Friday, May 6, 2016

Milita's (Possible) Broken Heart

Hi everyone, it's the Mom today.

Our beautiful graphic was made by Ann of Zoolatry.

Milita had a couple of asthma attacks in the past week or so, so I took her to the vet yesterday to get her checked out and make medication adjustments.

Due to her history of pneumonia, Dr. M and I agreed that they should take chest x-rays.  They gave Milita a little kitty Valium, as x-rays are very stressful on her.

Dr. M came out to talk with me after they took the x-rays.  She said that Lita's lungs looked very patchy, and while she thought it looked like asthma, she wanted to send them to the radiologist for an opinion.

She also told me that Milita had a lot of sugar in her urine.  She gave me some special litter to get a urine sample at home in the next few days.  She said that sometimes a cat's sugar will spike when they are very stressed out, and she didn't want to diagnose diabetes based on a sample taken in the clinic.  So I will try to get a sample from her early next week.  I do believe that the sugar spike was stress related as Lita tends to get very stressed out when going to the vet.  Dr. M told me that it is going to be complicated to treat Lita's asthma if she has diabetes because steroids and insulin cancel each other out.  So let's all hope that she does not have diabetes.




I spoke with Dr. M this morning regarding Lita's radiology report and got a huge shock.  Dr. M said that the radiologist believes Lita has fluid in her lungs and that 99% of the time when a cat has fluid in the lungs, it indicates heart disease.  I was completely unprepared for this news.

Milita is going to have a heart ultrasound and see a cardiologist on Wednesday.  In the meantime, Dr. M is prescribing her a diuretic to reduce the fluid in her lungs.  I will be setting up some sort of fundraiser this weekend to help cover the cost.  Dr. M said that the heart ultrasound and consult will likely cost about $500-600!

I have been crying all morning.  I just cannot believe this is all happening.  Now I wonder if Milita's coughing has been a symptom of heart disease and not asthma?  I feel horrible that I didn't know she was this sick.  Other than her coughing and allowing Carmine to lay near her, she's been acting like her normal self.

Dr. M told me that if Lita has heart disease, it will also complicate her asthma treatment because steroids can increase the fluid in the lungs.

I am very scared for my baby.  Up until the past year or so, she was always the healthy one.  I just can't believe this.

40 comments:

  1. I hope so much that Milita gets well and that she has something that can be treated. A beautiful, beautiful kitty.

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  2. Purring and praying for good news on Milita's condition.
    xxoo
    Maggie, Mickey Mouser and Rufus the Red

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  3. We don't know what to say. We're so sorry to read this news, but we're sending all our purrs and purrayers to Milita and to you, that it's not as dire as you are afraid it is, that she can be treated easily and continue to have a wonderful life with you. Hugs and universal Light to you both.

    Nicki, Derry and Kim

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  4. Sorry Melita is going through this. It's hard on you too. We sure hope she will be okay!

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  5. lita.....we all R troo lee sorree two reed this N we hope with all we got that everee thing will bee all rite....we haz 984 pluz paws crossed for ewe that ewe due knot haz heart disease; we ask st francis two watch over ewe; N keep ewe in hiz care ....we noe mom iz stressed, we R sorree ~~~~~~ ♥♥♥♥♥

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  6. Oh no! I am so sorry to hear this about beautiful Milita. I hope they can correct the fluid build up. We are sending our POTP to you all. ♥

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  7. We love our little pal Melita and send purrs and prayers to get well and support Mom and Carmine.
    Timmy, Dad and Family

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  8. WE sure send tons of purrs and prayers. Hopefully the medicine will help her heart. I had a cat with the same thing and she lived a long time on the medicine.

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  9. I'm so sorry you're going through this. We're purring and praying for the very best for sweet Lita.

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  10. oh sweetheart, we are so sorry you have to go through this. It's not fun, and I know your mom must be very worried. We're purring and praying for you sweetie. Get well soon. Big HUGS from M for your human.

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  11. I'm so, so sorry to hear this. Sending lots of hugs and purrs to you and Milita.

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  12. Oh dear! This is distressing news indeed.
    WE will send along huge purrs for the best possible outcome.We purr her condition is treatable.
    Purrs Georgia and Julie,
    Treasure and JJ

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  13. Oh, I'm so sorry! I hope you get some very good info from the cardiologist. Please don't feel bad if the coughing is due to her heart and not asthma. There would be no way for you to know this. I'm glad she seems to be feeling well. Again, I hope you have helpful news from the appointment and a good treatment plan if needed. I am hoping for all the best for Milita.

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  14. I agree with Annie Bear, there is just no way of knowing. We're all purring for dear Lita and we're on 24/7 duty. We're all hear for you, but think positive and get some rest. Hugs from all of us.

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  15. We're sorry you and Milita are going through this. Let's hope for a good report from the cardiologist . Purrs.

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  16. Please don't feel bad that you didn't know what might be going on with Milita - how COULD you know, when the symptoms were more typical of something you were already treating? I'm sending lots and lots of purrs to Milita, and to you too, because I know how very upset and worried you are.

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  17. This is distressing news but please don't be hard on yourself. We're sending lots of pawsitive purrs!

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  18. This is distressing news but please don't be hard on yourself. We're sending lots of pawsitive purrs!

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  19. I'm so sorry to hear this. Please don't beat yourself up. You know that cats hide illness and discomfort, and sometimes, even the most observant cat parent just won't notice anything until the symptoms become very obvious. Try to not get ahead of yourself and take this one day at a time. You'll have a better idea of what you're dealing with after the ultrasound - and the good news is that heart disease can be treated! Sending lots of love and healing purrs to you and Militia.

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  20. Oh, we are so sorry you and Militia are going through this. We are praying for her complete recovery.

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  21. If the coughing is due to heart disease and not asthma you may be able to cut back the steroids. There are other treatments for asthma such as an inhaler that are actually considered more efficacious. We are purring and praying that once she gets some fluid off she will be much better. Militia fluid is from left sided heart failure or chf. That means the left ventricle cannot pump all the blood given to it by the right. The difference builds pressure and fluid leaks into the avioli (the small air sacks that transfer O2 in and CO2 out) There are other causes than just heart failure so this is not a stamp of heart disease.
    I am betting you know all this but being a RN I want to make sure as we all care so much for sweet Militia. We will be honored to help with and spread the word about a fund raiser.
    We send our purrs and prayers to her, Carmine and you Sierra.
    Dad Pete, Timmy and Family

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  22. A PS
    Cats can hide an illness for a very long time. Please do not feel guilty as you love and care for you kitties as much as anyone.
    Purrs
    Dad Timmy and Family

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  23. We are sending healing purrs to Milita, we has our paws crossed that things will turn out OK for her.

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  24. We are sending lots and lots of purrs and prayers your way! We hope Milita does not have diabetes and that all news comes back favorable. But, no matter what, you are such a wonderful mom to your kitties, and we know that you and Milita can work together to help her manage whatever diagnosis she receives. You will be in our thoughts.

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  25. Keeping Melita in our purrs. A couple of months ago Minchie had a heart ultrasound and what we thought was an enlarged heart turned out not to be. The ultrasound will tell for you for sure. Purrs and hugs for your mom.

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  26. Lots of purrs, prayers, hugs and nose kisses for sweet Melita and for you. Mumsy, Pooh and Chancy

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  27. Many purrs and purrayers are coming your way from all of us.

    Mindy
    Moe
    Mike
    Cookie

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  28. Purrs and prayers for beautiful Melita, and for you and Carmine also - this is hard on everyone.

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  29. I am so sorry you and Melita are suffering over her health. I am saying prayers that she does not have diabetes and that her lungs recover easily and quickly.

    Debby in AZ
    http://homelesscatcare.blogspot.com

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  30. Don't blame yourself, or think of "what ifs," because there's no way to know these things. We are purring and praying for Milita, you, and the doctors. <3

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  31. I am praying for Milita, I will try to donate soon.

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  32. We are sending lots of purrs and prayers.

    Noodle and crew

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  33. As you know I am purring and praying and left the bulk of my comments on Facebook. I wanted you to know when my Angel Bobo was diagnosed with heart disease, he NEVER COUGHED.......NOT ONCE. I am hopeful that it is her asthma. Keeping paws crossed and praying. catchatwithcarenandcody

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  34. We're so sorry to read this. We send tons of purrs to Milita and you. Purrs

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  35. Sending you love and healing prayers.

    Hugs,
    Lily Belle & Muffin

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  36. I'm so sorry Sierra - I know how dear your beloved Milita is to you. But as others have said, please be kind to yourself - Lita needs your love and you are doing the best for her you can.

    I'm sending purrs, love, and comfort your way. Prayers too... xoxoxo Deb and the Zee/Zoey gang

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  37. We are so sorry that sweet Melita is having a rough time, we send her lots of love and purrs and a big hug for you Sierra

    Love from
    Mungo Jet & Jane The Ape xx

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  38. I am so sorry! I am just reading this now. I will be praying for Milita and hoping that whatever it is can be easily treated. Please don't beat up on yourself. You are a dedicated mother. Cats can hide being sick, and we all know that you do your very best for your fur babies.

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  39. So sorry to hear about this news.Sending hugs hugs, purrs and POTP.

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