Conference misery::feline

948.0. "New Info on Cardiomyopathy?" by SDTPMM::HAMPSON (Nurture Nature) Wed Nov 08 1995 10:29

    
    Hi ~
    
    My indoor cat, Domino (please see his intro note, along with my other cat 
    in 14.296), went into 'sudden' congestive heart failure a week and a half
    ago.  He's just two years old.
    
    I may seem calm now writing about it, but it's only because I still,
    THANKFULLY, have him with me.  The ordeal was a nightmare.  He has been
    diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and seems to be doing well
    on the meds so far.  He gets 1/2 a lasix and 1/4 an atelenol each day, 
    along with aspirin every three days.  The lasix is a diuretic, the
    atelenol to lower his blood pressure and the aspirin to thin the blood.
    I was told this condition can cause the animal to 'throw a clot' which
    could paralyze.
    
    He had an ultrasound at the Animal Ultrasound Clinic in Salem, MA and
    that's where the actual diagnosis came from.  Animal Emergency Care in
    Acton, MA are who helped save him initially (Dr. Munier was on duty).
    
    We have an appointment at Tufts Vet School/Hospital on November 30th
    with a board-certified cardiologist.  I wish the appointment wasn't so
    far away; I'm so afraid of losing him before we even get to see the
    specialist.
    
    I've read all the notes in this file I could find about cardiomyopathy,
    and the latest entry seems to be from March of '94.
    
    I thought I'd ask if anyone has heard anything new about treatment of
    this disease that would, hopefully, be promissing.
    
    Thanks from Domino aka Oski and I
    

            Hi I lost my cat Monroe to the same disease 4 yrs ago this saturday.
            If there was any good news it was that he lived so much longer
            when taking the Lasix medicine so I was able to spend precious
            time with and spoil him rotten. I know you will do the same
            thing for Domino.
    
            I wish you both well.
    
            Liz 
            
          
    
            
           
    

    I know I read quite a bit about cardiomyopathy somewhere, but
    I've been unable to locate it.  My recollection is that there
    is more than one kind, and the prognosis varies according to type.
    In at least some cases, medication works well.  Maybe your vet can
    tell you more about what to expect?  I have the idea that your
    kitty's having survived this initial stage may mean he has one
    of the manageable kinds...  I believe the ultrasound is to
    differentiate among the types of cardiomyopathy.
    

    p.s.  Can you call Tufts and ask if they will move the appointment up? 
    Perhaps they didn't know that time was important when the appointment
    was made.
     

    
    
    I told Tufts how concerned I was about how long away the appointment
    is and apparently they are just that busy in the Cardiology department.
    
    I'm going to keep calling in case there are any cancellations.  I'd 
    take him tonight if they'd let me.
    
    Liz - How long did you have your kitty after he was diagnosed?
    
    Thanks,
    Donna