Harry's Results

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

I've just had the results of Harry's blood test for his heart and it's not good. His proBNP level is 344 and anything over 270 is classed as serious heart disease. I'm sitting at my desk at work in tears as I don't know what to do. As far as I can see I've got three options:

1. Get a second opinion
2. Have him referred for tests to see how serious it is and decide on treatment
3. Leave him be.

Please don't flame me but I'm leaning towards option 3. He's 13 years old, has been through more sedations, tests and operations than I care to remember over the last two years and is absolutely find in himself. He's eating, drinking and playing, doesn't get out of breath and, if he hasn't got long, I want him to be happy in that time, not in and out of vets all the time.

£225,

We were told to expect £450-£500 when our previous vet was going to refer us. I presume it was cheaper as it wasn't a referral and was done in house. They aren't known for being the cheapest vet around so I was surprised. We actually moved away from them as they seemed to look for ways to get money out of us.

We thought we were going back to the vets yesterday! Harry was lying on the bed in a strange position, sort of stretched out but with his paws underneath him. I was stroking him but he didn’t purr and he pushed my hand away when I tried to give him chin rubs.

DH told to try to get him to move (I like the way I’m expected to take one for the team!) which I did. I got a very indignant look from Harry as he jumped down from the bed and stalked off to the living room as though he hadn’t just knocked another 10 years off my life!

He’s absolutely fine today. That cat will have me in an early grave!

You're going to be watching and assessing him on a constant basis from now on!

I was stroking him but he didn’t purr and he pushed my hand away when I tried to give him chin rubs

"What does a cat have to do to get some peace around here?", says Harry.

I'm exactly the same. I worry if Fatty doesn't try to escape when I try to catch her for her tablets. And I have been known to prod them to check they are still breathing. Snorg was snoring really loudly once, and suddenly just stopped and went silent. She was very unimpressed when I switched the light on and woke her up.

Tell Fatty and Snorg they aren't alone, Harry sympathises with them. He says he's often having a quiet snooze when he's suddenly prodded and woken up!

Finally he’s let me take a photo (ignore the strange leg arrangement)!

Harry Darling!

Hello gorgeous boy! Lots of cuddles and kisses from us!

And this is how he’s spent the afternoon...

He's a star. A cuddlesome one.

And an expensive one!

I've just looked at the Petplan website and his latest claim has gone in from the original vets - £615. Petplan are assessing the claim so I am back to praying to the gods of pet insurance that they pay out as it will wipe out our Harry savings!

Fingers crossed for you all.

Any news from Petplan?

Nothing yet, it’s still pending. I spoke to them a couple of days ago and the person I spoke to can’t see why it wouldn’t be paid but couldn’t tell me any more so I’ve followed up with an email. Still keeping everything crossed as I could do without forking out another £550!

Oh and here’s the cause of all this worry!

Sneak up behind him and shout 'VET'!

That's wicked but very funny!

Bless him. Is it the angle of the photo or does he have mahoosive feet!

I was thinking polydactyl!

And I'd never really do that to Harry :).

OMG - that's his portrait in the background, isn't it?

He does have large feet but he's not polydactyl. He's got short legs which make them look bigger.

I was wondering if anyone would notice his portrait! I had it done by a lovely lady in Canada (obviously from a picture, he didn't travel!) and he was on the front page of her website for a while!

:) he is gorgeous and so is the portrait.

Let's hope that he didn't slide bum first off the bed.

I wouldn't put that past him, he is rather accident prone!