chylothorax??

[GarpBas'nJen]

Nomilynn, Ozzlou, Slick, and Kim,

Thank you so much for the information, links and prayers.
Garp has been coughing a lot today again. It is just so frustrating because for a while things seem to go well and then the coughing starts up again. I wish there was a way for him to get better. The vet says that Garp does not really suffer under this, but I have trouble believing that because of the way he sounds when he coughs. It makes me so sad.

I am praying that Ozzy, Lucky, and Basset keep doing better also.

GarpBas'nJen

[Nomilynn]

My advice is to get another opinion from another vet. Has Garp had an xray? That will tell you if he has fluid in his plueral cavity. Has he had an ultrasound? That will show if he has heart trouble. I can't help but think the vet isn't doing ALL he can if he honestly believes a cat that coughs isn't suffering. If you think there is more to it, go with your gut feeling and get Garp to somewhere else. I didn't go with my gut feeling with Bassett at first, and when I finally did take her to my vet she was in pretty bad shape. Here you have a nad feeling, and your vet isn't responding!! It can't hurt to be safe.. good luck

PS- I'm not trying to bash your vet or be negative.. just if I was in your situation I would get a second opinion. I don't mean to offend

[Catsnclay]

YES!! I totally agree with Naomi!! I too listened to my vet, and just waited...........until Lucky was in complete distress! This is NOT good for your cat or you!! Trust us!!

Besides a second opinion never hurts! Make sure you get that x-ray..........and if there is fluid, make sure they tap him to get rid of it. It will NOT go away on its own or by medication!!!!!

[Miss Meow]

I'm with Naomi and Catsnclay. For your own peace of mind, seek another opinion, preferably from a feline specialist or an animal heart specialist - they're sometimes hard to find but they do exist.

Mini had similar symptoms and we had x-rays and ultrasounds to diagnose a rare heart condition called PDA, which was causing his lungs to fill with blood from the heart and cause coughing as the main symptom. It was a relief to know what we were dealing with, but heartbreaking to learn that he only had two months to a year to live if we didn't try the surgery option. We took the risk and he lived to tell the tale. He's the meezer boy at the right of my sig pic

Welcome to PT Garp, your cats are stunning, truly beautiful characters

Good luck to all of you going through these problems, and hope for good news.

[ozzlou]

hi you guys.

ozzy was tapped again yesterday, for 140cc's.
i have decided against surgery, because i read a few things that said it only worked for 30% of kitties, and thoracic surgery is pretty painful. i couldn't do that to him unless i knew it would work for sure.
so now, its tap tap tap...pray he doesn't get an infection, or a collapsed lung...when he seems like he's had enough, god will let me know what to do.
i have lots to be thankful for...like my vet being so wonderful, a job that lets me leave early to take him to the vet...
and most important,
ozzy doesn't seem to be suffering, and he's co-operative with getting tapped.
i won't stop praying though.
thanks for the support you guys,
take care,
ozzlou

[Nomilynn]

Originally posted by ozzlou
hi you guys.

ozzy was tapped again yesterday, for 140cc's.
i have decided against surgery, because i read a few things that said it only worked for 30% of kitties, and thoracic surgery is pretty painful. i couldn't do that to him unless i knew it would work for sure.
so now, its tap tap tap...pray he doesn't get an infection, or a collapsed lung...when he seems like he's had enough, god will let me know what to do.
i have lots to be thankful for...like my vet being so wonderful, a job that lets me leave early to take him to the vet...
and most important,
ozzy doesn't seem to be suffering, and he's co-operative with getting tapped.
i won't stop praying though.
thanks for the support you guys,
take care,
ozzlou

I'm so sorry you are being faced with this decision. It's very hard and frustrating You and Ozzy are always in my prayers.. good luck.

[Catsnclay]

You are in our thoughts too!

Just keep us posted and we will be here for your support!

[GarpBas'nJen]

I would go for another opinion but my vet is one of a team of vets in this quadrant of Rotterdam, who have all looked at Garp (he has been seen by about 6 vets). My vet is a heart specialist, and when I went in with Garp the first time he showed this problem (a month after I got him), the vet did do an xray. At that time his heart was enlarged. The vet started him on furosemide, and initially this was enough to ease the problem. But eventually it alone didn't help. And the vet wanted him not to use furosemide every day if it could be helped since this can affect the electrolyte balance / kidneys. We tried a homeopathic solution which helped for a short while but again the coughing returned. Then we tried fortecor (kind of like kitty digoxine to strengthen the hearts pumping). It also seemed to help for a while, but frustratingly the coughing started again. The vet seems now to think that the enlarged heart was caused by a lung problem, but there have been no further tests to actually make a diagnosis,he told me that the result would probably not change the treatment significantly. He said that the enlarged heart in the xray could be a result of lung insufficiency, since the heart and lungs work together closely. Since Garp is taking prednisone things seem to be going a bit better, but since he doesn't get prednisone all the time, he still has days that the coughing spells return. Prednison is really bad for the kidneys not to mention other systems within the body so the vet wants him to only take it when he has been coughing. I think the first step is to actually get more testing done (like you all suggested) and a diagnosis made. Problem is that the symptoms come and go (especially with the medication use) so by the time it is one of the doctor's sitting hours the symptoms have subsided.

[Steffi N]

Healing thoughts and sympathy coming your way, Ozzy and Garp.
I'm thankful that Ozzy is not suffering and I can only hope that Garp is not either. Gentle pets and skritichies coming your way.

[slick]

Oh poor Garp and Ozzy! I really wish there was something more I could do to help you both. Please know you are in my daily prayers always.

[GarpBas'nJen]

Thank you all so much for your support and prayers.

[ozzlou]

you guys are awesome!

ozzy & i appreciate your prayers...who knows, miracles happen every day-right?

i will keep you all posted on how ozzy is doing.
thanks again, for the well-wishes.

ozzlou

[ozzlou]

hi you guys,

i thought i'd give everyone an update...unfortunately there is little improvement.
ozzy has been getting tapped every week for a few weeks now. he started prednisone last week, and the coughing has greatly decreased, however he seems to be breathing harder and faster than ususal. and he seems to be using his accessory muscles to breathe- which is not good. labored breathing puts a lot of strain on the heart.
we'll be making our weekly visit to the vet tomorrow.
my heart is aching, i just want him better. i stare at him constantly. i had such a different picture when i first adopted him. his mama gave birth to 7 kitties, under a porch at my job, in ny.
ozzy was the last kitty to be adopted- i hesitated cuz i didn't know how my greyhound would like a kitty. but ozzy was too cute, so i scooped him up, and brought him home. ozzy was 4 months, louie was 6 yrs old. one swat from ozzy scared the hell outta louie, and let him know that ozzy was not food, or a rabbit. ever since then, they have been the best of friends. ozzy was supposed to be with me til he was a fiesty old kitty...2 yrs old is far too young to be taken...no fair.

but i'm still praying.
ozzlou

[slick]

Ozzlou - My heart aches for you and I can't image how you must be feeling, but try to remain optimistic. Max, Specks, and me are praying really really hard that a miracle will happen.

[Steffi N]

I am sorry to hear that Ozzy is not doing well. Hopefully the vet will be able to help. Our hearts and prayers are with you.