Conference misery::feline

    
    Bailey had to go in for blood pressure monitoring in conjunction with
    his treatment for his cardio.  It was an interesting experience.  They
    take a little blood pressure cuff and wrap it around the back paw.  It
    is connected to a machine via tubing and the machine is programmed for
    timed intervals for readings.  In this case it was every three minutes.
    The cuff automatically inflates and the reading is taken. The cuff then
    deflates and the process begins again in three minutes. He was a little
    antsy the first time around but after that he was great.  He was on the
    table with his head resting on my forearm and he actually drifted off.
    One of the techs came in and thought we had sedated him because he was
    so laid back during the process.  The numbers look great and he is 
    doing well.
    
    

    Good boy, Bailey!!  Blue is also pretty laid back during his testing. 
    But, at Tufts, they prefer the owner be in the waiting
    room.....boo hiss!!
    
    Marlene, did they do a kidney profile on Bales?  They ran one on Blue 3
    weeks ago to see how well he was tolerating his meds.
    
    Mary

    
    Yes, Mary they did.  They ran an entire blood panel after the
    thrombosis and then ran another one about 2 weeks ago.  Everything
    looked good.  We had to go back to a 1/2 of Lasix daily (we had tapered
    off to every other) because there was still enlargement of the heart.
    When I get back from the East coast (home for Thanksgiving) we will
    have another ultrasound done to see how everything looks.  It was 2
    months ago yesterday that this all started.  I never would have thought
    he would still be here with me.  I have alot to be thankful for this
    Thanksgiving. :'D
    
    
    

    Just wanted to let everyone know that I have keyworded this note
    DIAGNOSTICS.
    
    Jan

Hi Marlene,

Blue is still taking 1/2 a Lasix a day, and Cardizem 1/4 tab three times
a day.  His heart is still enlarged, but he's doing well.  They just started
him on 1/4 asprin twice a week.  He'll be getting another ultrasound when
they do his teeth.

It's always something!!  I dread the day Blue throws a clot.....but
till then, I've got alot to be thankful for, too!!

Mary

    
    Mary, I am glad to hear that they have started him on the aspirin.
    I truly believe that in the long run that will be the key med.
    
    

    What can you tell me about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?  The love of
    our life "Tai Tai" has had a heart problem the last few years and they
    finally recommended an ultrsound.  They later took an x-ray as they
    were concerned about fluid in his lungs.  His lungs showed clear but
    the diagnosis was the above.  He is on 1/4 tablet of cardezem (I think)
    every 8 hours.  Is there an easy way to administer pills to a cat?  I
    don't have much problem but my husband has to give the mid afternoon
    dose and it took him 4 tries to get it down.  This is the cat my
    husband starts a fire in the fireplace for and puts out the big LL Bean
    cushion in front.  This is on a day with weather in the 45-50 range but
    as he put it, Tai loves a fire.  Any advice, folks??
    
    

    There are several notes covering cardiomyopathy.  SHOW KEY/FULL
    CARDIOMYOPATHY gives the following notes 29.2, 138.* and 416.38.  There
    is quite a bit of information in these notes since it seems that quite
    a few FELINE cats have/had this disease.
    
    Regarding pilling your cat, try using a pill popper.  You can either
    get one from your vet or s/he can tell you where to get one.  
    
    Michelle

    Can any of you give me advice on tricks when using pill popper?  We
    finally found one and my husband still has trouble getting Tai to take
    his pill.  By the time he gets the pill down after 5 - 6 tries, Tai
    takes off and hides.  I'm sure the stress is not too good for him.
    
    

    I don't use a pill popper, but I pop the pill by hand as far down the cat's
    throat as I can, so s/he's more likely to swallow than spit it out.  I
    think it's important to approach this with confidence and not let the cat
    intimidate you, as it's more likely to succeed.       
    

    p.s.  After you succeed for a few days in a row, your cat will
    start to become resigned to it and it will be
    easier.
    

    Thanks for all the advice...and it works... I have given the "pill-job"
    to my husband.  He's retired, home all day and adores Tai.  I went into
    the old Feline column and printed out all the suggestions there
    regarding pilling cats and the pill popper.  He tried the one where you
    sit the cat on something high (like a freezer) but Tai develops rubber
    spine and would flop over the minute Gene touched his head.  But.. he
    now manages to get the pill down usually on the first try (sometimes
    second) and all seems ok.  What would we do without this notes file??
    Tai goes back next week to have a "listen to" for his heart and another
    Ultrasound is scheduled for February.  

    Marlene,
    
    Did you know that the Robert H. Winn Foundation funded the study that
    developed the kitty blood pressure machine?  Let's hear it for Winn!
    If it wasn't for the money that is donated to them, some of our cats
    wouldn't be leading the happy healthy lives that they are.
    
    Wish the anti-breeding folks could understand that Winn was founded by
    and funded by cat breeders and fanciers, and that having the Winn
    Foundation around has made a significant difference in the health of
    cats all over the world.
    
    Jo