Gravely ill kitty....help!

[Jennie Lu]

My 11 yr old buddy, Sam, an 11 lb orange short hair domestic kitty, became suddenly ill around 7pm Fri. 06/17. He was fine all day, playing, eating, socializing, then at 7 I found him on his side on the floor with a frothy, bloody mouth having severe difficulty breathing. Apparently, between 630pm and 7pm he coughed up a hairball with a small piece of catnip in it and then vomited a clear fluid with red blood (about 3 - 4 tsp) in my upstairs bathroom. He then made his way downstairs to where I found him near the foot of the stairs. When I picked him up and rushed him to my car, he "screamed" for lack of better description, and vomited more blood and clear fluid. He urinated on my lap during the 4 minute ride to the vet, still desparately trying to breathe. At the vet's he "screamed" and vomited blood yet again.

They gave him oxygen, which helped him, did a chest xray, and tapped the lungs. No fluid from either lung, but the xray showed his stomach full of air and his lungs badly clouded. He spent 4 hours in an oxygen tent (fishtank), and he improved his breathing, although it was still difficult for him. An IV was started as well as antibiotics (IV at first, then oral).

I saw him twice Saturday, about 4 hours apart, and saw a dramatic improvement at each visit. Sunday was even better as he was no longer having problems breathing and got up, walked over to me for loving, and purred the whole time. He did not eat, but showed interest in food by sniffing it and licking it.

Xrays today (Monday) showed that part of the lungs cleared up, but the rest did not and even showed a larger amount of what seems to be fluid in the plueral cavity. However, tapping the chest still doesn't get any fluid. Bloodwork is normal, temperature is normal, test for heartworm was sent off with the results expected in 24 hours, heart is not enlarged and no murmurs or defects are heard, although it is beating faster than it should. With activity, his color (roof of mouth, gums, tongue) turns blue, then pinks up right away.

When I saw him today he was laying in his cage, not moving. His breathing is not labored, but he looked very, very bloated, and had fluid seeping from where his chest had been tapped. He felt as if he had been given subcutaneous fluid all over his body. His IV was in ok, and he'd been given only a maintenance doseage since he's not eating or drinking. I picked him up to hold him and he perked up a little, grooming on my face and purring loudly. The vet gave him some Valium to try and encourage him to eat, and he showed interest in his food, but again just licked it.

He was force-fed rather than inserting a feeding tube at this time, and antibiotics were changed to a stronger type and amount, and given by IV. If no improvement tomorrow...?

Several vets have gotten involved and all are puzzled. Sam was a very healthy cat prior to this incident, and has never had coughing, trouble breathing, loss of appetite...nothing. He also has not had a repeat of the "screaming" and severe difficulty breathing since his initial arrival at the vet's. His vet suggested lung cancer as a possibility, but is unable to aspirate anything. Another suggestion is heart failure, but his heart sounds good and is not enlarged. It breaks my heart to see him sick and not know what to do to help him. I'm sure that he's not enjoying hanging around in a vet cage, either, and would much rather be home.

I apologize for the length of this post, but I'm hoping someone out there may have some suggestions for helping Sam. I realize I may need to make the hard decision to have him euthenized, and I certainly don't want him to suffer, but I want to know that I've done everything possible to help him before doing that. We're all at a loss here as to what is wrong, so any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[moosmom]

Jennie Lu,

I am so sorry to hear about your beautiful, brave boy, Sam.

Do what you have to do. Albeit, push for more testing or make the ultimate decision. Just remember, Sam's best interest is the most important.

I will pray for you and Sam. PT prayers have come through time and again. Maybe they'll come through for Sam, once again!!

Whatever you decide, now that we are here for you!

(((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))

Donna and furkids

[Karen]

Is he indoor only? Is there any chance that he ate something he shouldn't have? Did they test for common poisons? Poor guy, I hope they can figure this out!

[Jennie Lu]

He's strictly indoor only. I worried at first that he got hold of a thread and needle from my daughter's room and had the needle caught in his throat...but no. I thought, too, about poisons, but nothing out in the house. They treated him for poisoning, allergic reaction, just about any possibility. They started this evening to give him Lasix for the subq fluid buildup.

It's truly a mystery and a worry. A disappointment today, too, after seeing him improve Sat & Sun. I miss the little love...he's such a snuggler.

[Jennie Lu]

P.S. they treated him for electrical shock, too, even though he didn't have any burns and never chews cords...only string and ribbon so I've got to keep them packed away.

[RedHedd]

Oh poor baby! I do hope that whatever it is, they find out what it is and can treat him. Prayers going out your way. I know what it's like to have a sick kitty (I thnk we all do)

[krazyaboutkatz]

Poor Sam. I sure hope that the vet will be able to find out what's causing his problems and that it's treatable. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent your way.

[smokey the elder]

Poor Sam! I hope he pulls through. At first I thought it sounded like poisoning but that seems to have been ruled out.

[TopCat3]

Adding my best wishes and prayers for Sam's recovery, poor little love. Have no suggestions, sorry.

[Randi]

Oh poor Sam, and you. I'm so sorry to hear this. I also thought it might be poison to begin with, but it seems it's not. I really, really hope the vets can find the cause and a treatment for him. We all want him well and happy again. He is such a wonderful boy!

We're sending gentle kisses, and keeping all paws and fingers crossed for him.

Get well, Sam!

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

I'm so sorry to hear about little Sam! I sure hope he's feeling better and you've got a good uppydate for us.

Come on Sam, you can beat this....whatever it is! The good news is that he is at the vet's where they can monitor him closely.

Good luck and we'll be sending positive thoughts and prayers your way!

[furrykidsmother]

Hope that Sam is doing better today. Please let us know his progress. Good thoughts being sent to you.

[Jennie Lu]

I just got back from a long snuggly visit with Sam at the kitty hospital. Poor thing is having a hard time breathing today and had a bad episode this morning. Doc gave him heparin as she was afraid he was going to throw a blood clot this morning, and a dose of steroids to help the breathing. It was still pretty labored this afternoon, but better. His color was a little blue and he didn't feel like doing anything but lay there, but his subq fluid buildup was pretty much gone. He didn't even purr while I was loving him today...at least not until Doc walked in! I think I'm being replaced! Still getting serious antibiotics, and still not eating. A feeding tube will be put in today. More xrays tomorrow.

Doc said she did some research last night and believes this is heartworm based upon all the indicators he's had so far. The blood sample they sent out was plasma and not what they needed for the test so a correct sample is being sent today. They have never sent off a heartworm test for cats before as it is treated symptomatically. Bad news is there is no cure for heartworm in cats, but good news is that the course of treatment he's receiving now is the correct one and there should be gradual improvement. Doc stated that episodes like Sam's on Friday happens when the heartworm dies (and they do die) or a bloodclot is thrown because of the heartworm. Treatment would continue until the heartworms are dead. I never thought about heartworm in cats, especially indoor only cats, but apparently at least 90% of heartworm in cats occurs in indoor cats (still transmitted by mosquitos). Once he's out of the woods he'll start on heartworm prevention meds to kill off the worms.

I feel a little better having an idea what we're up against. The results for heartworm will be back tomorrow. I hate to say I'm hopeful that they'll be positive, but at least that way we'd know definitely what's wrong and how to best treat. My heart goes out to my poor little guy, though, as he's so tired from trying to breathe.

Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes. Sam and I and all his buddies at home are grateful and are praying hard for him as well. We all have our whiskers crossed for him.

Jennie Lu

[Barbara]

I also hope they at least find what it is with Sammy - so that it can be treated. All the best for both of you

[RedHedd]

Sammy continues to be in my prayers. It sounds like they are on the right track and that he will get better, albeit slowly. Gentle scritches and headbumpies coming your way from the M's.