Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy & Congestive Heart Failure

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Member Since
02/21/2012

Purred: Tue Feb 21, '12 8:59am PST


	Hi, Last July I was diagnosed with a Grade 3 heart murmur and X-rays showed i had an enlarged heart. They recommended an echocardiogram but we held off bc I seemed fine. Around Christmas, my cough was getting more frequent, and when my mom came home on Sunday she heard that my breathing sounded really congested, my breathing was labored and my coughs were all to frequent. She rushed me to the hospital where i was diagonsed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy & Congestive Heart Failure. I was stabalized overnight and sent home with a prescription for Lasix, Enalaprin and baby Aspirin. My doc says i have a little less than a year life expectancy. I am only 3 1/2. Since i've been home, i've been exhausted from my vet visit, but am really happy to be home, and content to be with my family. Has anybody else had this happen and had a longer life than they've sentenced me to? My mommy is devastaed as her last kitty also died at 13 of congestive heart failure less than a year ago. Any advice or good news of some sort would be much appreciated.

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Tigger

Knead softly &- carry a big purr

Purred: Tue Feb 21, '12 12:21pm PST


	Tigger was diagnosed at 1 year old with a grade 2 murmur. I was stunned as he had no signs of being ill at all. He is on atenolol 2x a day, and gets an ultrasound every year. The murmur has dropped to almost negligible & no changes for worse in his heart. He will be celebrating his 4th birthday pretty soon. First thing - I know how scared you are right now - take a breath - & try not to look at the negative - easier said than done, I know. But first you need to make sure he is on a low salt diet, and is not overly stressed. An ultrasound will really tell you what condition things are. I know they are not cheap, but that it how you can monitor any changes. Have you had blood work done too? Tig has not had any fluid buildup, but if that can be controlled, there is no reason you should not do ok. Bumpurr should be on soon, he helped me alot & knows so much about HCM. Just remember you are not alone, and there are kitties that can help. Also look at the heart groups on here, there's alot of info. Take what you read with a grain of salt too, there is negative & positive info everywhere. Purrs to you - Tigger

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Bella

Mommys Kitty- Girl! I know- I\'m loved!

Purred: Tue Feb 21, '12 1:24pm PST


	I know it may not be possible, but if it is, try and get to a feline cardiolgist. My vet isn't, but is quick to refer when she needs help. She's also good with heart stuff and thyroid stuff. So many kitties have 'sometihng', hang in there. You'll hear from many here who have been told that they have impossible odds...and have gone on long past their 'expected' dates. lots of love and purrs to you, Bella

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Member Since
02/21/2012

Purred: Tue Feb 21, '12 1:48pm PST


	Thank you so much. Yes the cardiologist is who performed my echocardiogram and made my diagnosis and prognosis. Its just hard to accept seeing how even when i was in failure i was still so excited to see my family and was attempting to run around the apartment doing my normal business. And my appetite has not slowed one bit! Obviously my mom is just distraught and could use the support. We had a lazy day together, and I'm catching up on some much needed rest after being in the hospital. Thanks again. Will keep you posted.

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Phillipe

Will Love You- for Food

Purred: Tue Feb 21, '12 5:52pm PST


	Update: i had a really rough night tonight. I was coughing from about 6:30 - 8:30. I wasn't due for my Lasix until 8:30, but the vet suggested i take it earlier and a higher dosage. My breathing is stable but my coughing wont really let up. We have another call with the vet in an hour. My mom is scared, and I am very tired, but yet still want her to feed me treats!

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Alex (sweet- angel girl)

Angel on a- mission!

Purred: Tue Feb 21, '12 6:46pm PST


	This is so heartbreaking. We're here to give you support, we don't have much knowledge about this but we'll definitely give you support and hugs.

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Rossi Girl

spazzy kitten <3

Purred: Wed Feb 22, '12 5:53am PST


	I'm so sorry to hear that your little one had a rough night..how is he now? My Rossi was recently diagnosed with HCM, and it's quite scary and so heartbreaking, especially when they are having bad days..hugs!!

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Phillipe

Will Love You- for Food

Purred: Wed Feb 22, '12 8:07am PST


	Last night my mom and vet upped my Lasiks dosage to double of what i was supposed to get. I couldn't stop coughing! finally at about 9:30ish I stabalized and was able to get a little bit of sleep. After that, I ate and was able to get some rest, but I had coughing attacks about every hour through out the night. I wasn't due for my next dosage until about 8:30, but my coughs were so bad and frequent starting at 6a, that my mom gave me my first dosage at 6:15a. i was still bad an hour later, so i got another 1/2 pill. i still didn't quiet down so my mom called the ER again. My cardiologist thinks that its actually my asthma that is causing my to cough so bad and said to get a bronchial dialator from my other vet. My mom went and got that this morning. About 20 minutes later i was exhausted and retired to the bathroom for some much needed rest. My mom is beside herself. She doesn't want to see me suffer, but also wants to give me a chance to react to my meds. I really hope this bronchial dialator helps. I'm alone for a few hours this morning and will be monitored by my dad the rest of the day.

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Phillipe

Will Love You- for Food

Purred: Wed Feb 22, '12 3:25pm PST


	Ok, I dont want to get ahead of myself here, but since this morning, my parents have only seen two very small attacks. Could it be all this time i had asthma and my poor little heart condition aggravated it? I seem to be doing better now that I took the asthma medicine. Granted the night is still young, but my mom call the cardiologist this afternoon and she assured us that it takes a few days of being home before we get the right concoction of meds! I just hope I continue to have more ups than downs. Anyway, Thanks new friends, I really appreciate all your kind purrs and thoughts.