11/17/2015, Karen & Junior

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Karen & Junior

Member Since 2015
Here we are, someplace new, we had another account from when Junior was first diagnosed with diabetes back in 2010, he went into remission 6 months ago, yeah!
Now we have a new problem...HCM, or Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
My questions have to do with the meds given to me for him...
Lasix, 12.5mg- 1/2 tab twice daily
Enalapril 2.5mg- 1 tab daily
Baby aspirin, 1/4 tab every 3 days

The vet gave me an article from Veterinary Partners, which told me medicine generally doesn't work on cats.
He is exhausted from his trip to the vet yesterday, and 2 enemas for the constipation, plus the butt washes.
They let me take him home last night, he is not eating much, just some I hand fed him, he is drinking plenty of water, and he is peeing, a little purr this morning, sleeping the rest of the time.
I love this little guy so much, but don't want him to go through any more than he has been through...
any thoughts?
any one heard of this?
I am still researching, it hasn't even been 24 hours yet...
Thanks for any and all help.
 
I am passing familiar with HCM only because Bengals seem to be particularly prone to it, and I have two Bengals. I'm going to see if I can find where I saved some information on it and will post it for you.
 
Hi Karen. I have looked everywhere and can't find the articles I saved, I know they are there, somewhere in a "safe" place so I'd be able to find them again when I wanted to (*fail*). But here is an article I found at Pet Med, hope this will help some:

http://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/cardiovascular/c_ct_cardiomyopathy_hypertrophic

I will continue to look for the info I have ferreted away!

I know it's hard right now, but take a deep breath and stay strong! :bighug:

Lucy
 
Okay, I did some research for you with one of my Bengal groups, Here's what I found:
1. Did your vet do a Echo Cardiogram?
2. Your best bet is to have a cardiologist perform a test for HCM, they can better advise you whether to treat or not, and what the best treatment would be. I don't know where you live, but they hold HCM clinic at various times around the country. I know there is one in Maryland in January, and I believe the cost is about $350.
3. There are a couple of HCM groups on Facebook, I don't know specifically what they're called but if you just search for HCM they'll probably come up.
4. You can also go to the www.bengalsillustrated website. They have published the latest and most current information by Dr. Kittleson in the latest issue Hot Topics.

I really hope some of this will be of help to you and Junior! Fingers and paws crossed for him, and sending many healing vines your way.

Lucy :bighug:
 
Hi Karen. Don't panic yet!! My Frankie has had HCM since he was 2 years old and he is now 8 (nearly 9). He has half a 25mg (I think that's the dose!!) Atenolol tablet once a day. He used to be on the Atenolol syrup, but once he was diagnosed diabetic, that had to change!! Frankie has to go for check ups (echocardiograms) every 2 years now as he is doing so well. This is at the RVC. There now is no heart murmur and every scan comes back normal as all the heart wall thickening and artery narrowing has disappeared. My normal vet has to be reminded whenever he has a diabetic check up that he actually has HCM!! Atenolol is a human medicine from what I remember, and is working very well, so don't give up hope!! I am in the UK, don't know whereabouts you are, so medicines might be different, but it is worth mentioning to your vet.
 
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Sue484 said:
Hi Karen. Don't panic yet!! My Frankie has had HCM since he was 2 years old and he is now 8 (nearly 9). He has half a 2.5mg (I think that's the dose!!) Atenolol tablet once a day. He used to be on the Atenolol syrup, but once he was diagnosed diabetic, that had to change!! Frankie has to go for check ups (echocardiograms) every 2 years now as he is doing so well. There now is no heart murmur and every scan comes back normal as all the heart wall thickening and artery narrowing has disappeared. My vet has to be reminded whenever he has a diabetic check up that he actually has HCM!! Atenolol is a human medicine from what I remember, and is working very well, so don't give up hope!! I am in the UK, don't know whereabouts you are, so medicines might be different, but it is worth mentioning to your vet.
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@Sue484, Sue, that's fantastic!!!:D I will try to remember this, as I have two Bengal kitties, whose breed is very prone to develop HCM.
 
Hi Karen, passing on to you a bit more info that I just received.

"Here's an article from Pawpeds: http://www.pawpeds.com/healthprogrammes/hcm.html
and here's an article from Winn
http://www.winnfelinefoundation.org/docs/default-source/cat-health-library-educational-art icles/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy-for-breeders.pdf?sfvrsn=2
If the cat has been diagnosed by a general vet, i would not fully believe the diagnosis until the cat is checked by a veterinary cardiologist. If it has already been diagnosed by one, it is not appropriate to take the cat to an HCM clinic, as those are screening clinics, not for treatment appointments.
You can find a cardiologist using the Cavalier King Charles spaniels' wonderful health site.
http://www.cavalierhealth.org/Cardiologists.htm"
 
Thank you all for responding...
He did have an echocardiogram done, and if he makes it, he will have another.
He has stopped eating, drinking very little, sleeping 23 hours a day...
I spoke with the vet yesterday, Thursday, and he let me know I was doing everything I possibly could to help him, but Junior's case is advanced/severe.
I cry everytime he comes out of his carrier, which is where he is spending all his time. He doesn't even really want a hug...no purrs, little pee, 2 to 3 oz of water every 12 hours.
We live in Northern New Hampshire, his vet is over an hour away, and I start a new job Monday...going in late due to his apt on Monday morning.
The vet says he is not in pain, but I am not sure of that.
He has gone down so fast, I don't want to prolong any pain he is having, and his quality of life right now is nothing.
Going back to research, accepting any and all healing vines and prayer vines.
thank you all so much for your input.
will respond Monday.

Karen & Junior
 
Squalliesmom said:
Hi Karen. I have looked everywhere and can't find the articles I saved, I know they are there, somewhere in a "safe" place so I'd be able to find them again when I wanted to (*fail*). But here is an article I found at Pet Med, hope this will help some:

http://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/cardiovascular/c_ct_cardiomyopathy_hypertrophic

I will continue to look for the info I have ferreted away!

I know it's hard right now, but take a deep breath and stay strong! :bighug:

Lucy
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Hi Lucy,
all the symptoms listed are what Junior has...or is experiencing.
Thank you for looking for me.
I am a basket case right now...
Tough decisions ahead.

Karen & Junior
 
Oh Karen, I am so sorry Junior has gone down so fast. You and Junior are both in my prayers for a happy outcome. I am also sending you lots of healing vines, and prayers for strength to cope with his illness and make any decisions you may need to make. Junior knows you love him and trusts you to make all the right choices for him. {{{hugs}}}

Lucy
 
Karen there is a yahoo support group for heart cats where we deal with all sorts of heart problems. It is specifically set up to address HCM but I am on the group and Squeaker has RCM (that is worse than HCM), please join as soon as possible. They really know their stuff and will be as helpful as FDMB members. https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/feline-heart/info

As for the appetite, there are appetite stimulants available. I use Mirtazipine, 1/4 of a 15 mg tablet and it does help.
 
:rb_icon:Junior is gone...
Thank you all for your research, good thoughts, and prayers.
Junior lost his battle on November 29,2015.
He was more severely sick than was originally thought.
He is now with his brother Sparky, playing and running around!
I love him, I miss him.
hugs and kisses to them both.

Love to all with sugar kitties, he was with me 5 1/2 years as a diabetic, and he taught me so much.
As did his brother, Sparky.

xoxoxo to my Boys.
 
Thank you so much Sharon, your kitty looks just like my boys, both orange & white kitties....
and we were able to find stones at the river that almost match the boys color....

and I miss them so much.
 
Karen, I am so sorry to hear of your terrible loss. I hope you will find some peace in knowing Junior is no longer in any distress, but is happy and care-free playing with his brother, Sparky. They will live on in your heart until you see them again some day. {{{HUGS}}}

Fly free, beloved Junior cat_wings>o
 
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