets all 3 in one squirt. He mentioned plavix but because it's really bitter he decided on aspirin first.

I want to try these maybe for the refills. Want to run by regular vet first. Cardiologist is fine with it, but worried what happens if he didn't eat them. http://bcpvetpharm.com/bcp-vetchews/

 

Sorry about the diagnosis Paula. Hopefully the meds will help. Sending vines and hugs

 

Sending extra scritches for Smokey, what a tough kitty having a heart attack and just carrying on without letting you know - keep up with that sort of toughness Smokey - except when you're taking your meds, be mellow for that!

 

I do hope you see improvement with the new meds. Doodles has shown improvement but truth will be told on 6/28 at his next Echo. Always keeping you and Smokey in out thoughts and prayers

 

Just piling on more hugs and prayers ...

 

Paula, I am sooo sorry to hear that Smokey had a heart attack in the last 6 months. He is truly a cat with 9 lives and looks like he found just the right bean to help him with QOL. Your care has been impeccable!

Nice to know that if I need a cute vet cardiologist there are two out there. Since you are geographically close to me, I would go with yours unless of course Wendy post a photo of hers that makes yours look like chop liver.

 

Oh, I'm sorry about that diagnosis. I can only say that loss of appetite was Basil's biggest issue when he was diagnosed and I never knew if the heart problem itself or the medications caused it. But Vitamin B shots from time to time restored his appy for a while. I hope you get things stabilized and find a routine that works for you and Smokey.

 

Well in my opinion, mine is a good piece of liver! Recently someone I can't remember who mentioned traveling specialist which I didn't know existed. This one is sort of one. He said he goes to larger main ER hospitals. I think he's out of NY. He is in my area every Monday.