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.

I did but she’s left (he’s seen off quite a few vets). However, the nurses know him and his history and have said they will pamper him and I trust them. One of the nurses was with him when he had his dental and they discovered his broken jaw and the other one was looking after him during the night. I’ve made sure they will be there.

You're doing the right thing. And he's gorgeous. (Though obviously he's got gorgeouser since you took the picture!)
I'm no expert but don't they knock them right out (like a general) for teeth? They're talking about a very light sedation. So just making him dozy and compliant.
Well as compliant as any cat ever is!

Bear in mind, if they do something clinically inappropriate they can be sued for clinical negligence.

I'm a hcp, you steer well clear of anything that might get you sued.

Thank you. I know it needs to be done and I know they know what they are doing and I know he’s in safe hands with the nurses. I’m going to send him with one of his blankets, a catnip cushion, some food (he probably won’t like what they’ve got for him) and his own bowl as he’s quite fussy. The last vet referred to him as particular...

I’m sad aren’t I?

(Here’s the latest picture of him)

No. You're not sad. I wouldn't expect anything less for the lad.

No. You're not sad. You're a good cat slave!

Yay Harry photo! Please try not to worry yourself too much they will take care of him especially as he's so well known by them. Our old girl was so well known by everyone at our vets and I know they did go out of their way for her.

I would ask them if it's really necessary to sedate. Fatty also goes limp at the vets, and they don't sedate her for x rays. He'll be ok. Pictures pleashe.

Thank you again for all your support. DH is driving the cat ambulance (as we call it) on Tuesday so he’s going to remind them that Harry goes limp and ask them to try x raying him without sedation.

There may be a shortage of pictures for now - Harry is refusing to move from under dining room table which coincidentally is next to the biggest radiator in the house! In the meantime here’s one from a few years ago!

What a 'poser'.

When my DCat's cancer was diagnosed (on top of hyperthyroidism) the very said to me "just because we can treat it doesn't mean we should". We expected to get a maximum of 2 more months with him. We got 14, during which time he developed two additional health issues but lived well and happy right until he didn't. At which point we called a halt. I'm a big believer in not meddling too much; we couldn't with him because his existing medication was so finely balanced we couldn't chuck any more into the mix. I would say continue to love him and spoil him and let him know how beautiful he is and take each day at a time.

I don't know what is cuter. That face or those paws!!
Keeping everything crossed for Tuesday.

Thanks Wolfie, I know I’m biased but he is cute!

I’m sorry about cat Liz38. I agree with your vet. We’ve decided that if he can be treated without affecting his quality of life then we will, but if it treatment will make him miserable then we’ll make sure he can enjoy his life.

I'm not biased. He just is stunning!
I would always treat something that could be successfully treated without making my pet miserable. Old girl had very bad arthritis and thyroid issues. But on painkiller and thyroid meds she was fine. It has to be about quality of life though. If they can't do what makes them happy or are in pain that can't be relieved then it's not fair. It's hard when we just want them to go on forever. We have to do what's best for them. Not us.
Still miss old girl. She nearly made 20.

I think Harry is a gorgeous fella too and he sounds quite a character.

I’ve got a feeling giving Harry pills may make all three of us miserable but we’ll obviously give it a go if necessary. I think we threw out my Dad’s motorcycle gauntlets when we cleared Mum’s house!

He’s currently fast asleep on the bed snoring his head off, it’s like listening to a cow mooing. He coughed earlier when he woke up but he’d had a very vigorous washing session before going to sleep so I imagine he had a lung full of fur!

He is a character! The first summer he had him he got himself a reputation as a thief after stealing pond plants from the neighbours across the road. We had carpet in the bedroom at the time and of course that was where he dumped his ‘prey’. We didn’t have a clue where he was getting it from until the neighbour put a sign on their fence saying ‘will the fuckwit stealing our pond plants stop, we are watching you’! I was mortified that they had called my cat a fuckwit! DH got me to go over and return the plants as he thought they were less likely to hit me! Once I explained and they thought it was hilarious and he gets a card from ‘The Ponds’ every Christmas.

Stealing pond plants. I love it. He would get on well with our terrible torties that is for sure.
And DH sent you over?!?! Surely puss should have been sent to apologise in person?!

We refer to it as his weed habit!

DH and Harry watched from the bedroom window as I stood there hugging a bucket of pond plants hastily trying to explain and offering to pay for the damage he’d caused. Once they knew it was him they wouldn’t take any money, which I was quite pleased about as he’d nicked rather a lot and they were about a fiver each!

The stupid thing is he left the fish...

Another time DH had to repair a different neighbour’s fence as Harry had tried to climb it but had fallen backwards still attached to the trellis on top. We never admitted to that one as she was out at the time and there were no witnesses.

The embarrassing thing (for Harry) is that it was only a 5’ fence, including the trellis!

He couldn't climb a 5ft fence??

One of our tortie terrors broke into a neighbour's house and stole all the dreamies! Fish stealing requires getting wet. He's not daft!!

I'm remembering the exploits of the famous Cheekie.

Er no, he’s not good with heights. He did try to climb the 6’ fence the other side. He took a running leap, somehow got to about 5’ and fell backwards. I half expected there to be a cat shaped hole like in a Tom and Jerry cartoon!

Tell me you didn't laugh?! That way lies a whole heap of pain and suffering!!

I may have laughed a little bit. It might explain my scars...

Well tomorrow is the big day. I’m terrified what they are going to find but at least once we know we’ll be able to deal with it. Tomorrow’s x Ray is to find out whether his heart is enlarged and we can decide what happens next.