Gypsy has gone into heart failure on five separate occasions. Her symptoms have included wheezing/loud breathing, coughing, rapid breathing and throwing up clear liquid. She goes completely limp and won't move. Generally, she hides under furniture.
Our vet places the highest importance on her breathing levels. When at rest, her respiratory rate should be under 40 breaths per minute. Anything higher and it's time to start monitoring. If the breath count doesn't go down within an hour or continues to increase, it's time to call your vet. Gypsy's rates have gone as high as 108 while in heart failure.
We've learned that cats experience heart failure in many different ways. Gypsy gives no warning. It comes on fast and strong. With other cats, it's a slower progression. The last time it happened we had just run a quick errand. She had been with us right before we left and was fine. We left for about an hour and came back to find her in full heart failure.
I've searched YouTube videos and other people's experiences online and have found out that many people mistake heart failure symptoms as the cat being sick but not seriously. Vets are expensive so it makes sense that people might be hesitant to find out what's happening.
If your cat is experiencing any of these symptoms, get to an vet immediately. Call your vet to ensure they can handle this type of emergency. If they cannot, go to the nearest 24-hour animal hospital or ask your vet to refer a place for you to take your pet.
- Difficult or rapid breathing
- Blue or gray gums or tongue
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness or lethargy (tiredness)
- Collapse Hind limb paralysis
If you're still not sure, here is a video that shows a cat in severe heart failure. It is disturbing and heartbreaking. Be forewarned.
I've never videoed Gypsy in heart failure and likely never will. I'm a complete wreck when it happens and only have getting her to the animal hospital on my mind. A reminder of what she's like in that condition is way too painful anyway.
No comments:
Post a Comment