8/16 More Prayers Needed for Jayla's Rico

Jayla had to take her civvie to the ER last night and he's been on oxygen ever since. It's CHF and the vet is trying to wean him off oxygen so she can get him to the cardiologist that is at least a half hour drive. Let's send shiploads of prayers and vines their way.

 

Oh No!!! Tons of prayers and healing energy being sent for Rico (civvie kitty) and arms full of for Jayla.

 

Thanks for posting this thread Elise. I wasn't sure what to do here. Been praying and pacing all night here. Lots of hugs, prayers and vines for Jayla and Rico

 

Oh So glad I checked in.. Sending so many vines and so much light to Jayla and Rico!!!

 

Sending more prayers.

 

Sending arm loads of vines for Rico and as much positive healing energy as I can conjure up for him...and for Jayla.

 

Sending tons of prayers and healing vines to Rico.

 

Update - They are on the way to the ER Cardiologist.

 

Prayers and light and vines and whatever available sent up!!

 

Endless prayers for Jayla and Rico....glad they are on the way to the cardio.

 

Sending lots of vines!

 

Thanks Elise for letting us know. Prayers, light, vines, whatever else I can think of headed straightway to Jayla and Rico.

Marilyn and Polly

 

Oh no! Sending mega vines to Rico and lots of s to Jayla.

 

Sending tons of prayers and vines

 

More stromg healing vines on the way for Rico and hugs for Jayla.

 

Bucket loads of vines being sent and the sky should be light with all the healing white light on it's way for Rico. Hugs to Jayla. CHF is scary, glad she's on her way to a cardologist with Rico.

 

The cardiologist at the specialty clinic is on vacation until Monday. Not sure what she will do yet. They say she can bring him home. She's waiting to talk with tge IM.

 

Sending more strong healing vines! for Jayla.

 

Piling on more vines for Rico! Hang in there, Jayla - we are all rooting for your little boy.

 

Sending more vines and Prayers for Rico.

 

Praying.

 

They are sending her to another cardiologist.

 

Poor thing.

 

More vines and hugs...

 

Poor Rico....I bet he is so stressed. I hope Jayla gets the help she needs for him...TODAY!

 

Vines, prayers, hugs, chanting, thoughts. Pulling out all stops.

 

Good!

 

OMG, poor Jayla, and poor Rico, but thank goodness there's another cardiologist she can go to.

More vines and prayers on the way.

Thank you for keeping us update, Elise.

 

That's what I was thinking. The next nearest one for us is over 200 miles away.

 

We are all keeping the vines growing!

 

She's there. They took them through the ER.around an hour ago.

 

Praying Rico gets the help he needs ASAP.

 

Sending good thoughts!

 

Please please please be okay. Prayers Jayla and Rico. Glad you were able to get to a cardiologist. Breathe baby breathe and breathe some more.

Prayers and hugs.

 

prayers and more

 

Jayla,lots and lots of vines and prayers going out to Rico and to you.

 

Oh so so sorry to hear this - praying for good news

 

Prayers and get better soon vines are on the way.

 

They've got them! vines and prayers coming on

 

(((Jayla)))

Piling on vines and prayers for you and Rico.

 

Praying.

 

Sending lots of vines and light to Rico! And hugs to Jayla!

 

I am so sorry Rico is unwell
Sending lots of vines to Rico and hugs to you Jayla

 

More prayers, vines and hugs

 

I cannot express how humbled I feel as I am reading this.....to each and every one I am so very grateful.
Monday evening Rico had very labored breathing.... his resp rate when I got to the er was 90-138--he was in heart failure and the Dr told me if he was not improved in the morning she would recommend euthanasia. Rico has never been DX with a heart issue. He was improving when I got there this morning.

After reaching the 2nd specialist/cardiologist I had a serene thought that this was all part of the plan because this Dr. was beyond wonderful. I have never experienced anything like it from the moment I walked in. The 3 behind the desk all said in unison "HI" "Is the Rico?" "We have been expecting you"
and off he went to the back for vitals etc.....
Yes I was there a very long time but.... when the Dr. came out and spoke to me I actually hugged her. She took her time and she gave us a plan.

Here is what we think has happened... Rico started 5 mg of pred 2x a day for the water diarrhea on 8/7. It has been helping this issue. He also gets SQ fluids and I have lowered the dose but give daily (as opposed to every 2-3 days) to give any injections he may need to dull the discomfort-

The steroid may have weakened his heart and the fluids built up. The 1st ER gave some lasix and the last Dr. did as well.
Because the pred is helping she wants to keep him on it until Friday and no SQ fluids until Saturday if he needs them. If he shows distress before Friday we will wean him off sooner. If he is eating and acting ok no SQ unless needed and after Saturday.
She gave me another pill call Vetmedin- ideally he will get 1 - 2x a day but for now 1/2 -2x a day-the downside is it may cause diarrhea.
The upside is it helps his heart function and his kidneys.
She gave me lasix in case of a relapse.
Her prognosis depends on the cause-if it is the pred there is a good chance his heart will return to normal size. If not the prognosis is not as good.
She wants to see him and do another x-ray on Monday. She is booked but will work us in.
All of them are amazed at what good shape he is in as a 17 year old cat.... he was very tolerant and he is very tired.....
I have no words for all of you taking the time to send a thought -word or prayer.....truly speechless.
(Thank you Elise for updating)

 

Sending healing vines your way

 

Sounds reasonable - given the sudden onset, I'm suspecting and hoping this is the prednisone. Rico, it's great to have a big heart, but you have overdone it! Healing vines to reduce swelling of heart. Love and hugs.

 

Thank goodness you managed to find a second cardiologist. I really like Neko's cardio vet too. I'm glad you've got a plan moving forward.

Neko's heart issues showed up when I started her on fluids, so I no longer give them and she doesn't need Lasix. She also is in Vetmedin, 1 capsule twice a day. It's rather bitter - Neko foams at the mouth, if given with water. I made some plain chicken broth and mix it in that instead and that makes it much more palatible for her. She doesn't have diarrhea from the Vetmedin. Neko also had gut issues, and is on budesonide instead of prednisolone because of her heart issues. Maybe it's an option to discuss with the vet.

Tons of vines still on their way.

 

I will ask about the bupe--is it helpful for diarrhea?? We are basically treating for IBD/lymphoma without a true DX-at his age it is my best guess and the doctors seem to have agreed...the brown water poo was getting worse and more urgency. Funny he had the best poo he has had in months today at the doctor while I was there.
The vetmedin she said was beef flavored?? She also said I can crush it and put in a capsule. Is yours flavored?

 

Neko has also been presumed to be IBD/lymphoma. With her heart she cannot have a biopsy so we are going by what the ultrasound says. The budesonide is to treat the inflammation in the gut as is an alternative for prednisolone for kitties who cannot have pred. For Neko it's also a better option as it doesn't impact the BG as much as pred. My IBD/lymphoma civie is on pred.

Neko's Vetmedin is not flavored and comes as powder in a capsule, I've accidentally tasted a bit so I know it's bitter. I put her daytime Vetmedin in a capsule along with her Plavix which is also bitter. Paula @Woodsywife get's Smokey's Vetmedin compounded.

 

So glad the second cardiologist worked out so well. Prayers and more prayers!

 

I will call her tomorrow and see about the budesonide...thank you. The Vetmedin she gave me is beef flavored tablets- I will start them tomorrow they are chewable so I am pretty sure they are not bitter-she said they dissolve fast. He has been pretty good about pills lately. I will have to do 1/2 at a time even when he is at 2 a day--his mouth is not that big
I just carried him upstairs and he peed-ate and is cleaning himself on the bed
just curious why your civvie is not on the budesonide instead of pred? is it less effective?

 

@Wendy&Neko
@Woodsywife
have you both noticed good results with Vetmedin? Did it take long to notice? I am nervous about the possible diarrhea.....

 

adding more prayers.... and more vines.....
I hope it's just caused by medications so they can make Rico feel better.....

 

Prednisolone is the gold standard, I think it's supposed to be more effective, but it does have more side effects.

For me it was hard to say what was the effect of the Vetmedin. Neko was diagnosed with IBD/lymphoma a couple of days before the HCM/CHF diagnosis. She had 4 meds added at once. She started budesonide 3 days before the Vetmedin. Her appetite improved within a couple of days. A month afterwards, she had a repeat mini-echo which showed her HCM was transient. The cardio vet didn't know for sure what caused it. It could have been either the lymphoma or a heart event, but in either case whatever meds she was getting are working. But we are still on the Vetmedin.

ETA: Neko never had diarrhea, more the opposite.

 

Prayers....Wishing you and Rico all the best. So very hard.. sounds like he is getting amazing care both from you and the vets!

 

@jayla-n-Drevon, such a relief to read about the new cardiologist and her findings so far. I'm so glad you found her!

You must be exhausted, both emotionally and physically! I hope you can sleep tonight.

There are lots more vines where those came from, and they are headed your way!

 

Sending get well & healthy heart vines to Rico!

 

So glad Rico got to a vet that could help him. I hope he feels better soon. Lots of hugs to you for all the stress you have been through. I hope you can get some rest today.

 

I am so very happy to read this update today!!!! The new cardiologist sounds great!!! Prayers, hugs, vines, everything possible still going up for you and Rico!!!! And thanks to Elise for keeping us updated!!! Hang in there Jayla and Rico!!!!

 

So glad little Rico is home with you, sending much love and vines for a full recovery.

 

Jayla, I am so very happy to read this this AM! Continued prayers to Rico. And chin scratches for Dre!

 

Adding more prayers. I hope it's just from the pred.

 

Jayla

So happy to hear that Rico is home and some directions for treatment are in place.

Sending more prayers, get well energy and

 

I just talked to her about the budesonide--she is not very familiar with it but the internist that is in her office has used it with mixed results. Like you said she thinks we need to have better control (he had water poo this morning) and then she is fine with trying to switch him over. She is going to talk to her internist and if needed I will consult with her as we are going for a recheck on Monday. He is so subdued... I know he has had a rough 2 days but I hate seeing him like this... I was so afraid to give the pred but she said she would like to follow the plan and review on Monday-(of course if things get very bad or good to call her)
I did start the Vetmedin (a low dose) this morning)

 

Jayla,
So sorry you and Rico are having such challenging times..........I believe a lot in the healing power of positive thoughts. The waiting is the hardest part, but here is hoping every day Rico gets healthier and stronger, and you can find some peace and breathe a little easier. Thoughts are with you today, across the miles..........

 

Sending Hugs and Light your way- But so happy that its been such good news so far, and that the cardiologist is so open and helpful- and was able to see him!!

Will keep you in our thoughts and prayers!

 

So glad Rico is home, out of acute distress and you have a plan.

As far as the vetmedin, Smokey gets it mixed with 2 other meds into one suspension, so I call it his cocktail. And he gets ASA twice a week which is separate (I never posted this but I messed up the ASA). Smokey was suppose to get 0.2ml of ASA once on Monday and once on Thursday. I'd messed up and gave it twice a day on both days for over a month. So it's been on hold the last couple of weeks.

Anyway, he has responded well with no side affects. I don't know if the meds start being effective immediately or not. But since July, Smokey has not coughed, mouth breath, no tongue sticking out and what I called snoring or sleeping noises have stopped, there hasn't been any whistle when exhaling. He still grunts when he eats but I don't think that is heart related. It's being a piggy.

I also think Smokey had the problem long before diagnosis. I always complained about his noises. But was always told, no murmur, no fluid, labs all perfect. In March when the pancreatitis was dx by ultrasound, they said possible HCM, cardiomyopathy, CHF. Echo suggested but wait until the pancreatitis resolves. That brings us to mid May where he started coughing and one day tongue sticking out and labored breating. ER put him in oxygen, they said CHF and asthma. Gave us lasix and was told to get the inhaler from Canada because they did have any. So I asked what do I do to help his breathing until it gets here 7-10 days? You have him in oxygen, I don't have that at home. The tech came out and said the did so that was okay. My vet said to stop the lasix since he didn't see fluid on the film's they sent him and it was asthma. But don't give the steroid inhaler only use the rescue. So that brings us to end of June where the echo was done. Dx in signature. No CHF but lasix to prevent it. As explained to me the meds are now to protect the heart from further deterioration much like a Teflon coating. ASA is to help prevent blood clots as he did have a heart attack early in the year. His next echo is in September. I don't know if the heart can get back to normal size or if it's once enlarged always enlarged thing.

Sorry for the novel, thought the chain of events was important. Smokey has regular vet appts every 3 months with blood panel and thyroid done (my choice to catch anything early) yet none of it was picked up. Unless US, xrays, echo are done. I believe a lot gets past the doctors until it's serious . How often do you do the tests on a healthy animal or human for that matter? You can't blame yourself or doctors.

 

I believe Neko's heart size has improved if my memory serves me correctly. I'm surprised they are not keeping Rico on a small dose of Lasix if the had fluid but maybe the thought is that the SubQ fluids were the reason for his fluids and by stopping them it will resolve. Either way, just keeping you Jayla and Rico in my thoughts and prayers.

 

Sending more prayers and vines, and a special, pretty kitty-nurse for Rico!
Get well soon, Rico! <3

 

Sending healing vines for Rico and hugs for Jayla.

Marshmallow also was on Budesonide because pred caused her FD. The Budesonide definitely helped her IBD.

So glad Rico is home!

 

Thank you for taking the time to write this--I am going to re-read it when my head is not spinning ....I don't know what ASA is?

 

Yes, her hypertrophy has resolved, meaning that the size of her heart walls reduced, in most part back to her normal. She had an echo in October 2015, and things looked pretty much the same as they had over 2 years before. So the increase in heart size this May was a surprise and then the decrease back in June even more so. Transient hypertrophy is unusual. For most kitties, once the heart wall is thicker, it stays that way. Neko likes being different. Neko still gets Vetmedin and Plavix (clot preventer used instead of ASA or baby aspirin), cause who knows - it could return just as quickly. No Lasix for us, stopping giving fluids did away with that problem for now, and fluids is one theory for the cause of her heart problem.

One month after starting budesonide, Neko's followup ultrsound showed "moderate regression". The small intestine wall is still thicker than normal, but decreased about 25%. I expect prednisilone would have done better than that, but any symptoms Neko had have mostly gone away so it's definitely helping.

One other thing I meant to mention - I noticed a change in Neko's resting respiration rate (RR) within a couple of days of starting Vetmedin but it kept improving over a couple of weeks. I did a daily log for a while, now it's less often. I don't know if the cardio vet has you monitoring the RR. When they are deep asleep, you want to measure the number of complete in and out breathing cycles they do per minute. Ideally you want it under 30, but if it increases then that's a sign the heart is having to work harder and may be time to call the vet.

 

ASA is aspirin. Dose is small, not everyday as it can be toxic. So I am still concerned the error I did could have affected his liver or kidneys. The vet was more concerned with GI bleed. But says we can wait until his labs are done next month as long as there are no symptoms.

 

Sending vines and prayers for sweet Rico for a speedy recovery.

 

More vines and prayers for Rico. Hang in there sweet boy.

 

Thanks Wendy.... Yes she has me monitoring his breathing rate.... it was 36 tonight.
I am giving the vetmedin shortly-- I try to separate from the pred by an hour or so. (as well as his other stuff)
He has lost about 1/2 pound so this is good as it was fluids most likely .... he is normally a 12-12.5 pound boy and yesterday he was 13.7
he was 13.1 this morning. Hopefully the rest of that fluid will come off tomorrow.
She also said his heart was not that enlarged....
He is sill doing his regular stuff just much slower and sleeps more.

 

This has been a very challenging week with Rico and a bunch of other things that just seem to keep coming..... This forum is the thing that keeps me going....I am so grateful for each and every single one of the thoughts-vines-prayers.....every single one has touched my and my boys lives in such a significant way --unending gratitude to each and everyone.

 

So HAPPY to read you found a good cardiologist with a plan..sending continued boatloads of healing and soothing vines to you and Rico

 

(((Jayla)))

I am so sorry for you and sweet little Rico. This is exactly what happened to Gracie....the pred weakened her heart. She did not have fluid buildup in her pericardium or lungs but in her body so no CHF. They did put her on lasix.

When they have lymphoma, there is a bigger risk that the pred will affect the heart. I wish I had known this and used Budesonide instead. I'm sorry your little guy has to go through this and still has the runny diarrhea.

I don't know if it will give you hope but Gracie's heart issues completely resolved; they weaned her off the pred and her heart returned to normal. I will hope and pray this will also happen for Rico.

 

Sending prayers and vines for Rico. Huge hugs Jayla

 

So I decided to cut the morning pred in 1/2 today and see how it goes.
When I came home from work I put him in the lb and he peed then he had almost a normal poo !!!! At least for him.
He is very tired doesn't do much but he is eating and I hope the vetmedin kicks in soon and maybe Monday we can switch from pred to budesonide.
Not seeing him drink much at al but he is back to his pre- pred weight which I hope means no retention.
Thank you for the continued prayers

 

Jayla, I am so glad to hear Rico is eating some food and had an almost normal poop. That is good news.
I am sure you must be exhausted mentally and physically.
Sending a plane load of Aussie vines to Rico.

 

Yay for an almost normal poo! I'm glad Rico is showing some improvement. Sending prayers.

 

That's such good news that Rico had an almost normal poop!!! Prayers for continued improvement Jayla!!!!

 

thank you thank you thank you --each and every one!!!!
your prayers-thoughts and vibes are helping my baby boy
@Wendy&Neko
I am wondering if Neko ever had any sneezing issues ??
Rico never has and since I started the vetmedin he has had some little sneezing fits-- I know Elise had some issues with Max a while ago and thought maybe herpes?? He has never had it but I know he has been stressed? Just wondering if there is a connection to the new medicine?
It seems to be more so after or during when he is eating ....

 

Neko never had sneezing, but my civie Theo did shortly after he started prednisilone. Pred can compromise the immune system and any lingering bug may surface.

 

Very glad to see your update and Rico is doing well. Always sending lots of vines and prayers to your and the boys.

 

Vines and hugs from Gussie and I too!

 

Jayla, I'm so glad to hear that Rico is doing a little better today! Sending more prayers and vines!

 

Pred can cause weight gain but I wouldn’t have thought it would happen that soon. Usually if you are seeing a weight gain in a cat with CHF, it could due to accumulated fluid. I’d keep an eye on his breathing, etc.

Sending a ton more healing vines and prayers for you and your sweetest boy!

 

Hi Marje
He is back to his fighting weight !
His resp rate tonight is 32

Reducing pred a day early I hope it works out.
Hoping to switch to budesonide Monday when we see cardio.
He is pretty subdued still and last night he was sleeping so deeply I had to stare to make sure he was breathing. It was very shallow but today he is just a touch more alert. Baby steps.

 

All cats have the herpes virus in them (as do people), but in some it never becomes active. Sneezing is definitely a symptom - it was Harvey's first symptom. Some vets feel giving L-lysine helps. Some don't. I'm giving it. Won't hurt.

Sending continuous vines for Rico.

BTW, how's our Dre doing??

 

Great!! I'm happy he's so much better! I hope it also works well to wean him off the pred and I hope they can do the Budesonide.

 

So this morning at 3:30 am I heard what I thought was Rico drinking from the fountain.... much to my surprise Rico was cleaning Dre!!!!
@Tricia Cinco(GA) & Harvey
Dre is doing well but confused why Rico isn't playing with him .... when Rico was cleaning him this morning he was so happy!!


I had been holding his dose although he need a increase I just am so exhausted to be chasing low numbers and well we know Dre (need a diver icon)
I increased him I think yesterday and his numbers are looking better-thank you for asking.

Then I took Rico to the LB and he had a NORMAL NO WATER POO!!!!! (yes I want to post the picture I took!)
Dre also had a good poo..... woot woot!!!!



I am holding the 2.5 pred morning and 5 tonight-
tomorrow I will go to 2.5 am and pm if his poo stays good.

The sneezing seems to be less now-

I am perplexed why he was 12.15# last night and this morning 13.1#
He is not drinking...never has.....( a lick here n there)
He was moving more this morning and the workers are here
@Marje and Gracie
The wonderful (I love her and the entire staff) cardiologist said she has no problem switching him over to Budesonide and if needed I can consult with her in house internist --she was going to talk to her before Monday tho. I have no idea how to transition.....cold turkey after last dose of pred when weaned off?
the power of prayer.....

 

I love this latest update!