i've just been asked to provide hospice care for a young (3-5 years old) persian with a peritoneal-pericardial hernia, and have been told basically the same thing--that while the surgery itself is technically POSSIBLE, it would probably kill him...
he's at a good weight, only has occasional mild trouble breathing--but with his intestines up around his lungs and heart, there's no way of knowing when or if they'll shift and, well, you get the picture..... he doesn't need any meds or special care per se (tho agility training is definitely not an option--sorry, but my warped sense of humor is the only way i survive).... the rest of his furry family are going on a long-distance transport, but they don't think he'd survive it.... so he's one that i will just love to death. MC On 2/1/07, Kelley Saveika <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Hi Nina, I'm surprised to hear that. Everyone I have talked to - the cardiologist, the internist, the Yahoo heart group - says they are not doing surgery on cats and that they don't do well at all with heart lung machines. They say even dogs only have about a 5% survival rate with this surgery. I'd put a 2nd mortgage on my house for Missy, but not if she has a 99% likelihood of dying. Is it possible to get more info from your ex? Maybe a hospital in a different state... Yes, I'm on the Yahoo heart group. They are really nice there, not as nice as here of course:) On 2/1/07, Nina <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Kelley, > Did the vet mention anything about the possibility of surgery helping Missy? I don't know anything about CHF, but the diagnosis you've outlined sounds an awful lot like what my ex-husband heard when he adopted a little stray kitten. He opted for surgery and she came through with flying colors. I guess it's becoming more and more common to do surgery on cats with heart problems. It was quite costly, but his little girl is about a year old now with no further problems. Others on the list have mentioned a group for cats with heart ailments, have you joined one yet? > > Of course Missy is in my prayers and thoughts. You know how I feel about that little darling of yours, > Nina > > > Kelley Saveika wrote: > > Please pray or send healing thoughts to Missy, or whatever your personal beliefs allow. > > She went to the cardiologist today. Here is her diagnosis: > > Diagnosis: Congenital heart disease. Missy has a large atrial septal > defect/ventricular septal defect (8 mm) a hole in the lower atrial > septal and upper ventricular septal wall where the chambers join which > allows blood to shunt right to left and left to right in the heart. > Her heart chambers are dialated and her pulmonary artery and veins are > dilated. Her right ventricular wall is mildly thickened. The defects > can lead to congenital heart disease (CHF) with fluid retention in the > lungs, chest cavity and/or abdomen. Therefore I would recommend > starting her on a low dose of furosemide. > > She called in a prescription of furosemide 10 mg/ml .3 mg once daily. > > > Here is Missy's picture, for those who haven't seen it. > > http://www.moonvine.net/missy > > -- > Rescuties - Saving the world, one cat at a time. > > http://www.rescuties.org > > Vist the Rescuties store and save a kitty life! > > http://astore.amazon.com/rescuties-20 -- Rescuties - Saving the world, one cat at a time. http://www.rescuties.org Vist the Rescuties store and save a kitty life! http://astore.amazon.com/rescuties-20
-- Spay & Neuter Your Neighbors! Maybe That'll Make The Difference.... MaryChristine AIM / YAHOO: TenHouseCats MSN: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ICQ: 289856892
