concern for a friend's cat

lizardlady · Dec 17, 2016, 09:09 AM

Mixed news from the vet yesterday. No coronavirus in the fluid from her chest cavity, which means it's not FIP. That's good. The vet is now talking possible congenital heart defect, kidney failure or cancer. Not good. My friend (and I) are heartbroken over the idea that putting her down is a possibility

Meanwhile the little girl continues to eat and gain a little weight. Keep those positive vibes coming folks.

cakeladie · Dec 18, 2016, 07:50 AM

Positive vibes and lots of prayers and hugs from California

lizardlady · 12:15 PM

Lots has gone on since I last posted.

I went to the vet with friend and Ciara last week. Vet did an ECG, chest x-ray and took her blood pressure. It's not a heart problem. At this point the vet has eliminated enough things that they are looking at either an infection in the chest cavity or kidney damage/failure. The local vet is suggesting a an appointment with the state vet college for a consult.

My friend called me this morning in tears. If it's an infection in the chest cavity they will have to do surgery to put in a chest tube. If it's kidneys, well, that will eventually be fatal. Surgery for the chest tube would be $4-5K. My suggestion was to take Ciara for the vet school consult. That way my friend can make an informed decision. If it's kidneys, there's no point in doing surgery. If it's a chest infection, then there's the tough decision about cost. The vet and I both suggested Care Credit if it looks like surgery is the answer. My friend is agonizing over the amount of money vs. how much she loves Ciara. For non-animal folks it would be a no brainer of a decision - put the animal down. For those of us who love our critters and consider them family it is an agonizing choice. I've already decided that if Ciara needs surgery I will loan my friend the money if she doesn't qualify for Care Credit.

Folks, please keep those positive thoughts coming.

On the positive side, Ciara is eating, cuddling a lot and cleaning herself. At her sickest she stopped doing any of those things. You cat folks know that a kitty has to be really sick to stop grooming itself.

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edited to add...
We have an appointment on 1-17-17 for the consult at the vet school. At least my friend will have some answers then.

lizardlady · Jan 16, 2017, 10:58 AM

Ciara seems to be continuing to improve. She's gaining weight, etc. We are still going to the vet school hospital tomorrow.That way my friend will have a definite answer what is going on.

Travelinglady · Jan 16, 2017, 06:41 PM

Okay, well wishes......

Nammu · Jan 16, 2017, 06:52 PM

Tomorrow is the big day........sending vibes for a good result

Unrigged64072835 · Jan 16, 2017, 07:00 PM

Hope things look up for Ciara.

cakeladie · Jan 16, 2017, 07:49 PM

Positive vibes and prayers for both the fur baby and the mom. Liz take care you have a lot of driving to do

cakeladie · Jan 17, 2017, 08:31 PM

Any word yet? Still sending prayers and positive vibes

lizardlady · Jan 18, 2017, 07:19 AM

Mixed results about Ciara. They tested for FIP again. Result using a different test was still negative. Her heart, lungs, liver an0d kidneys are okay. The vet at the uni hospital saw what he thinks might be a blood clot in one of her major arteries near her diaphragm. Ciara goes back to the hospital for an angiogram later this week. The clot could be caused by different things. They can develop a treatment plan when they find out more. Please keep those positive thoughts/vibes coming.

I posted elsewhere that due to a medical condition driving a lot has a negative impact on me. I'm exhausted and in a lot of pain after all the driving the last couple of days.

lizardlady · Jan 24, 2017, 07:28 PM

Ciara had the angiogram Friday. It was not a blood clot. The vena cava (major vein that returns blood to the heart from the body) is not doing it's job. It narrows down to almost a pinprick. CT scan shows other blood vessel "abnormalities." The vet on the case said he has never seen anything like this before. He posted the CT video on line to ask other vets if they've ever seen it and what to do. At this point he is thinking it's most likely a congenital condition. The thing that puzzles me about that is that she was a normal, healthy, active cat until a few months ago. Seems like if she had problems with blood vessels since she was born she would have had problems before this.

I hate to give up hope, but it's not looking good for the little girl at this point.

Nammu · Jan 24, 2017, 07:55 PM

cakeladie · Jan 25, 2017, 04:42 PM

lizardlady · Jan 25, 2017, 06:19 PM

I got a text today that Ciara is eating well and active. This has become quite a roller coaster.

lizardlady · Feb 14, 2017, 06:56 PM

It's been a couple of weeks since I posted an update. Things are both good and maybe not so good. Ciara is eating well, gaining a little muscle mass, plays with her brother and generally acts like a healthy, happy cat. She's even got some peach fuzz growing where they had to shave her tummy.

On the not so good side, she has developed another effusion in her abdomen. There's a long complicated explanation what might be causing it that I'm not going to get into. The vet at the hospital prescribed a diuretic for her to see if that will help her get rid of the excess fluid. If he has to he will do another tap to drain it, but would prefer not to.

We, including the vet, are taking it as a good sign that she is acting like a normal kitty. She's not in pain and is enjoying life. We still don't know how this is going to turn out, but it's good for now.

Oh yeah, the vet got some responses to the video of her echocardiogram. The overwhelming response is "That's weird!" One vet in New York suggested surgery to open her chest and take a look at what's going on. My friend, the vet on the case and I all agree that's a terrible idea!

So, folks, please keep those thoughts, prayers, whatever coming. It seems to be helping.

Nammu · Feb 14, 2017, 07:05 PM

That's good news. Thanks for the update.

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concern for a friend's cat

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