Thank you all so very much for your concern. My Samantha has idiopathic Feline Chylothorax, which means she has no heart problems, heartworms, or trauma to cause it. On her return trip to the vet for the chest x-ray she still has fluid in the lungs. She is now on a low/reduced fat diet and a nightly antibiotic pill to prevent any infection from developing. Also, she spends as much time as possible in open windows sniffing the fresh air, and every evening with us in the den. She still hops around, talks to us, and seems very happy to be with us.

Vet training on the subject states that this condition has a guarded to grave prognosis. Chylothorax usually shows up in middle-aged purebred -- especially Siamese cats. Samantha is a seven-year-old tortie shorthair. We accept that Samantha may not live much longer, but we will give her the happiest remaining time possible, watch her carefully for signs of distress to take immediate action, and do whatever is necessary to increase her chances that the condition will stabilize.

Again, thank you all for your prayers and good wishes.