cat with heart problems

My cat Kedi (8 yr. old M. Coon/Himilayen mix) is at the vet inside of an incubator right now. The vet just called to say that he has diagnosed him with heart problems. :(

Off and on for a short while he has been vomitting more than usual, and wheezing (it's been a few weeks). Every time I would think I needed to take him to the vet, he would stop with those symptoms and seem fine. I finally took him in today, and am VERY glad that I did!

Does anyone know much about heart problems in cats? Or has anyone experienced them before? What chance is there that he could be okay with meds? :confused:
I know I will eventually get answers form the vet- he is referring us to a specialist later this week. I just thought someone out there might have some info for me, because I am worried.

Prayers and good wishes too........Thanks.

Oh NO!!! Yorkster- I am so so sorry. Poor Kedi! I have not expericened any heart problems with my Meezers....Oh I will keep you and your family in my prayers and we'll keep our paws and tails crossed. Please keep us posted and tell Kedi we ALL want him to get better.....

My Mr. B. suffered from the very same symptoms as your Kedi. He too spent several days in the "incubator" at a critical care facitlity after suffering complete respiratory arrest. At first, they thought he might be suffering from cardio myopathy, a serious but not uncommon heart condition seen in kitties. He had already been diagnosed with asthma. (Your Kedi's symptoms sound very much like asthma.) Cardio myopathy in Mr. B was ruled out, though they did find some cardiac irregularities. (Slight heart enlargement and a valve problem) He was on some pretty potent cardiac drugs for a while, then weaned off them. For 5 years now he has been asympomatic, though we still watch and treat him for asthmatic episodes. My best advice would be to wait and see until the specialist has examined him. What cardiac problems did your vet diagnose? Did he give you a name?? Do you know what tests were done? A cardiogram, chest xray and ultrasound are the tests most commonly done when diagnosing heart conditions in cats. I know how very frightenend you must be. I certainly was. But, there are so many heart conditions that can be treated with medications. Until you get a definite diagnosis, try to think positive thoughts. I know I will be praying with all my might that your precious baby Kedi will come through this OK. You sound like a very special, very loving kitty Mom. Kedi is lucky to have you watching over him. Please let me know if you have any more specific info. on what your vet has already diagnosed. Maybe then we can talk more about what they may do to treat this. All paws at my house are crossed, and tonight, extra special prayers will be said for Kedi. Love and good wishes to you and dear Kedi. Fondly, Sandra, Mr. B and Oliver

Thanks both LoudLou and Tatsxxx11 :)

I picked Kedi up at the vet earlier tonight. They gave him a shot of cordizone and a duiretic (spelling?) to see if that helps. If so, then we will get a prescription for them. :eek:
In the meantime, something is going to be set up with a specialist. I guess he is difficult to get in to see, so it may end up being late this week or early next week.
We are suposed to keep Kedi from getting stressed or playing until then- it's kind of difficult because we also have a 1 yr. old kitten and a dog.

Tatsxxx.....yes, one of the things that was brought up was Cardiomyopathy like you mentioned. The vet did blood work and took x-rays. He was on oxygen for a few hours. His heart is quite enlarged, and his lungs have fluid that has also caused bronchitis.
I guess we won't know anything for sure until the specialist runs some tests. :confused:
Oh. And by-the-way: your Mr. Big looks ALOT like my Kedi. Long hair, creamy-white, with some orange markings, and blue eyes.

One good thing is that he seems to feel fine when he is not wheezing, etc. :) I am just glad that he is not suffering right now.

Oh no Yorkster, that is so sad... I don't know anything about cats heart problems, so I can't help, but I just wanted you to know we'll be thinking on Kedi and sending good vibes for him!

I'm so sorry to hear about Kedi - you must be so worried - we're all keeping him in our thoughts. Fingers and paws crossed over here. Good luck. Nose kisses for Kedi xxxx.

Lynne

So Sorry Yorkster you're having to go through this with your sweet baby. I'm praying like mad for you and Kedi and hope this baby will be getting well really soon. I'll be thinking about you!!!!

I'll be thinking of poor Kedi too and sending good vibes. ;) Hope he will get better soon!

All the very best to you and Kedi!!!

Hugs and purrs from
Fister & his mom :)

I'm so sorry to hear that Kedi is unwell. You must be beside yourself with worry. I cannot offer any advice but loats of prayers and good wishes are certainly coming your way.

So sorry to hear about poor Kedi, but glad to hear he is feeling a little better. It just really bothers me when I hear about an animal that is sick like this. The poor things don't know what's going on. They're not like kids where you can explain "you have a cold" or whatever. At least you took him in before it got too bad so they should be able to do something for him.

We all send our best wishes and hope he's feeling better soon!

Hi Yorkster. I'm glad to hear that Kedi is home and feeling better. As animals and pets get older, their hearts do sometimes enlarge and the ability of the heart muscle to contract and expand becomes less efficient. This can cause fluid to collect, causing the symptoms you described. Good news is this condition is often very well controlled with medications that strengthen cardiac output and with diuretics. You and Kedi are in my thoughts daily, and we will be praying that your trip to the specialist brings you some reassuring news. What a hard time for us fur parents.:( We're all with you in spirit and sending you and Kedi our love. Hugs from Sandra, Mr. B and Oliver

Yorkster, how is Kedi doing? Do you have a date yet with the specialist? Please know I am thinking of you and Kedi.:) Please give her a hug from me and a gentle nose rubbie from my Mr. B (he knows how he feels:( ) and my little one Oliver.

All fingers, paws, and tails are crossed here too for you and your dear Kedi. Extra prayers are in order also. Please keep us posted.

Kedi update: We have a prescription of diuretics and an apt. with a cardio specialist on Monday the 18th. He seems to feel quite a bit better today :)
however, he is not the same kitty he was. I hope and pray that there is nothing seriously wrong, and that some good meds will help.
Today he even gave us his famous 'kitty kisses' (nuzzles your ears- he is obsessed with ears!) :D

It was weird, but both my dog and other cat (Wylie) did not want anything to do with him for the first day after he came home. :(
I know it made him sad that his best buddy did not like him for awhile. Wylie was even kind of scared, and would not eat- I think he thought it was another kitty and not his brother.
Everything is back to normal now though. They are back to being lover-boys again :rolleyes: :)

Once again, thanks to all of you for your kind words & wishes.
And tatsxxx (Sandra, correct?) thank you soooo much for the info you have passed on to me. It has made me breathe a little easier to hear that there is a good chance he will live and feel well for some time to come. :D

I'm so glad Kedi is feeling better. I bet the others didn't want to have anything to do with him because he smelled different. They get the smell of the vets office on them and that brings back unhappy memories for the others. My cats all do that when one goes to the vet. Guess they are afraid I'll take them next. I hope you get good news at the cardo's. Fingers, paws and tails all crossed here.

Poor little Kedi. Its good to hear he is feeling better. I bet it was that he had a different smell to him when he came home. Hope the diuretics and cortisone cont. to help (that cortisone does wonders for my asthma when I really need it).
Keep us posted and will keep him in my prayers.

Glad Kedi is feeling better and hope everything turns out well for him. I'm glad his best buddy is back because he needs that love and affection right now when he's not 100%.

When I brought Tubby home from the Vet the other day, Peanut came up and started sniffing at him - which she normally doesn't do. Of course being the snot that he is, Tubby took his frustration of having to go to the vet out on her (sometimes he's a big meany to her). She was just trying to lick him and make his owwie better and he turns on her and the hair goes flying. :rolleyes: So I'm glad Kedi has his buddy back for some good snuggles. :)