Dear Jane,
I'm sorry to hear about Squeaky...and your furbaby
I just want to second the idea that a feline oncologist should evaluate your Squeaky. At this time, please try not to worry about stressing out your kitty by more procedures...it's one step at a time here with the first with the first being getting an evaluation sooner than than later. At the time of the evaluation (second step) further diagnostic testing and treatment options are discussed. Please let the vet know of your concerns. You as the owner has the final say as to what procedures/testing are to be done and I believe you will make these in the best interst of Squeaky.
Most importantly, please make an appointment ASAP wth a feline oncologist for another opinion. Time is of the essence.
My one guy is having cardiac and pulmonary problems that are keeping me on my toes. Although my problems are different, I do know the feelings and thinking stuff you are going through right now..
Be strong Squeaky...you and your Meowmom are in my prayers..
Jane, please keep us updated..
coughing up blood
Re: coughing up blood
Lisa, Angel Smokey and little Caz
Re: coughing up blood
Jane,
This is indeed a very confusing case....for this reason, I DO strongly suggest faxing Squeaky's records immediately to the nearest available feline oncologist. Chances are, they will be able to review and offer more input on the x-rays, lab results, and records that indicate present symptoms, response to current treatment, etc. Your current primary vet should be able to do a quick consult on your behalf, you may only be charged for the cost of a long distance phone call and/or faxing charges, teleconferencing. Please call your vet immediately and discuss in full this option.
I understand the necessity of keeping Squeaky calm and foregoing an ultrasound at this point, especially in view of the breathing distress and if his lungs are congested with blood or fluid. But I do wonder if an abdomniocentisis was done from the fluid in the chest cavity, from the blood? (ruling out chylothorax or pneumothorax are also potentials here, do you know if Squeaky suffered a previous trauma of sorts, maybe from an outdoor fight, etc?)
Equally as important is having your own vet available at this point in the event of another attack or necessitating oxygen delivery, please ensure your vet is available to you in the event of another emergency. For now, please don't wait on getting an oncologist's consult, I feel this should be done IMMEDIATELY.
This is indeed a very confusing case....for this reason, I DO strongly suggest faxing Squeaky's records immediately to the nearest available feline oncologist. Chances are, they will be able to review and offer more input on the x-rays, lab results, and records that indicate present symptoms, response to current treatment, etc. Your current primary vet should be able to do a quick consult on your behalf, you may only be charged for the cost of a long distance phone call and/or faxing charges, teleconferencing. Please call your vet immediately and discuss in full this option.
I understand the necessity of keeping Squeaky calm and foregoing an ultrasound at this point, especially in view of the breathing distress and if his lungs are congested with blood or fluid. But I do wonder if an abdomniocentisis was done from the fluid in the chest cavity, from the blood? (ruling out chylothorax or pneumothorax are also potentials here, do you know if Squeaky suffered a previous trauma of sorts, maybe from an outdoor fight, etc?)
Equally as important is having your own vet available at this point in the event of another attack or necessitating oxygen delivery, please ensure your vet is available to you in the event of another emergency. For now, please don't wait on getting an oncologist's consult, I feel this should be done IMMEDIATELY.
..........Traci
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jane, london
Re: coughing up blood
thanks everyone for your advice and thoughts
great news - squeek is alive and well after all these months
we picked him up from the vets on the friday night when they said that nothing more could be done, but we asked them to change the antibiotic to clindamycin which we started him on straight away
on monday morning some results came back from the bronchail lavage test which showed a bacterial infection which was resistant to the antibiotics he had been on for 3 weeks, but sensitive to clindamycin!
so he gradually improved but did have one further attack of coughing up blood which we can now link to him getting excited and out of breath
so it seems he developed a respiratory tract infection which turned into a bacterial infection in the lungs and then caused lung damage which was aggravated by him exerting himself, causing bleeding
he also had daily cortisone, a bronchial dilator and a diuretic which we gradually reduced, as well as stopping him from playing or getting too excited, and the clindamycin continued for 3 weeks
i hope this helps anyone in a similar positon in the furture
jane
london, UK
great news - squeek is alive and well after all these months
we picked him up from the vets on the friday night when they said that nothing more could be done, but we asked them to change the antibiotic to clindamycin which we started him on straight away
on monday morning some results came back from the bronchail lavage test which showed a bacterial infection which was resistant to the antibiotics he had been on for 3 weeks, but sensitive to clindamycin!
so he gradually improved but did have one further attack of coughing up blood which we can now link to him getting excited and out of breath
so it seems he developed a respiratory tract infection which turned into a bacterial infection in the lungs and then caused lung damage which was aggravated by him exerting himself, causing bleeding
he also had daily cortisone, a bronchial dilator and a diuretic which we gradually reduced, as well as stopping him from playing or getting too excited, and the clindamycin continued for 3 weeks
i hope this helps anyone in a similar positon in the furture
jane
london, UK