Is it time for my boy? Any vets with advice?

[LoisEinhorn]

My boy is 16. Has recently been diagnosed with an enlarged heart ( he was breathing very fast and an xray showed his large heart and fluid on his lungs, not around them)
He was put on Furosemide 20mg, 0.25 twice a day.
The past few days he is making a lot of effort to breath. Just sits on his front and doesn't do much.
Is not eating very much so really isn't having much of a life

How likely is it that more medicine will help? Or is it time?
Thanks :(

[chockbic]

Can you put him on a higher dose or change drug?

What has your vet advised?

[LoisEinhorn]

Nothing yet, am going to take him tomorrow. I just wondered if any vets were around who could give me an idea of what to expect. Kids to prepare (and us).

[cozietoesie]

Well I'm no vet but - he's 16, with a dodgy heart and lungs and currently in some difficulty? It doesn't look great, Lois. How old are the DCs?

[timtam23]

Your poor old boy. I'm not a vet & I don't know what the maximum dose of furosemide is for cats, but the vet may be able to increase it to reduce some of the fluid on his lungs. Or it may not be possible to do this in which case obviously the outlook is worse. He is getting on in years and I would be guided by the vet with regards to his quality of life and how much treatment to try. Do the DCs understand that the cat is not well?