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