2/7 Sid has worrisome heavy breathing

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Lydia & Sid & Jake(GA)

Lydia & Sid & Jake(GA)

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Sid's breathing is markedly heavier. He was at the vet yesterday and they checked him and attributed it to the pneumonia. Then the holistic vet checked him and asked about any cancer in his lungs (2 xrays have not revealed cancer, just pneumonia). I don't know if the heavy breathing is from pneumonia, anemia, or ketones. His level on the meter was a bit elevated today 3.1 but it was negative on the urine strip. He was still eating well but he did vomit a little more today than he has in awhile. He walks around and is alert. The breathing is very worrisome though.


condo http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=65572
 
Lydia, I'm sorry to hear about Sid's breathing and hope that he will be better tomorrow. Continuing to send prayers and healing vines for your boy.

Many hugs,

Ella & Rusty
 
did your vet tell you to count respirations? Mine is having me do that for Sammy. She said they should normally be under 30 per minute at rest and to call if they were consistently more than that or if the rate increased by more than 25% over two days. She said if he is visibly in distress, go to the closest vet and have him put in the oxygen cage. This advice was based on Sammy's heart condition, but sounds like good general advice.

I hope Sid feels better soon.
 
Poor baby Sid. Have you been able to get a number of breaths per minute yet? I was reading that normal feline respiratory rates are 16 - 40 breaths per minute. Normal range for feline heart rate: 120-140 beats per minute. It also said that 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. I know you've been wondering if he could have an issue with hyperthyroidism. I'm glad to hear that he's still eating well. You're doing such a great job, Lydia. You need to know that!

Sending extra angels to help Sid with his breathing :YMHUG:
 
Sending the strongest feel better and get better vines to Sid. Be gone pneumonia.
Come on Sid, you're a fighter. Get better, please.
 
Every time I count his breaths, he is at 60 or more. Neither vet that saw him felt he was critical enough to need oxygen though.
In fact the one vet said he was not breathing as heavy as some cats with pneumonia he has seen.
Im just worried it is ketones so let's hope that is not it.
 
Oh...adding our prayers and healing vines for Sweet Siddie...

hang in there, Little Guy-

we're all pulling for you!

celi & binks
 
Prayers on the way for sweet Sid. I hope the evil ketones leave him alone. He's got enough to deal with. Hugs to you and Sid.
 
Lydia --

Remember that blood ketones will register before urinary ketones. Keep an eye on the numbers. I'm also concerned given Libby's note.
 
I was told both with Maverick after surgery and my dog Nike with congestive heart failure causing fluid in the lungs that anything above 40 needed oxygen or a trip to the ER. I don't know if they can tell pneumonia from fluid in the lungs. I always wondered that with Nike but I guess they must be able to tell. I think he needs oxygen. Are his gums pink or blue? Tongue?

(((((((((Sending you and Sid big hugs))))))))))
 
Lydia, I'm just seeing this.....please feel better, Sid! I agree with those who are concerned about the breathing, you might want to talk to the vet again about it. Is he still getting lasix? I don't see any note on the SS since 3/4 about it. I wonder if he has some fluid again, he may need a vet visit to assess that.

When you get a chance, can you update the SS? I see you have had to go to BID some days, and have been using some R...I know you are worried about the ketones! Please keep us updated...

You are so on top of his issues, Lydia....he is very lucky to have you! You know him best, if your gut tells you that he needs to see the vet, I would take him in.
 
Sid has consistently been over 60/min. He was seen by 2 vets the day before yesterday and both listened to his lungs very closely and neither said he was critical. In fact the one vet said his sides are not heaving in/out like many cats in respiratory distress. The breathing rate today is the same as it was when I took him to the vet. He is not open mouth breathing or blue or acting in any distress. .

The xray last week showed that he still has fluid on his lungs but it is clear not cloudy like it was at the dx. (Sorry if I confused everyone before when I said his lungs were clearer - I meant the fluid was clearer not that his lungs were clear of fluid).

No he has not had any lasix for a couple of days. The vet who prescribed it was hesitant about it because of Sid's kidney issues but told me to use it if his breathing is over 40. However the holistic vet told me to not use it because of the potential for dehydration which it can cause. I have been giving him fluids along with the lasix. I guess I am just worried that with the potential for ketones he needs even more fluids and I didn't want to give him anything that could cause further dehydration. His numbers on the ketone meter increased yesterday to 3.1 and that is the highest he has been.

Yes, I'm going to continue giving him a drop of R along with the Prozinc if he is over 400 when it is shot time. I do not have his numbers here at work so I can't update the SS, but I can tell you from memory that

3:00 am he was 496 on the Nova so I gave him a little over a drop of R along with 1.6U of Prozinc.
12:00 pm +9 148 (Nova) 155 (Relion) so I did not give any insulin

I tested him every hour inbetween the AMPS and +9 when I left for work but I do not have the numbers here. When I left for work he was around 230 at +4.5 (I think).

I've been following the Tara/Sasha thread a bit but don't want to post this question on there because I don't want to confuse the issue. When Sid had massive ketones, he was not hungry at all and hid and acted very sick and lethargic. I'm curious about why Sasha has such a good appetite with that much ketones??? Anyone know?
 
It's fine if you can't update the SS from work, Lydia...I totally understand! Whenever you can do it is fine. I'm just wondering if maybe dropping the PZ dose a tiny bit might enable you to shoot TID, but I always want to see the most current data.

I don't know what to tell you about the lasix....I just wondered if fluid buildup could be part of the breathing problem. I know it's hard to balance everything, Lydia. :YMHUG: No criticism here, just trying to give you my thoughts, and of course, support. You know Sid the best.

ETA: I have no idea on the ketone/appetite question...ECID?
 
The cats that I've followed with DKA all had poor appetite and two needed feeding tubes. I think Sasha is an exception to the rule. I was very surprised to see she was still eating. I only skimmed the thread though to see if she was getting food in.

You have to treat the most critical issue - fluid in the lungs - lasix for a day or two could really clear that out. I am not an expert on this. You could try spirinolactone which is easier on the kidneys I think - its a potassium sparing diuretic. But it doesn't work as well as lasix. There are dogs in congestive heart failure on the group that have concurrent kidney disease and it is a balance with subq's and lasix. But it is done.

Sending more big hugs.
 
We're thinking of you and Sid, Lydia, and sending our biggest and strongest healing wishes for Sid. Come on, baby boy, pull through this!
 
Sending more healing white light and snowflakes to Sid.
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Know that we're thinking about you and Sid, Lydia.
 
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