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've checked with the vet and Harry will definitely be getting the liquid version.

The poor little chap still seems out of it so we've been told to keep an eye on him and take him in tomorrow if he's still no better. Apparently the anaesthetic can take up to 48 hours to get out of his system, although the vet is surprised as it was such a low dose.

Because he's not right we won't be starting his medication today, we'd rather wait until he's right and the vet agrees. He's on the meds for a month, but I've already told them he's not having another sedation for an x ray so we're going to see whether his cough goes and, if necessary he can have a general x ray with no sedation.

He's not going through this again.

I always remember my uncle - who worked with anaesthetists - mentioning how long it took in human systems for all anaesthetic effects to be really removed. I imagine that cats can be much the same.

I know, it's quite scary. Last time I had a general anaesthetic I still wasn't right 4 days later. DH thought he was going to have to cause an ambulance as I was so ill at one point.

The good news is that the meds can go in his food along with the Ipakitine. I've just got to hope it doesn't taste of anything as we don't want to put him off!

There is an entrepreneurial opportunity here for someone to invent cat meds that taste of tuna, ham, roast chicken and pork scratchings.

Yet you need to patent that but would there need to be options for each? Cats being fickle so one may prefer ham and another fish.
Pleased Harry can have his meds in his food.

Cats being fickle so one may prefer ham and another fish.

Or it may just depend on the which way the wind is blowing!

. You're right.

Maybe a mixed flavour pack of medication would be best!
Just got me thinking, can you still get those flavoured liquid antibiotics for kids?

Yes. But they've taken the sugar out of them and they taste vile. I used to love 'strawberry medicine' when I was little. Now it's a huge battle to get it down children. It's so bitter! (Peadiatric nurse)

I remember having pink strawberry medicine once and was jealous of people who had it more regularly!
Sorry for slight derail.....

He's had his first dose of medicine! I put it in his breakfast this morning and there's only a little bit of food left so that's a good start. I was a bit worried as it smells like cough medicine but it doesn't seem to have put him off.

Well done Harry!

Good lad.

Fatty says well done! She is proud of you!! (As am I, you gorgeous boy.

The vet suggested that we give it to him in a small amount of food but we decided to feed him as normal as, knowing him, he'd guess something was up and refuse to eat it!

Here's another picture for his fan club. It's from a couple of years ago, and can I make it clear we were having a new kitchen hence the state of the background!

He's a noble fellow.

He is, and he knows it!

I was very proud when I picked up his medicine last night and the nurse told me how good he’d been on Tuesday. Apparently he was the gold standard of cat behaviour. They had another cat in at the same time and that one was very vocal with a lot of bad language, obviously not something Harry would even contemplate...

He’s back in residence on the recliner (excuse the pasty white leg!)

Handsome Harry! I was always proud of our old girl who was so tolerant at the vets. The vet who took care of her in the last 18 months ish would love Harry and you for taking such good care of him.

They’re amazing aren’t they? We can’t explain what’s going on (although I do try!) and they are still so tolerant. We really can’t put him through sedation again though as I can’t bear to see him staggering about like that again.

After my last post he shoved me further over and relaxed completely!

That tummy.....
Ours tolerated so much but because she did meant we were able to help keep her in reasonable health for so long. Temperament certainly plays a big part in taking care of a chronically ill cat.

When I took Fatty to the vets for her jaw last year, the nurse was fussing her and mentioned Snorg. I commented that I was suprised she remembered her name. She replied that Snorg was famous at Ashfield House, because she has such a sweet personality and because she survived, when she wasn't expected too. I was bursting with pride!! And when the cardiologist said what lovely cats they both are. 😻😻😻😻😻😻😻😻😻😻

I agree that with chronic conditions temperament is very important, If Fatty was not so compliant with her tablets, she wouldn't be still here, I don't think.

It's not the tummy that gets me, gorgeous though it is. It's the way they fold their paws!!

I recall talking to Seniorboy's vet who had been commenting how well he was reacting and casting favourable thoughts about cats at their surgery.

I said, quite jovially, 'You can't have any Bengals, then? ' and she got this ..........faraway look in her eyes and said......thoughtfully 'Ah Yes. The Bengals.......'

I kept quiet from then on.

I went for an appointment one time and the receptionist had booked in the wrong cat but exactly the same cat name and surname as ours. The vet smiled and said the other is a Bengal.....