GA Henry: OTJ 2+ Years, Dx'd with CHF today

Hi everyone,

Some of you might remember Henry from a couple of years ago when he was diagnosed with diabetes. With the help of this board, he was OTJ within a month, and remains so today. He is now about 14. Lately he has shown some reluctance to eat, which is very unlike him, although he still cleans his plate when we sprinkle freeze-dried chicken or his civvie sister's Young Again (ground up in a pepper mill) on his wet food. Between that and a couple of troubling coughing/wheezing spells, we took him to the vet earlier this week. He had been in December for his annual and all was well, but this time the vet detected a galloping heart rhythm and elevated respiration. Chest x-rays were "abnormal" so we did blood work, which came back normal and negative for heartworm. Long story short, we took him to the specialist today for an echocardiogram and he was immediately put on oxygen because his breathing was so labored. The echo confirmed congestive heart failure.

He is being hospitalized overnight and they just called to say he's responding to the diuretics; the pulmonary edema is resolving. Although his breathing is still rapid, it's better (down to about 60 from 88; he's always been VERY stressed at the vet's...he's been mid 30s to mid 40s at home). They did find bacteria in his urine so he's on antibiotics, but kidney function was pretty good especially considering the diuretics on board. They plan to do another echo tomorrow morning assuming his respiratory rate is closer to normal. They're happy with his progress and think he'll be able to come home tomorrow assuming he continues on this track.

Obviously I'm devastated, though not surprised. My spidey sense has been tingling lately, and I'm aware he's not a young'un anymore. I just can't believe it got this serious this suddenly; I watch him like a hawk and still test his blood sugar every 2-3 weeks. I'm wondering if anyone has any positive experiences to share, since there's no shortage of depressing outcomes online and I'm feeling very disheartened. He's such a mama's boy and I'm so sad to not have him here, especially since I work from home and we're together all the time.

Anyway, thanks for reading this far. Please send healing vines for my sweet boy.

 

So sorry to hear Henry's dealing with CHF, but we've had several other cats here that have done really well on the diuretics (as well as other meds as needed)

It's very manageable so just take one step at a time....It sounds like he's getting good care at the specialist!!

Sending lots of healing vines your way!!

 

Hi Rachel!!! Headbutts Henry!! I like the visit but I don't like the reason....

Scruffy lived happily for over a year after that diagnosis. I had his enalapril compounded into chicken treats, he took lasix as needed.

Lots of thoughts and prayers coming your way!

HUGS and hugs and more...

 

Sending healing vines!

 

Thank you for the support, everyone. Henry's breathing was better this morning, so they'll be able to get the second echo they needed to come up with a prognosis/game plan. He didn't want to eat the Rx food they offered (of course), so I just dropped off his normal food and a bed that smells like home and has approximately half a Henry's worth of fur on it. Hopefully he'll eat and still breathe well once weaned off the oxygen and can come home later today. They're still optimistic about that.

Thanks for sharing your personal experience. I will ask about having his meds compounded into treats (once I know what they are) because that seems like a great idea. I have never had to pill him so have no idea how he'll deal with it.

 

Henry came home with us last Saturday and had a good few days, despite having to get six pills a day. He sunbathed in his window perch, ate well, and seemed comfortable. Unfortunately he started coughing again yesterday and seemed to decline last night. We took him in to the internal medicine vet again today. His heart had failed for the second time in a week, his kidney values were up, and his blood sugar was 500 (it was 94 on April 23). The vet stabilized him, we snuggled with him and let him eat his beloved dry food (denied him for so long), and we gave him his wings.

Thank you all, for everything. We are so grateful for 14 years with our sweet boy.

2003:


2017:

 

Rachel, I'm SO sorry it was Henry's time to cross. I'm so thankful you got to spend such a wonderful life of love together.

Soar high on your new angel wings sweet Henry...landing softly back in Mama's broken heart.

 

Aww I'm so sorry. I lost a cat to CHF and Kidney failure caused by the meds he was on for 6 months. His heart was broken then so was mine. It's never an easy decision. Sending healing and peaceful vines for your hearts.

 

I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

May fond memories of you beloved Henry warm your heart always

 

I am so sorry for your loss. At least Henry knew your love and you knew his - that is something that will be with you forever.

 

Sorry for your loss

 

Rachel, we are so sorry for loosing your dear Henry.
Sending lots of hugs.
Marlena and Rocky

 

I am so very sorry..... sending healing thoughts to you and your family

 

Thank you all for your kind words and condolences; they are a comfort to me. I am really struggling with the guilt and what ifs, although I know that's the grief talking. Even with Sweep the greyhound (the object of Henry's legendary stink-eye) and Olive the naughty girl-cat, the house is too quiet. Henry's purr could fill a room and you could set your watch by his mealtime meowing. I could scoop him up at any time and he'd just settle in and start purring and head butting. He'd started giving me hugs in the past few months, reaching for me as I got out of bed in the morning. I miss my boy so much.

 

Rachel - I am so sorry it was Henry's time to earn his angel wings. Heart disease is hard to deal with. And scary.

 

I am so sorry.

 

Henry sounds like he was a dear. So sorry you had to let him go for now. May his love and devotion guide you through these darkened hours.

 

What s beautiful and great cat Henry was. I am sorry for your loss, and I hope you are reunited at the Rainbow bridge.

 

I'm so sorry for this huge loss--he was such a beauty, and he sounds like a very sweet and loving boy.