Yes, I've been up all night doing cat care...those first days are a real bitch.

Friday night through early Saturday morning, I took matters into my own hands and gave Jax more Lasix; one pill per day was really obviously not going to do the job.  (I gave him 1.75 more at the six-hour mark, just as Bastian gets.)  By morning, he already didn't look bloated in the middle, and was breathing much more quietly.  Unfortunately, he also has no appetite and is nauseous, which are both expected for uncontrolled heart trouble; he'll feel better once that's handled, but until then I'm stuck forcing food on him (or trying to figure a way to make him want to eat it).

We went to a new vet for abdominal tap (which is just $8) on Saturday, but he turned out to not need it.  The new vet was absolutely excellent, low-priced, plus he already knows our cardiologist from having other patients also under her care.  He had it arranged so Jax could have a good panel of bloodwork to be sure nothing else was causing problems, and results will be emailed to me on Monday.  The doctor said that sometimes something in flame retardants and similar environmental factors can all cause trouble (like hyperthyroidism) that leads to early-onset organ failure.

My brain is fried, so I'll go to bed now.  Just wanted to let people know the basics of what is going on.

Tags: appetite problems, cardiac, chf, diagnosistics, jax, sick cats, vet "heritage"
Current Mood: exhausted