4/6 Darcy Cardiac Ultrasound Results. A weird day. PMPS 122

Suzanne & Darcy

Suzanne & Darcy

Member Since 2020
AMPS started out not too bad.... but he really doesn't have his normal appetite today. It started tapering of gradually the last few days. Usually, I have to make sure that he doesn't eat his own and everybody else's food. Today, I've been coaxing him to eat. He just had bloodwork done last Friday and everything was good. Why do they always do this to us?

He has had diarrhea since last Friday night. He didn't eat much of the food with the slippery elm bark in it, so I'll probably have to put it in a gelcap after all.

yesterday's post:
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/thr...140-8-5-286-350-pmps-360.245754/#post-2773651
 
He still isn't eating much, but he is nibbling. I gave mid-cycle R since he'd only come down to 247. I wish I could figure out this cat!
 
I will finally get around to updating on the Cardiac Ultrasound results from Friday. I have a report here with all kinds of measurements on it, but the bottom line is this:

"There is some left atrial enlargement. I felt one of mitral valve leaflets was thickened but not clubby. Ventricular function appears normal and no arrhythmia was noted during the exam. Left atrial enlargement bears watching. Overall heart size of all chambers is larger than average cat."
 
I'm sorry to hear about the heart issues on top of the acro and diabetes. Certainly want to see him get his appetite back. I hope he is okay, Suzanne. So much for you and poor Darcy to deal with.
 
Overall not too bad of a cardiac ultrasound for an acro cat. Heart is slightly enlarged overall, yes. Darcy has always been a large cat as well (we have no pre-acro diagnosis cardiac ultrasound to compare this with.) The left atrium enlargement is something to watch... this is all the more reason why I need to get him the SRT ASAP. He could end up with HCM. I don't think things are going to get better without the SRT. Shouldn't radiating the pituitary tumor turn off the growth hormones and keep things from continuing to enlarge? I can't say I'm not worried. If I could get him into have his SRT tomorrow, I would... but maybe I'm placing too much hope in that treatment?
 
Suzanne & Darcy said:
Overall not too bad of a cardiac ultrasound for an acro cat. Heart is slightly enlarged overall, yes. Darcy has always been a large cat as well (we have no pre-acro diagnosis cardiac ultrasound to compare this with.) The left atrium enlargement is something to watch... this is all the more reason why I need to get him the SRT ASAP. He could end up with HCM. I don't think things are going to get better without the SRT. Shouldn't radiating the pituitary tumor turn off the growth hormones and keep things from continuing to enlarge? I can't say I'm not worried. If I could get him into have his SRT tomorrow, I would... but maybe I'm placing too much hope in that treatment?
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Your instincts sound right. I do not know much about acro kitties but I do know it causes enlarged organs. Go with your gut, Suzanne. I don't think there is anything else you can do for an acro cat but the radiation - is there?
 
Summer and Susie said:
Your instincts sound right. I do not know much about acro kitties but I do know it causes enlarged organs. Go with your gut, Suzanne. I don't think there is anything else you can do for an acro cat but the radiation - is there?
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Surgery to remove the pituitary gland, but that is a big NO WAY for me. Too many variables and problems (even though there are people on this board who have had it done with no regrets, there are others who had "not so great" outcomes... or maybe it was just one person on this board?)
 
Suzanne & Darcy said:
Liz, you're here. May I ask about Minnie... have you done a post. I've been checking all day... just ignore me if you don't want to write anything now. I just want you to know that I have not forgotten Minnie and you (as I believe many people on this board have not) and we've been thinking about you both. I have been praying for Minnie.
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Thank you! Just posted (not sure of the etiquette of this, but here is the link https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/4-6-minnie-update.245821/

Thank you all so much for the well wishes and prayers, she is doing better and maybe coming home tomorrow.
 
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Well... now he's dropped to 123 and I am afraid to leave the house... and I'm already late to pick up my son who is just standing around waiting for me :-( He ate a little more Tiny Tiger and I'll re-test him soon. Normally, I would just take him with me in the car... but he has this bad diarrhea and I'm worried he will have to go in the carrier!
 
Suzanne & Darcy said:
Liz, you're here. May I ask about Minnie... have you done a post. I've been checking all day... just ignore me if you don't want to write anything now. I just want you to know that I have not forgotten Minnie and you (as I believe many people on this board have not) and we've been thinking about you both. I have been praying for Minnie.
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I'm with you on trying to get an update on Minnie. I can't stop thinking about her and Buddy,
 
He's at 120. So not a drop from 123. I'm leaving my daughter, Angelica, in charge. She knows how to test. She knows how to give FF Gravy lovers, she knows how to do Karo syrup. I left my post up and told her to post here if she needed help. She can call me on the phone too... I think he's flattening out now for the end of his cycle. Got to go pick up meds from the vet now (and my son first!)
 
Suzanne & Darcy said:
Well... now he's dropped to 123 and I am afraid to leave the house... and I'm already late to pick up my son who is just standing around waiting for me :-( He ate a little more Tiny Tiger and I'll re-test him soon. Normally, I would just take him with me in the car... but he has this bad diarrhea and I'm worried he will have to go in the carrier!
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He is not too low. Go get your son and come back immediately. 120 is not a bad number but because this is an unusual number for Darcy I would not be gone long. You might see a bounce tomorrow but aren't the blues beautiful?
 
Suzanne & Darcy said:
He's at 120. So not a drop from 123. I'm leaving my daughter, Angelica, in charge. She knows how to test. She knows how to give FF Gravy lovers, she knows how to do Karo syrup. I left my post up and told her to post here if she needed help. She can call me on the phone too... I think he's flattening out now for the end of his cycle. Got to go pick up meds from the vet now (and my son first!)
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Mr Darcy is doing the same thing that Madam Minnie does. Gets you frustrated with long term pinks but at least you're used to that, then WHAM gets you all anxious about the dropping blues...which only a few days before is what you were wishing for. Feline diabetes sure is a roller coaster. Sounds like you have it all in hand... by the way, can your daughter tell me how to do Karo syrup? Poor little Minnie still has crusty clumps of fur under her mouth when I was trying to get it to her gums and it's like super glue.

Will be checking in on the boy, now I have a bit of calm before my girl comes back and takes all the attention again. Getting lots of laundry done!
 
Summer and Susie said:
You are so fortunate that you have your daughter and son to help cover Darcy's treatment. Hope he will flatten out tonight with those beautiful blues.
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Yes. These kids are so great with cats. And Angelica has watched me test Darcy soooo many times that she just knows how to do it. It's not surprising though since they grew up with cats (and foster cats, and feral cats, etc.) But it is nice to have help... my husband hasn't had to learn yet... but he's very good at taking care of the foster kittens and has been so great to have around to help care for this little sick kitten that we just rescues (who is getting much better now).
 
Liz & Minnie said:
Mr Darcy is doing the same thing that Madam Minnie does. Gets you frustrated with long term pinks but at least you're used to that, then WHAM gets you all anxious about the dropping blues...which only a few days before is what you were wishing for. Feline diabetes sure is a roller coaster. Sounds like you have it all in hand... by the way, can your daughter tell me how to do Karo syrup? Poor little Minnie still has crusty clumps of fur under her mouth when I was trying to get it to her gums and it's like super glue.

Will be checking in on the boy, now I have a bit of calm before my girl comes back and takes all the attention again. Getting lots of laundry done!
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Poor Minnie! She's going to need a beauty treatment. We might want to go have a facial... or a manicure and pedicure... or some people get their brows waxed and tinted... what do cats do? What would they like? A massage perhaps? I think that is what you need, Liz!
 
Suzanne & Darcy said:
Shouldn't radiating the pituitary tumor turn off the growth hormones and keep things from continuing to enlarge?
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Radiating the pituitary tumour neuters the tumour cells, slowing it down as they die. It can take time, up to two years. Neko had her first echo about half a year after SRT. She had barely enlarged left side, but was also Maine Coon cross. It took three years before the heart got worse, and I think it was the fluids that tipped it over. Sounds like Darcy's in pretty good shape heart wise at this point. I've seen far too many people get surprised when too late and no testing on the heart. :(

Lovely stretch of blues today!:cool:
 
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