I received this note last night from Catsnclay (Bunny):

This has been a tough week, for all of us. We brought Lucky back to the Vets on Monday because of his breathing and after 4 different try's they were unable to get any fluid from his chest. From the x-rays that were taken there was more fluid build up. They didn't do anything more, and sent him home. I noticed on Thursday morning that he wasn't getting out of bed, he had to be coaxed to come to breakfast, and then didn't eat any. He then
slept in his box all day long. I still didn't like the way he was
breathing so back he went. They took another x-ray and there was even more of a fluid build-up. This time though they made me go back to the Emergency Animal Clinic. Apparently when they tapped his chest on Monday, they just went in "blindly". The clinic goes in with the help of a ultrasound, as to get the correct spot.

At the clinic I was told that they were going to put a chest tube in, he was tapped too many times to just do it again. Naturally there are problems that could arise. Since he was pretty stressed to begin with there was always the possibility that he could suffer from cardiac arrest while they were putting the tube in. His blood pressure and breathing rate were very high. Then again I was reminded that just because the fluid would be
drained, doesn't mean the problem was solved. I was told to consider other alternatives...............(putting him down). With this chest tube he would be in the EAC at least until Saturday.

We got a call from Dr. Barker around 8:00 pm on Thursday......the tube went in well, no problems. They gave him a sedative since he was still stressing. He was able to get through to both of the chest cavities and they drained a pint & a half of fluid from him! The first time one and 1/2 a cup was drained. They have him in a oxygen tent for the night, hooked up to I.V's and will drain him every 4 hours. Now the hard part. If they continue to draw a lot of fluid from him regularly, that is not a good sign. If they do not get a lot of fluid, that of course is better. Only time will tell right now, I will be going to see him tomorrow. I just hope he has a
good night and he will be getting better. He has a birthday coming up next week (April 1). I sure would love to have him home and healthy for his birthday.