Fin is in the ICU with CHF and Edema

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tecwmn

tecwmn

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Fin has been regulated between 125 - 250 for a long time now. Recently he got an infection on the left side of his face that had to be drained. We did antibiotics (Clavamox and Buprenex for pain) and he was back to normal, or so I thought. About 10 days later his left eye started leaking and goobing and his eating and drinking diminished so I went back to the vet. The vet again drained a small amount from his face, gave him 150 ml of subcutaneous fluids and sent me home with more Buprenex and two weeks of Clavomox as well as a directive to give him 150 ml four times a day subcutaneous. The fluids sounded excessive to me so I only gave him 150 ml twice a day with 10 hour in between for absorbtion. He stopped eating and drinking, then his numbers shot up to 585 (got him back down to 124 that day) however, he didn't seem to be getting better and I was concerned about the not eating/drinking. My vet had advised me on Thursday that the next step was to take him to a specialist facility called Sage Centers in Campbell, CA. They wanted to put a feeding tube in him, and went to do an x-ray on him - she came back into the room and told me he was in heart failure and they needed to immediately get the fluids out of his lungs (they drained 140 ml). I asked her if I did something that caused this by giving him the subcutaneous fluid amount that I did and she said no. She then told me that he has about 8 - 9 months left to live.

They have stabalized him and he finally ate some food. My goal is to get him home and have him enjoy the remainder of his days.

Does anyone have experience with CHF that can give me some advice? What can I do to help him along the way? What should I look out for?

I am freaked out and really emotional right now. My friends and family keep saying stupid, insensitive things to me like 'it's the circle of life' 'you should just put him down' 'how could you waste that kind of money on a cat'...

We finally got a great rhythm with the diabetes about a year ago and that is why my numbers are not up to date. However, I still curve him and was curving him the last couple of days - I am just too tired to post the numbers.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Barbi, Fin, Sea, and MiAmor
 
Sending many cyber hugs for you (are you Barbi?) and Fin.
Merlyn had CHF/hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and kidney disease (OTJ) Did they ever look for a reason for the abscess on his face?? teeth?

So, there are 3 different types of fluid build up in CHF, fluid in the lungs is Pulmonary Edema, Fluid around the heart is Pleural effusion, and Ascites is fluid build up in the abdomen. If the fluid is in the lungs, they cant drain it so I am guessing it was pleural effusion. I do not know how helpful lasix or spironolactone would be. Depending on what kind of heart disease there may be other meds to help with his heart rate/functioning of the heart.

Did they do a Cardiac ultrasound? I think they have to do one to determine what kind of heart disease is present. Xrays are done to show fluid build up and general size of heart but they need to measure all the parts of the heart and the heart walls to determine whats going on. Fluid buildup doesnt show on ultrasound. I would go for the U/S because there are other meds that can be given that might help Fin.

When Merlyn got diagnosed, he had pulmonary edema so he was put on lasix, and when the fluid was gone the vet took him off but the fluid built up again ..so we did the tightrope of subQs for his kidneys, and lasix for his heart. It normally isnt good to give a heart kitty fluids so we did that carefully. I had just increased his subQs right before his diagnosis so I had asked that too, if the fluids contributed.

A vet tech who sometimes posts, Jess & Earl, she works for a veterinary cardiologist and was super helpful explaining stuff to me. I know she is a busy person and dont know how often she checks PMs but you might PM her.

Jess has said that some cats rally and come out of the crisis and do well on meds and live longer, and other cats dont do well after the initial crisis and dont recover. With meds and a very tight balance of subQ/lasix, I had 2.5 years post HCM/CHF diagnosis.
Some links:
http://www.2ndchance.info/cardiomyopathy-cat.htm cardiomyopathy
http://www.2ndchance.info/heart.htm

more detailed medical explanation, turn sound off computer, annoying music that cant be turned off on the maxhouse link
http://maxshouse.com/hypertrophic_cardiomyopathy.htm
http://www.web-dvm.net/congestiveheartfailure.html
 
I'm so sorry to read about Fin. I don't have any advice, just wanted to send along prayers and well wishes for you and Fin. (((HUGS)))
 
Thanks Lisa and Kathie.

They did do an ultrasound, but they want the cardiologist to look at it and they will see Fin tomorrow. The fluid build up was around (not in) his lungs - but was enough to make breathing difficult and also in the abdomen. When I talked to the doctor today on my visit with Fin he was focused on his enlarged liver and the infection that has now formed a pus pocket in his neck.

Fin seemed better when I visited with him today.

Lisa - The links are so helpful for information on this - very much appreciated!

I will update when I know more.

Barbi
 
Hi, I was wondering how Fin was doing. My cat, Kitty had CHF-- and it was discovered while I was administering sub q fluids also. She was on a regiment of meds and after the initial ICU stay to remove the fluid, she did pretty well. I will be glad to share more information with you regarding her treatment, but I was hoping to get more specifics on Fin first.

I hope Fin is doing better.

Kim
 
Barbi --

I haven't seen Jess around regularly. However, if you send her a PM, she will respond. She's a vet tech who has specialized in cardiology.
 
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