heart scan for 14 year cat, advice if possible

[Mexican cuties]

so literally its nearly 3 weeks since we suddenly lost our little dog Nali, then our 14 year old cat took a turn for the worse. In a nutshell, we have found out has heart and kidney issues, but on various meds for now. Been with this vet for years so trust them completely. They want to do a heart scan, with ultrasound, i assume that when this is done, we can see how bad the heart is and how long we may have her for? Our regular vet is off this week, but scan booked for next tuesday.

Think the outcome is going to be the same, but at least we know what symptons to look out for, god forbid if its that trip to the vets, unlike the pure panic when Nali went.

Any advice greatly appreciated

thank you

[gts.981]

Get a kitten or a puppy.....?

[CallThatMusic]

Good luck with the visit next week.
Hopefully meds - if required - will stabilise the position and prolong life....

[garythesign]

I have no advice to offer, but hope one of the professionals will be along soon.

Despite them getting an unwarranted (in my opinion) criticism regarding the price of meds, our two main vets seem to have an abundance of compassion.

I wish you luck next week.

[Mexican cuties]

thank you, at least we will an idea of how bad, poss how long, we may have her, want this lovely lady to go peacefully, unlike our last traumatic experience. fingers crossed all the meds will stabilize her for a bit

[jmsgld]

I'm afraid that there are too many variables to give meaningful answers to your questions.

You will know a lot more after the scan and some blood pressure measurements. Prognosis is likely to be weeks to low years ie hugely variable. Cats are incredible at compensating and it never ceases to amaze me how well they manage to cope, seemingly quite happily, with some truly dreadful parameters.

She will likely be on 2-4 different tablets, and should feel better for a while but will likely gradually deteriorate. Best of luck.

[Pit Pony]

I have a rule with Pets. First sign of trouble look.the Vet in the eye, and say "I really don't want .......insert name of beloved family pet.... to suffer. So I think you should put it down.. if they don't imediately tell you that's ridiculous, you know that they are intending to fleece you out of a small fortune, over the next 6 to 12 months, whilst they um.and ah.
Once they realise that you are treating the pet in the same way as a used car that's just failed the mot, they start being more honest about the long term prognosis.

Sounds callous? Well yes. But bitter experience.
My wife thinks I'm aspergers, but we got all our cats from the rescue, and to me it's a simple financial equation.

[jules_s]

We had the same in November - he (14ish) started panting badly after a minor skirmish with his brother

He had three days at the vets with various meds after a diagnosis of fluid around the heart

He's now fine but on various meds for fluid retention/heart/kidneys and blood clotting.

As above - could be months/years but better than the other option

[Mexican cuties]

thanks you all so much, and you jules, literally lost our 12 year old dog, 3 weeks today, after being sent home from emergency vets at 4am, with the all clear, reason we took him in as he wouldnt settle and his breathing was so different, fast forward 12 hours and he went.

At least we know what to look for, shes 14, currently on thyroid liquid, potassium drops and liquid to help heart and kidneys, vets all ready done bloods, we wouldn't drag this out unnecessarily, we dont want her and us to go through the trauma of 3 weeks ago.

currently throwing some new cat nip toys around that just arrived, so what ever we have with her will be precious

[irc]

Our cat needed a scan aged 14 for heart issues. Our vet , if I remember correctly told me there was two likely causes which needed different treatment and a scan was needed to confirm which.

After the scan he lived another two years. Not active, slept a lot, but not in any discomfort. He went downhill rapidly over a couple of days this year and was put to sleep.

So see what your vet says. I'm not one for keeping pets going at all costs but our cat had a couple of good quiet years of quality life after his scan. Hope your cat's prognosis is as good or better.

[Mexican cuties]

thank you thats what we are hoping for, depending on scan result, ultrasound we believe, then as long as heart not gonna last next few days, then time to call it, but same, at moment sleeping, eating, and loving the cat nip fishies.

hopefully peaceful until the scan next tuesday morning with the vet we have used for over 10 years doing it for her, just wish we had the option and knowledge/hindsight that this was exactly what nali was going through.

god they leave a massive hole for such a little dog and this lovely lady - this is her sitting where they both used to sit looking out the window with one of his squeaky toys.

thank you all once again

[moorx]

Will be thinking of you both.