Update on Annie Cat

[1monster]

Last night I posted that my husband's favorite cat was dying of heart failure. I brought her home from the vet's after an emergency visit, not sure that I'd done the right thing, but willing to give it to this morning, hoping for the best. I honestly didn't think she'd make it through the night and the vet wasn't sure she would either.

This morning, Annie is 100% better than she was last night, but still has a long way to go. Last night her breathing was very labored, she had fluid in her lungs, her throat was swollen, her breath was bad enough to knock out a horse, and every time she tried to drink water, she cried out in pain (in a very hoarse strained voice).

Her breath now smells like tuna, she is breathing much easier, and able to drink and eat tuna with no problem, although she still cries out when she tries to eat dry food.

The vets are unsure at this point whether it is actually heart failure or not. Apparently, the lungs were so full of fluids last night that they could not see the heart on the X-rays, but the other symptoms were consistant with heart failure.

I've given her a dose of antibiotics, and as soon as she settles down from that, I get to give her the steroids, both of those Rxs I was able to have compounded into a suspension. The really hard part will be to give her the lasix... That dose was to small to be put in a suspension. I think I'll go look for my armor plated suit before trying to put that one in her mouth.

Then to build her back up. The poor thing is just fur and bones at the moment.

I think she might be going to be okay.

[joeybee12]

1. Great news! I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Keep us updated!

[diddlysquat]

2. Thanks for the update!

[mike_c]

3. best of luck....

God I hate it when cats get sick. They're so good at hiding symptoms that by the time we become aware of their illness they're usually REALLY sick. Best wishes for a full recovery!

[Merlot]

4. I think the best thing you did was to bring her home!

The stress of being at the vets is so hard on cats. When they're sick they need quiet and safety, and their favorite human close by to tend to their needs.

One thing I've learned is that cats are a mystery to most vets. If you question them enough, you'll find out that they don't really know whats wrong with the cat.

Just keep feeding her a good diet (no dried food!). You might try my cats favorite recipe for her throat. I take a chicken drumstick, skin and all, and toss it in a small pot with enough water to cover it. Also throw in a small piece of fresh garlic (natures antibiotic). Let it simmer for an hour or so, then scoop off the top part where it's all oily from the chicken skin. That's my cats favorite part! Serve warm to sooth her throat and keep her hydrated. My cat will take about a tablespoon full out of a saucer and lick it right up.

Good luck, Annie Cat!

[1monster]

5. I have six other cats, so I have to keep the dry food out all the time,

but until her throat is better, I'm keeping tuna and chicken and such out for her. She wanted to try the dry food. I get a premium brand (having learned the hard way that while cats may lake the cheaper brands, feline urinary syndrome can be a side effect.

Thanks for the recipe. I'll try it.

[Merlot]

6. 6 cats - you're brave!

I also learned about the FUS the hard way. One of my cats can only have a little dry food mixed wth wet.

With the sore throat, and fluid in her lungs, maybe AnnieCat had a cold instead of heart problems. When ever one of my cats starts sneezing, he gets the chicken broth treatment right away. Seems to help, but who knows?