Managing DCM diagnosis

[miastar]

Yes that's a really helpful way of thinking, that they don't know what the tests say.

Thank you for sharing the medication that Tobylove was on, and it's interesting to know that he also had the furosemide adjustment too and that it helped.

I've done exactly the same as you with the dry wipe board! It's on the fridge and I tick off every time he has his meds. I've also put the bottles and packets of meds into separate zip lock bags and written on them in pen what they are/how many he needs etc.

I am counting his breaths and have been using an app called Cardalis. He was very stable for a while but his breathing has increased a fair bit and we are having a tough day. He started coughing earlier and has had several coughing episodes since. I'm so sad that the furosemide increase isn't working as we'd hoped. It seemed to for a few days but then stopped.

I'm feeling sad tonight, so I particularly appreciate your kind support and words - thank you

 

[miastar]

@miastar , thank you for keeping us updated on sweet adorable Salem. love the photo. remember, they have no idea what reports say. glad they were able to get bloodwork done with butt scritches. I know the emotional rollercoaster, here for you. He only knows your and Buffy's love. I told my vet I am going to let him enjoy what he loves and live in the moment like they do. she does the same with hers.
I did the furesomide adjustment too for a few days and helped. sharing my boy was HCM, my vet had him on spironolactone and benazepril , furosemide, vetmedin which helped. I fed him several small wet meals before pill time. I learned to count respiration rate when he was sleeping and updated vet if it increased. do you count respiration rate? I set my watch timer for 15 seconds, then multiplied result by 4. you can ask if the spiron. and benaz. would be helpful for Salem. i have read it is used with cats with DCM

My boy had so many pills, I got a dry erase board from the dollar store and wrote down the meds. I used a sharpie on his med bottles and wote 1x day, 2x day etc. made it easier for me to keep track of. I have a bengal on 2 meds and an aussie on 4 meds.

I like your vet discussing long term management.
happy he is acting his usual self and engaging with his sis and in good spirit. He has the best mum .

lol love his stink eye photo! more snacks mum!!! hugs n head smooches to Salem and Buffy. all paws crossed for his follow up next week, let us know what meds they add. your lair family is here for you. stay strong team Salem!

Forgot to tag you in my reply

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Positive vibes are sent


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[Yoda mom]

@miastar , awh, hugs , I totally understand the ups and downs. my Tobylove breathing rate was always between 30-36 when diagnosed. furosemide and adjustments for 3 days when it went to 40. it did bring it down and started acting himself again. there were a few times I had to do increase in dosage per my vets instructions for 3 days when needed. it can effect kidneys so I had bloodwork recheck.
great job being so organized with medications. I would give my boy a kiss and tell him they are his strong boy pills.

you can ask your vet about torsemide, I know some in the sphynx hearts group mentioned it when their baby's got furosemide resistance. your vet will know what is best for Salem and his medical history. I didn't go down the rabbit hole of info, I followed my vets instructions, sharing lots of care and support like SL here at the Log into Facebook

I remind myself (have furbabies on pills now too) at the end of the day, I have done my best, and they only know love.

pm me anytime for an extra hug, ear to listen. all paws are family. hugs n head smooches to Salem n Buffy. following closely for updates.

 

[miastar]

@miastar , awh, hugs , I totally understand the ups and downs. my Tobylove breathing rate was always between 30-36 when diagnosed. furosemide and adjustments for 3 days when it went to 40. it did bring it down and started acting himself again. there were a few times I had to do increase in dosage per my vets instructions for 3 days when needed. it can effect kidneys so I had bloodwork recheck.
great job being so organized with medications. I would give my boy a kiss and tell him they are his strong boy pills.

you can ask your vet about torsemide, I know some in the sphynx hearts group mentioned it when their baby's got furosemide resistance. your vet will know what is best for Salem and his medical history. I didn't go down the rabbit hole of info, I followed my vets instructions, sharing lots of care and support like SL here at the Log into Facebook

I remind myself (have furbabies on pills now too) at the end of the day, I have done my best, and they only know love.

pm me anytime for an extra hug, ear to listen. all paws are family. hugs n head smooches to Salem n Buffy. following closely for updates.

Salem's breathing rate has been 26-32 since he's been on his medication, but it's jumped significantly and the extra furosemide did help for the first few days but then it seems to have stopped. I wonder if it is furosemide resistance so I'll see what the vet says about torsemide - thank you so much for the suggestion. It's also really useful to hear about your Tobyloves experiences and breathing rate etc as it helps me understand the condition a bit more (although I hope it isn't too painful for you to relive this).

I'm the same as you with not going down the rabbit hole of info, and instead following vets instructions. My vets have been brilliant which has helped. I did have a quick Google last night and saw that people/animals with heart disease can struggle even more in the heat, and it's been so hot here. And that foods with salt aren't great for furosemide so I need to find out what treats he can have because he's gone from having 0 treats (he was previously solely on Royal cabin early renal wet and dry) to having quite a few to help take his meds and I wonder if some of them aren't the best for him really.

In terms of how he is going, Salem did his usual wake me up at 3am for a snack! Then he slapped my partner awake (he bats his face with his paw!) at 7am wanting breakfast but he had to make do with his meds instead before getting some food later on. We've had cuddles this morning and his breathing is still quick but a bit less laboured I think. Buffy has been playing with a piece of plastic this morning too hope your kitties are doing well?

 

[Yoda mom]

@miastar , awh , I can just see Salem doing his silly 3 am antics and slaps for a treat and Buffy playing. always make my heart happy to see them enjoying their silliness and it's a good sign doing his usual.
for snacks, in my diabetic dog group, many of us use Purebites. Purebite cat treats are low sodium. (shrimp or chicken flavor) . You can ask your vet about Purebites or similiar recommendations for low sodium treats on your appointment next week. I have been known to call companies and ask for their "dry matter %" of sodium, fat , protein, phosphorus. . my vet said it is the dry matter % that matters most, it is not the same as the guaranteed analysis on bags/cans of food.

thank you for asking about my babies.
my furbaby Raven is 19 1/2 yrs old, showing signs of aging , still full of spunk chasing lizards, lounging by the pool, loving on the aussie dogs and enjoying her 2-3 x a day harness walks.

My aussies doing okay. Gunnar is 9, his senior panel blood work last month came back perfect. yah, told my vet I am going to frame the results as it is first time any of my crew had normal bloodwork.

Boo Aussie (Gunnar's dad) turns 12 soon. Powering thru with enlarged liver, high liver enzyms, oxalate urine crystals, and what I suspect now from previous experience degenerative myelopathy, for which there is no cure or medication.( been on the DM journey with 2 of my rotties, it sucks).
. He gets pills daily. He is starting to really get that ole dog look . I had ultrasounds , numerous tests done. powering thru. please send extra prayers for more good days. he is happy , smiley, likes to do aussie wiggle dances. doing my best at the end of the day.

ClaireBare turned 14 in february. active and persniky and so cuddly enjoying catch and zoomies. just finished her spa day wipe bosy down with trizulutra w/keto which I also use to wipe out clean ears. Batman spa day is next this morning. I can go a long time between full baths. being they are both 14 I try not to stress them out with water baths. they haaaate baths.

Batman is turning 15 beginning of Sept. He is a chatter box! loves to play like a kitten too like ClaireBare. they both snuggle with me at night . every moments a gift.

Macie Mae bengal is 14. She has no idea reports say IBD/lymphoma diagnosis and high blood pressure. She gets budeosonide for her gut and amlodipine for her high blood pressure. she loves the dogs, not so much the kittles. She talks alot , typical bengal. Although she is like pilling a badger every night., 2 seconds later she is wanting petting and food. She eats weruva press your lunch wet food , it is low sodium. I showed my vet the can. macie is also later stage CKD. she refused to eat the KD kidney food. so , feeding her the weruva. again, at the end of the day, I know I have done my best.

I know they are all seniors now. I take each moment a gift. they have taught me to live in the moment like they do, every moment filled with love. that's what matters most.

thank you for asking about my babies. And no, I do not mind sharing my journey with Tobylove HCM/CHF, he also had raised kidney values and a cancerous lump on the side of his face. He was truly a warrior. He was active and playful , took his meds like a champ. he had no idea what reports said. I share my journey with Tobylove in his honor to help and support others who have gotten the same gut punch diagnosis. all paws are family.
To be honest, this is the 4th journey of HCM/CHF for me. Years ago my bengal Kato and 3 sphynx Yoda, Yodaman , and Tobylove. I share my experiences in their honor to help others. never hesitate to ask questions. I am glad you are too not going down the rabbit hole and have great guidance from your vet. always important to have a good vet as part of the team on the journey.

hugs to you , bestest mum. head smooches to Salem and Buffy! following closely for updates.

 

[miastar]

I'm heartbroken to share that Salem has gone. He waited for us to get home and he told us it was time. I don't have words. Thank you so much everyone for your kindness.

 

[Yoda mom]

@miastar , oh my heart, teary eyed here.
my heart breaks for you sweet Salem gained his angel wings. devastating. here for you. please give Buffy extra love from me.
I share in the immeasurable hurt. I know there are no right words for the loss of your baby Salem, please know I am here for you with a big hug and ear to listen. PM me anytime.
Salem only knew your love, and that is everything. Remember the love , soo much love. holding you in my thoughts during your time of great loss. lighting a candle for Salem. rest in love sweet baby. You live in hearts forever and ever.

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Oh no. I am so sorry your baby gained their angel wings. I know how heart breaking it is. Keep the best memories closest to your heart.

 

[tontiangel]

I am so incredibly sorry and sending big hugs and tears
Please know we are here