Teeny Heart Issues in NYC

[jnina]

Hi all!

I'm a vet tech of 10 years - live in NJ work in NYC. We had a "breeder" getting rid of some cats and I couldn't say no when I saw the smallest one hyperventilating, I figured it was a heart thing. These guys were caged up in his photos. The cat has been in our care for less than 24 hours as of Nov. 2nd and came with no information other than supposedly being 2 years old.

I'm looking for someone experienced / monetary resources or a rescue willing to take her in. I have my own pets with chronic issues and can't afford a work up right now without sacrificing their emergency funds, but I can help with info on reduced care, including echo if you are local. I cannot administer medications long term and am traveling this week and next weekend before the holidays. I am also open to shelters who may have openings.

She is very sweet, purring and licked me pretty soon after meeting. She's only about 5lbs and doesn't seem to have GI issues even with sudden food switch. Her skin is quiet. She was kept with other cats. Though she is scared of my small cat friendly dog.

My email is [email protected]. Located near Jersey City.


FEE: I am asking $250 and giving 50-100 % back if an adopter makes a vet visit with proof.

 

[FeralFamiliar]

Hey! Just wanted to comment here that I sent you an email. No rush, happy to chat!

 

[Yoda mom]

@jnina , welcome to the lair family. bless you for taking her in . You are in the perfect place to find a forever home for this sweet girl. surely members will interview. I have all adoptees and always try to help hearts align, please keep us updated. hugs n head smooches to all paws

 

[psusocr]

Message sent

 

[psusocr]

Hi all!

I'm a vet tech of 10 years - live in NJ work in NYC. We had a "breeder" getting rid of some cats and I couldn't say no when I saw the smallest one hyperventilating, I figured it was a heart thing. These guys were caged up in his photos. The cat has been in our care for less than 24 hours as of Nov. 2nd and came with no information other than supposedly being 2 years old.

I'm looking for someone experienced / monetary resources or a rescue willing to take her in. I have my own pets with chronic issues and can't afford a work up right now without sacrificing their emergency funds, but I can help with info on reduced care, including echo if you are local. I cannot administer medications long term and am traveling this week and next weekend before the holidays. I am also open to shelters who may have openings.

She is very sweet, purring and licked me pretty soon after meeting. She's only about 5lbs and doesn't seem to have GI issues even with sudden food switch. Her skin is quiet. She was kept with other cats. Though she is scared of my small cat friendly dog.

My email is [email protected]. Located near Jersey City.


FEE: I am asking $250 and giving 50-100 % back if an adopter makes a vet visit with proof.

I messaged you

 

[jnina]

Hi all!

I'm a vet tech of 10 years - live in NJ work in NYC. We had a "breeder" getting rid of some cats and I couldn't say no when I saw the smallest one hyperventilating, I figured it was a heart thing. These guys were caged up in his photos. The cat has been in our care for less than 24 hours as of Nov. 2nd and came with no information other than supposedly being 2 years old.

I'm looking for someone experienced / monetary resources or a rescue willing to take her in. I have my own pets with chronic issues and can't afford a work up right now without sacrificing their emergency funds, but I can help with info on reduced care, including echo if you are local. I cannot administer medications long term and am traveling this week and next weekend before the holidays. I am also open to shelters who may have openings.

She is very sweet, purring and licked me pretty soon after meeting. She's only about 5lbs and doesn't seem to have GI issues even with sudden food switch. Her skin is quiet. She was kept with other cats. Though she is scared of my small cat friendly dog.

My email is [email protected]. Located near Jersey City.


FEE: I am asking $250 and giving 50-100 % back if an adopter makes a vet visit with proof.

I'm not sure how or if I can edit, but I wanted to clarify that when I mention she was hyperventilating, I mean that her breathing seemed abnormal. I had hopes that it was just panting due to stress, but I'm sure I knew deep down it wasn't. Her calmed respiratory rate is between 45-60. She isn't in severe acute failure, and I've seen worse cases bounce back, but please understand that she'll need a proper work up. This isn't just a scared panting kitten.

On the flip side, it's been 36 hours and her personality is blooming. She was already sweet and licking me when I met her... but she is even sweeter and more extroverted than I thought - and I've done a ton of fostering and rescue work. She wants to explore and get all the pets and butt pats. She is a purrr goblin. So affectionate. The attachment is creeping in hard! She's a once in awhile personality.

Please keep in mind that she needs an initial echo and possibly chronic medication. We see stable heart kitties everyday, they live happy lives, and we have patients bounce back from distressed acute failure much worse. But it's something to keep in mind.

I want to be clear that she's not a regular ole perfect health kitty.

 

[tuffysmommy]

I feel so sad I cant help. My vet and close friend’s take was this: It sounds like the kitten needs someone to take responsibility first, then a base line echo, then medication. Maybe a foster….unimportant to share the trauma here that makes it not possible for me to add to our family. Do keep us up to date. Prayers for the little one.

 

[Yoda mom]

@jnina , checking in for updates if forever home found for this sweet baby

 

[jnina]

Good Evening!

Update: she was adopted by the lovely user @ psusocr to join his boy who lost his companion recently. They were kind enough to pay for an echo before pick up that I was able to arrange through some connections so that everyone's in the know. She is indeed in congestive heart failure and went home with medications recommended by the cardiologist. If psusocr would like to add further details in another post outside of the adoption area, I'll leave it up to them.

She is a very active little lady. thanks to everyone for the support!

 

[tuffysmommy]

I’m so glad to hear this. You are a star for saving her and, psusocr, all the love to you as well for continuing her good fortune.

 

[Yoda mom]

@jnina , @psusocr, happy hugs n head smooches hearts aligned. I know she is loved and cared for beyond measure. we are here for you @psusocr. much love and positive vibes. she struck gold in your hearts and home.

 

[psusocr]

Hey all,

Just a little update — and a HUGE thank you to @jnina. This tiny girl is truly the happiest, cutest, most loving little Sphynx. It honestly blows my mind how fully she’s living her life, as if nothing is wrong. Her echocardiogram showed a really rough mix of heart conditions (disaster to say the least), and the current “outlook” is 6–18 months. That’s been really hard to process, because you’d never know anything was wrong just by watching her. I have this strong feeling — and endless hope — that she’s going to fight all the way. And until that time ever comes, she’s going to be loved beyond imagination and have the best life she could possibly dream of. She is my world, and VERY spoiled.

If anyone has experience with HCM or active congestive heart failure, I’m all ears. I’ve done a ton of research on what to expect, what to watch for, and all the early signs. I also downloaded an app to track her heart rate so I can see any changes over time. She’s on Plavix and Furosemide daily, and I’m giving her fish oil and DHA as well.

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Oh, thank you for sharing her with us! Lucky you, but luckier her to have you in her life. Having dealt with heart issues and CHF in one cat for 2 years (which is not the norm and we were blessed) checking breathing heart rate was always what our vet said. Things like coughing are obvious, but monitoring resting breathing rate a few times a day can help catch changes early on. On top of that, just love the heck out of them…they are truly a gift.

 

[Yoda mom]

@psusocr awh, she is darling and struck gold in your heart and home! what did you name her? all paws are family!

. kudos to you being proactive and having her echo and using the app to count breathing rates. sad to say, also experienced with HCM and CHF. Remember, our babies have no idea what reports say and only know our love. Mine have taught me to live in the moment like they do. I gave each of mine a head smooch and told them we got this and they did not come with a timestamp.

My most recent diagnosis Tobylove sphynx diagnosed at 11 yrs old advanced severe HCM , gallop heart rhythm and pleural and interstitial fluid on chest xray. You would never know on the outside except for the once or twice at night 2-3 coughs then got up ran to eat and came back to bed to cuddle and love, even walked on his cat wheel. played ate drank fine. I gave him his pills and tell him they are his strong boy pills and gave him a little piece of treat just before and after his pills. he was easy to pill. if you need any pilling tips, let us know.

** His meds: Clopidogrel, Spironolactone, Benazepril, Furosemide when diagnosed. Never missed a dose and set timers.

Months later his coughing and breathing began to creep up. His respirations were always around 28-36 when first diagnosed, creeped up to 40 while still acting totally fine, cuddly playful , cardiologist added Vetmedin to his pill routine.

I joined the HCM fb group for educational purpose .Cats with Blood Clots (saddle thrombus) FATE, HCM, CHF - heart cat support ** Sharing, * I stuck with conventional meds and consulting with my long time vet and cardiologist I personally did not do rapamycin as my vet said my boy was already clinical and late stage and she wanted to see more studies on it. I worried about drug interaction and cetain supplements mentioned in that group. I also did not do the nattokinase and Rutin shared in other groups I consulted with my vet about for my boys case. My vet did explain the chances of throwing a clot (saddle thrombosis embolism, sadly which I had experienced with my first many many years ago.

sharing for info not to alarm about clots bcz I never knew of until it happened. (my first girl Yoda, avatar photo survived several saddle thrombosis embolisms in over a year from age 11 mos to 2 yrs)
I monitored signs I looked for acting off, crouching slow walking, shaking back leg like she had litter stuck on it, licking lower extremities more than normal cleaning, *cooler to the touch rear limbs, sometimes a guttural meow, losing bowels,urine, sometimes no meow. As soon as I saw any of those changes it was off to the vet. I would rush to vet and by the time got in the car or prepared to leave, or got to the vet, she bounced back like nothing happened by the time I got to the vet. from then on , I always had a plan , crate ready, phone numbers to vet ER s,phone numbers and weekend local vet office hours, numbers in my phone in case of an emergency on a weekend. It gave me piece of mind to have a plan will on the journey of HCM/CHF.

Then I just loved on and enjoyed every moment. They truly live in the moment and only know our love.
keep vet updated if any changes and ask about if other medications added would be indicated for her.



Love on your baby girl, enjoy all the sphynx love and personality. keep to routine of pills,times. Keep us updated often, we are here for you! hugs n positive vibe head smooches.

,love the photos! Gorgeous!!! she settled in purrfectly ! we look forward to more pics!
what is her fav toy? silliest habit?

 

[tuffysmommy]

Psusocr, I dont know if this would be something that you might be interested in for her but this study exists and you may be able to get her access to more treatments than you might be able to afford otherwise.

https://www.hcmincats.com/hubfs/39586517/HALT%20Vet%20Overview.pdf

I was at the vet for investigation of cancer treatments today and she said there were really no up and coming breakthroughs like those for hcm. Enrollment needs careful prior thought but it could be an avenue for help. Enjoy your kitty. I’m so glad for you both that you got her.

 

[Toa and Ross]

Just wanted to say that I think you are a wonderful loving person by taking her in your heart and home even though you know she has HCM. Your love will make all her days count!

 

[kauna]

Aww congratulations on adopting her and even more so knowing she’s not well. I had my first sphynx with HCM and mild heart failure at the time of diagnosis and got 2&1/2 years with her. Like everyone else said monitoring breathing rate often and just enjoy her to pieces. She has no idea what is going on and only knows your love so give her plenty (which won’t be hard) She is precious.

 

[psusocr]

Thanks to everyone for sharing all this information this is all super helpful!

You are all awesome and VERY helpful. It’s gives me hope I can extend her lifespan and get every bit for her . Im excited to check out all the links and advice and will be doing deep dives on all of this to see what else I can do to help her .

BTW, I named her Salem . Fits her dark, gorgeous colors and personality.

 

[Yoda mom]

@psusocr , hugs n head smooches sweet team Salem!! we gotcha! she struck gold in your heart and home. so happy hearts aligned, she surely brings lovve and smiles

 

[Kalyan]

Amazing reading these posts!!