Tragedy at the Layne household... VIDEO ADDED POST 177!

[orangemm]

Katie, I'm glad things look better for Andy; we'll keep praying for him, and by all means get the extra tests/Xrays done. Don't worry, we will all pitch in for you. I would rather you have peace of mind than to have to worry about Andy any more than you have. You have to be a wreck and stress isn't good for you.

To pat1066...I can't imagine the grief and horror you went through. I never told anyone else about Archy, either, and I still feel guilty to this day. Just remember he is in a better place now, happily playing at the Bridge. My heart goes out to you, too................

[Catty1]

Katie, here are some stats I came across on Google - I went to more than one site - and it shows a normal range of heartbeat and temp for a cat to give you an idea of where Andy is at.

http://www.petplace.com/cats/what-is...ats/page1.aspx

Body Temperature

Body temperature in animals is taken rectally. The normal body temperature for a cat is 100 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. If your pet has a temperature less than 99 or over 104, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Heart Rate

The heartbeat can be felt on the left side of the chest at the area where a raised elbow will touch the chest. Your pet should be calm and quiet. Place your hand over this area of the chest and feel for a heartbeat. You can also use a stethoscope if you have one. Count the number of heartbeats for 15 seconds and multiply that number by 4.

If you cannot determine your pet's heartbeat, you can try to determine the pulse rate. The easiest pulse to feel is the pulse associated with the femoral artery. This artery is best felt inside the back leg in the groin area. Place your first two fingers up high on the inside of your pet's thigh. Slowly feel the area until you can detect a pulse. This method may take some practice and you may want to ask your veterinarian for guidance during a routine exam.

Cats typically have heart rates between 160 to 220 beats per minute. If your pet has a heart rate outside the normal range, contact your veterinarian immediately.

http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/dise...P_catfacts.htm

3. Heart Rate
120-140 beats per minute

When stressed, heart rates will increase. This will normalize as the cat calms down in healthy animals. Cats that suffer from heart conditions (cardiomyopathy) or diseases such as hyperthyroidism will have increased heart rates -- over 200 beats per minute in some cases.

(This rate seems low to me, but oh well!)

And here is a link where the rates are disputed. Just average it out, and your vet is the best expert as he knows Andy!



http://cats.about.com/b/2004/10/07/t...about-cats.htm

Comments

November 4, 2007 at 5:40 pm
(1) Mark says:

http://www.missionmedvet.com/faqs/ir...heart_beat.htm
says that the normal cat heartbeat is 160-240, not 110-140 as you say.
November 5, 2007 at 10:05 am
(2) Franny Syufy says:

Thanks for your input, Mark. I guess it depends on the expert of your choice. Drs. Foster & Smith say 110-140. Saundra Sample, D.V.M. says 140-160. Dr. Mike Richards says the normal pulse rate is 110-130, with a MAXIMUM heart rate of 240. So you can see, even the experts disagree.

BTW Katie - if you need to skip a day or two of school when Andy gets home, just email this pic to your instructors: