Jack Is Ill: A Nightmare Few Days

Okay, as you know around three weeks ago Jack had his right thyroid gland removed due to having being diagnosed with hyperthyroidism.
He's been recoving well and gaining weight.
However the past two days he's been breathing very fast and his heartbeat has been extremely fast (you can feel it by putting your hand on his side)
So I took him back to the vets, the head nurse examined him, and said he should see the surgeon.
So the surgeon saw him, he examined him, looked in his eyes to see if the pupils dilated which they didn't. Now I'm assuming after having his thyroid problem that he has hypertension (high blood pressure) which can be caused by having a thyroid problem.
But the surgeon, asked if he'd been outside and hit by a car or something, he checked his claws etc, and I was like well no he's been inside since his operation?
He then said he thought he had neurological damage and that was why he was breathing funny and had a fast heartbeat. I don't understand why he's saying this, he thinks that he has had a blunt trauma to the head. I said well isn't it linked to his thyroid? and he said it wasn't.
But I am sure it is linked and he just needs to be treated for high blood pressure.
He gave him a 25mg atenolol, which he has to have a quarter of every day. Now I looked hypertension up and researched it on the net and it says that the symptoms of it are rapid heart rate or murmour and no response to light when shined in the eyes, which is exactly what happend with Jack.
I just don't understand why the vet has not noticed this and seen a link?
I am positive he has hypertension.

Basically he said to me, that I should bring him back today and think about having him put to sleep? I was like, I don't think so. Naturally I went to pieces and cried my eyes out. He even said don't be surprised if you get up in the morning and he's already gone.
But he is fine in himself, still washing, still using his scratching post and drinking, he's eaten but not a lot, but certainly not as if there is neurological damage?! He's not in any pain, though the vet said he may feel discomfort with his breathing, but if he's not in pain then I'm NOT putting him to sleep for god's sake.
He's lying on the sofa at the moment asleep, other than his fast breathing, he's fine all other ways.

So this morning I tried to ring another vets, not a charity one like I use, they basically said they can't see him without his medical history records, and the vet won't see him without these, I tried to explain to the receptionist about his condition, but she cut me off and just said 'I have a lot to do today we are fully booked and I can't talk to you about this now'
So basically I think they were saying as they knew I'd used the PDSA I wasn't very well off and probably wouldn't be able to afford to use them anyway. She said phone back on Monday and make an appointment with us.
I won't be doing that.

So I'm not taking Jack in today to see the emergency vet (as it's the weekend) as the surgeon said he'd leave a note, and if the note is to say to put him down, I am not doing that.
I will ring first thing Monday morning to get another appointment to see another vet and explain I want him looked at for hypertension, as it must be related to his hyperthyroidism.
I have to explore all options surely?
Do you think I'm being naive by trying to get him looked at regarding hypertension?
I think it was a complete mis diagnosis by the surgeon, he doesn't have neurological damage, has NOT had anything hit him in the head, and it must be to do with his thryoid. I don't understand why he didn't see this?
The main reason he said brain damage is because his pupils didn't respond to anything, but this IS one of the sypmtoms of hypertension.
I am going to print off all the stuff I've found on the internet and take it with me to show who I see, I have to have a second option surely?

I am emotionally ragged again, and my head is spinning.

I didn't mean to go on so long.

I would reallly like people's opinions on this as you are all experienced cat owners who may have had the same thing.

Kate

WOW! How scary. :( I truly have no idea what this could be, but I do know that I would be searching for that 2nd vet for another opinion.

Prayers for Jack.

Gee.. ((((HUGS))))) This would have me so stressed and upset and the #*&%^$# doctor won't listen and wants to put him to sleep?! :eek: I would still be on the phone calling until I found a vet that would see him today. We have vets around here that are open on Saturday.. I wouldn't tell them of all his other histroy, just that he has a rapid heart rate and you have noticed that his eyes are not responding to light and you want someone to see him before it turns critical.

After he/or she saw him and made a diagonses, then I would explaine about the other stuff and how the other vet wanted to put him to sleep and you don't think that is called for!

This whole thing sounds bizarre. Something seems 'off' with this vet. I'm wondering if something happened during the surgery and he is aware of it and you are not. It makes no sense for a vet to suggest putting him to sleep without exploring other options as you have suggested. I would find a new vet as soon as possible, perhaps one that you haven't yet called, and have your records sent over to them and start over with a vet that isn't biased. I hope that something can be discovered so that you can get to the bottom of this mystery. You must be very scared. Hang in there. :)

I'm so sorry to hear about Jack's condition. :( I agree with what the others said... print out what you have found on the net (I wonder how your vet would react to reading that!) It's horrific that he would suggest having him put to sleep! :eek: I think seeing another vet is a good idea.

I hope the cause of this will be found and Jack will get better soon!

Lots of positive thoughts to Jack and big hugs to you.

Thank you for your thoughts on this, it is so comforting to know there are other people who know what it's like to go through these things with our cats/pets.

I am determined to get to the bottom of this, and sort it. I will make sure Jack gets better.

Prayers for Jack!

I'm so sorry to hear this.:( I'm glad that you're going to get a second opinion. The surgeon may be trying to cover something up and this why he told you to put Jack to sleep.:( I hope you'll be able to find a wonderful caring vet that will help Jack. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are going out to Jack. Please continue to keep us updated about him.

That is a very strange story indeed. I think I would be getting a second or third opinon until I got to the bottom of it. Keep us posted.

I just posted on the thread on Cat General. Prayers...