My 9 year-old cat Sasha is sick

[iAmBaronVonTito]

Erika, nice to hear Sasha pulled through...keep the updates coming. 

[Son of Dorvid]

Depending on the situation, a vet who makes house-calls is often worth the extra money.

So glad to hear Sasha's feeling better, Erika.  Keep us posted.

[Sarah]

I'm sorry, erika.  Good luck.

[erika]

Thanks. After removing my mattress and box spring (queen size) I was able to get her into the carrier and to the vet, who unfortunately wasn't able to view the xrays the other vet gave me. They're going to try to look at them later this week. (If I have to take my laptop in there I'll do it)

Basically they told me that she has a little gallop in her heart, she's too fat (16lbs!), and we should wait and see if the coughing comes back. Eventually I'll need the cardiac consult at some point but it's not a critical situation.

Thanks everyone for letting me voice my mini-pet-meltdown... I forget that she's not a kitten anymore and these things should be somewhat expected.

[Sarah]

Yeah, after seeing that one picture that shows her belly in all its glory, I was going to say that one of the best things you could do for her is slim her down.  I restrained myself because I figured that kind of advice wasn't really what you needed/wanted to hear right now.  But at the least less weight will mean less strain on her heart and less pressure on her lungs, so it's an obvious step that could make a big difference.

It's so horrible when animals are sick.  The helplessness drives one insane.  But don't blame yourself, kiddo.  It does no good.

[Andy]

you should start feeding her kitten food.  every kitten I've ever seen was small.

[<<<<<]

Be thankful that you've gotten a warning.  Kitties can be really good at hiding the fact that they're sick.

[Sarah]

I guess I should start eating baby food.

[JonFromMaplewood]

Ericka,

I am really sorry you are going through this.  No recommendations, just my best thoughts. 

Our one-year-old cat is sick as well.  As of a few days ago, his eyes went all Marty Feldman on us, and we could not figure it out.  On the heels of losing our older cat in a car accident, we are kinda wigged out.  We are still getting to the bottom of it.

Keep us posted.

-Jon

[masterofsparks]

I hope everything goes OK, JonfromMaplewood.

[Sarah]

Yes, that would be very disturbing.

[senorcorazon]

One of our cats puked this morning. I think it was a sympathy yak for S.C. Sasha. I would have preferred they just sent a card.

[erika]

Jon I'm sorry to hear about your bad luck with the kitties! I hope everything turns out ok 

Senor -- thank your kitty for the yak. Sasha always appreciates a good yak.

[Bryan]

My dog yakked this morning too. But she does that about 30% of all mornings. All the same - let's say it was a sympathy yak as well.

[Shaggy 2 Grote]

Yeah, good thoughts, Erika.  Just do whatever you reasonably can and then leave it up to faith.  I lost a cat to a congenital heart disorder in 2004 and it was pretty devastating - a LOT of medical attention (including a visit to a heart specialist on the Upper East Side) got us an extra week or two with him, but in the end it wasn't meant to be.

But I will be thinking of you guys!