http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/6-24-bella-amps-113.231390/ Need prayers guys Bella in hospital, he was acting fine yesterday evening and then he started puking white foam and laying on side pooping in several spots, mouth breathing, they believe after several tests it’s his heart, scheduled for echo with cardiologist this am, He was breathing very fast, they said it’s calmed down and is normal now, said that when they went to give more fluids in IV noticed his breathing getting faster, took him off fluids till he sees cardiologist. From the tests they did he may have a enlarged heart, will know more after a Echo.I’ve had no sleep, and cried most of the night, they did call at 10 and again at 430 this am Bella just is resting on a nice comforter and she said that he is getting a lot of loves from everyone there will update when know more
Oh Jamie, I'm sorry to hear that Bella is in the hospital! I hope they can treat him and clear up whatever is going on there. And I hope you can get some rest, I'm sure you're probably feeling worse than him at the moment.. I'm sending tons of prayers and healing vines to you both! Please keep us updated!!
I am SO sorry Jamie and so upset to read that Bella is having an issue. I know heart issues in cats can be extremely sudden and an emergency so I am relieved that you were there and able to get him to the vet quickly. Many thoughts and prayers being sent your way for both you and Bella.
I'm sorry to hear this. I hope the cardiologist can help get him stabilized quickly. Sending prayers.
Oh Jamie, I'm so sorry about Bella. You're in our thoughts and prayers and we're sending tons of positive healing vines over to you and wishing for a good outcome.
Praying for answers that come with help for Bella. I'm glad he is good hands - give yourself a big hug from me Jamie. Is there any way to work and pass the time? We all need you to get better beautiful fluffy little man..
I'm so sorry to hear this. I do hope you get some answers soon and it's very treatable. I can imagine how worried you must be. Sending many vines.
Oh Jamie, I am so sorry to hear Bella is in the hospital. My prayers and thoughts are with you and Bella
I’m so sorry Jamie! Thinking about you and Bella and hoping the test results give you some answers as to what’s going on soon!
Well he just had the Echo done, heart is fine, critical care vet called and said she thinks that his BP went to low, he was only 102 last night with NO pill, he just had his morning pill, then his BP went up just a little and still no pill,now it’s 155 so she suggested 1/4 pill am and pm and follow up with my vet, I will post labs when I get them, I pick him up at noon Thank you all for all the well wishes, Bella and I appreciate it
Awesome!!!! I am SO happy to hear this news and that Bella is coming home !!! More prayers that the labwork looks good and it’s just BP medicine that needs to be adjusted!
Also they gave him humulin R 1u instead of his lantus, his BP was 354 and he didn’t think it was high enough for the 1.5u lantus, REALLY! So when they checked him he was at 64! I had a few words
One thing to look into is a blood pressure monitor to use at home. Unfortunately BP, like BG, as I am sure you know, is effected at the vet office. If you can get some at home that would help.
I'm glad his heart is fine and he's coming home. I hope the adjustment in BP meds is all he needs. Sending prayers.
Glad his heart is fine. Hope the adjustment in meds will help. He will get back on the lantus track, think of it as a furshot.
There are BP monitors on Amazon but I read they are not accurate. I was going to buy one when Ravan was diagnosed but changed my mind. He's been on only a quarter of a 2.5 mg tablet of Amlodipine. Since my Vet retired I haven't had his BP checked for months. If you do find a BP monitor that works let me know.
Amazon list Then I saw JoyBee's comments. Like a dummy I had pasted my personal account info from Amazon. Redid asap Anyway - @Tomlin would you trust any of those listed to be pretty good?
I was checking out Veterinary Blood Pressure monitors. They cost over $1,000 I wonder if your vet might let you borrow a monitor just overnight to check Bella?
JoyBee is correct about the cheaper ones that you can order on Amazon being unreliable. Unfortunately, overall, when it comes to BP measurement using oscillometric measurement (cuff) vs Doppler, it can be unreliable with an awake cat—for obvious reason—picture BP cuff on the tail. The one used &/or cited most often in studies & utilized by some vets is the PetMap brand. Some also use the SunTech. Best to try to find a used one because they are very pricey. If you use one, I have been advised that it is very important to try to get several measurements over a period of time and average them (i.e. 5 readings over 5 minutes) and to follow trends vs specific numbers (sound familiar?) At high BP; the devices tend to underestimate the actual BP so If there are repeatable high numbers (>150 systolic) it is best to confirm the pressure at a vet clinic using Doppler.
Here's one on Amazon for $76 https://www.amazon.com/Automatic-Electronic-Sphygmomanometer-Tonometer-CONTEC08A-VET/dp/B078SL3PFJ You can read the reviews of people who have one. ( A Vet wrote in that it's "garbage" but they make money checking animals BP so I'm not sure if I trust his comments? )
Last year my vet bought a new Doppler but for some reason he could not get an accurate reading using it. I suggested he go back to the Pet Map & sure enough it worked better than the doppler. Some of his techs tried it & had problems aslo. Maybe it was defective?
Dopplers take A LOT of skill and experience with them. A vet can be great but struggle with a doppler if they suddenly order one and try to use it. Speak with your internal medicine specialist. One thing that will be important IF you decide to try to do it at home is to make sure you are using the correct size cuff or it will effect the measurement &/or if one of your vet has one in addition to Doppler, use the same size they are using. PetMap came out with the PetMap Graphic II so there are refurbished units of the original PetMap manual pump BP & HR units out there on the market. The companies that sell the refurbished ones typically still provide a one year warranty and they run about $500-600 less. The newer ones are about $1500.
Gonna tt him about a reasonable good one. Also my vet has already been updated on bella from hospital
Nice! Maybe ask if they would like a nice shiny new PetMap II and sell you their old model if they have it...LOL! Wouldn't that be nice.....if only ! Happy to hear the specialist and your vet are on top of it. Wishing you and Bella a restful afternoon and evening!!
Oh Jamie I'm just reading this now and when I saw your title my heart just sank.....but I'm happy to read that Bella is ok and coming home! I'm glad it wasn't his heart. Was he on blood pressure meds previously? Lots of these coming your way
My vet had his own practice over 25 yrs. He used a doppler before. I think something must have been wrong with the new one.
Years ago I tried to figure out if a paediatric cuff would work. In the end, I did not think so and again, can one trust the cheap ones? What a scary night for you and Bella, Jamie. I hope the change in meds does the trick and you both can sit back and relax.
SunTech ETA: Tomlin mentioned this one I think I found another good choice (think stimulus check, haha) Smiling big thinking of Bella with you again . . . . yes, you guys rest!!
Jaime I'm so glad it wasn't his heart and increasing the pills will keep his BP on track. I'm happy that handsome boy is coming home, he probably can't wait. Please keep us updated on Bella.
Yes he took half in am and half in pm so we are doing 1/4 now, he hasn’t had a pill since yesterday morning and when I got him to vet it was 102 and when we left today it was 158
We are decreasing, it was to much, they think anyway, since home he’s eating, peeing, drinking and pooped
Yikes, what a scary night and day! So glad it wasn't the heart. Always a worry with our Maine Coon/long haired friends. Neko's original BP test was over 220 at the vet, then got her down to 185 at another visit, then finally 146 at the dental vet. Stress makes a huge difference! She ended up not being on BP meds. Tagging @tiffmaxee cause I think Elise found a somewhat cheaper solution for home BP testing - I think it was her. Or see if the tech can do a home visit with the equipment. Location/skill of tech made a huge difference for Neko's numbers. The IM vet's tech was excellent. I also sprayed Feliway in the carrier and gave her Rescue Remedy before hand if I knew we were going for a BP check.
Yes I did buy a used Doppler machine. I got a refurbished one on eBay. You have to buy other things to go with it. At the time Parks did not have cuffs so I had to search for one and the rest went with it.I did save money that way. If you want more info pm me as I will have to look up the information.
Here’s the info on what I bought and if interested I will look for my info. http://www.parksmed.com/vet_prices.php
Jamie, I'm so relieved to read that Bella is home and doing all the 'p's. You've had a long day. I hope you and Bella/Andy can get some rest tonight. Take care, sending hugs - thank goodness it's treatable!
My heart was just pounding reading this post... my god... whats going on around here!? can't our dear kitties just stay perfectly healthy 100% of the time!? I am SO RELIEVED that there is nothing wrong with Bella's heart... it sounds like he is doing really well at home right now too, so amazing to hear. Sending tons of healing vines and prayers to you and Bella
