Hi - Emerson here. This past week I had to have a check up with my cardiologist.After the tech checked my vitals (including my blood pressure), we had to wait for the doctor.
There was a computer just outside the examining room door.
There was a diagram of a dog's heart on the wall, but none of a cat's heart.
After the doctor examined me, I was taken into another room for an echocardiogram. Both mommie and daddie accompanied me. The news was not very good. This is my diagnosis:
- *Juvenile-onset hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
- *Systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve - resolved on atenolol (Yay!)
- *Moderate mitral regurgitation
- *Severe segmental left ventricular hypertrophy - left ventricular papillary muscles and the posterior free wall (Boo!)
- *Severe left atrial chamber dilation - posing a risk for congestive heart failure and blood clot events (Boo!)
*Normal left ventricular contractility (Yay!)
The doctor told mommie that juvenile-onset hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy is more serious and aggressive than the kind that develops later in life. After I was given some blood tests (which mommie did not get to witness!), the doctor prescribed some more meds for me. In addition to my atenolol (which I've been taking for over a year), I now have to take Benazepril and Plavix. If I do okay on them, the doctor might add something called Diltiazem. That's a lot of meds for my pill pocket. But I'm a good boy and I want to live as long as I can so I will take them.
To lighten up this post, you might enjoy this photo of my silly sister in her yurt.
She's an angel when she is asleep. Her yurt looks a little unstable to me.
37 comments:
Our purrs Mr. Emerson. I am glad that you have a very loving family cause that's important when you are battling things like that!
We're sorry you're not well, Emerson. You are fortunate to have someone who loves you and will take care of you, such as giving you your meds every day. Purrs and wags.
So sorry to hear you got bad noos from the V*T. We don't understand all those big words, but it looks like your heart is broken.
There are some other kitties in the CB with broked hearts, maybe they could tell you a bit more about that.
PS: That yurt does look unstable.
Lots of prayers and purrrs to you Emerson!! We know your family will take good acre of you!! You sister does look silly!! We hope she didn't fall off!!
(((((HUGGGGGSSSSSSS)))))))) from your TX furiends,
Emerson, I wanted to tell you that Pixie was on Plavix for a long time and it helped her a lot. At first, she was on a tiny dose of baby aspirin to prevent clots, but it sometimes made her bomit. The cardiologist way back then said that Plavix was experimental at the time, and started Pixie on it. She had been having episodes of syncope and small seizures at the time, and those stopped on the Plavix. I hope it works real good for you, too.
Oh Emerson that sounds like a lot of pills! Maybe you can get them in 2 pill pockets? Those pill pockets are tasty after all.
We hope the meds help and that you will feel better soon. Hugs and Purrs.
Emerson, we're sorry you are having heart problems but we hope the medicines...and lots of love...help you.
We're purring for you.
Hi Emerson. We read about your diagnosis on the CB and wanted to come by and say we'll add you to our purrs and prayers.
The Florida Furkids and Angel Sniffie
Emerson, we heard that you were not well and wanted to come by and give you some healing purrs!! We purr the meds will let you go on for a long time and that you feel OK .WE send purrs to your family too,because we know they are worried about you and love you.
Purrs Tillie and Georgia
That is a long list of fings wrong, isn't it? I's finking two pill pockets minimum. They is good tasting, those pill pockets.
Your fambly sounds so nice to take such good care of you, that is impawtant, too.
And all your furriends in the CB will be purring fur you, 'cause we all loves you, too.
You keep the CB posted, okay, cause we all want to know. And iffen we can do anyfing to help, you just let us know.
Love & Purrs,
KC
Missy Blue Eyes
Faith Boomerang
Sol
Smokey
Brutus Jr.
Mom ML
Dear Emerson, we just heard you had to visit the vet on account of your heart. We are sending lots of purrs to you, buddy. Those meds are good and help lots of kitties and peoples too. Your beans love you, so make sure you do your bit and take those pill pockets.
Hugs and purrs,
Moe
Mindy
BonBon
Cookie
Mike
Oh Emerson, we are sorry your heart is misbehaving. We have a sister whose heart is not behaving either. She has to take lasix twice a day.
Sounds like you are on a lot of medication and we sure hope it all makes you better. We are sending tons of purrs. Take care.
We are new to your blog and very sorry to hear about your condition. Keep taking your meds and enjoy everyday! :D
Emerson, you were very brave at the doctor. We're sorry you have all those things going on, but you have a wonderful family to look out for you.
Purrs,
Cory and family
Healing purrs to you Emerson. What a scary diagnosis.
Lots of purrs and prayers that
tyou do well on your heart meds!
Wow! That is a bunch of pills for one little poodin to take! But if you take them in a pill pocket, then you are a great patient! Many purrs and hugs coming to you Emerson!
Luf, Us
Emerson, Kit and I are purring for you! It sounds like your family loves you a lot and is taking super good care of you. Be a good kitty and take all your pill pockets, okay? And keep us posted, you haf a lot of kitties purring for you!
Emerson we are sorry to hear you have all those things wrong with your heart. We hope the medication works well for you. We are sending you lots of great big purrs.
Mr. Emerson, we are sending you lots of healing purrs to help fix your heart.
Emerson, we saw the news on the Cat Blogosphere, from a comment that Jan of Jan's Funny Farm had made. We're sorry to meet you under these circumstances, but would like to send you our purrs, purrayers and universal Light. We'll keep our paws crossed that the meds work well for you and enable you to have quality of life for a long, long time to come.
-Nicki and Derry
That's a lot of big words for your sweet heart. We know that your Mommy and Daddy will always take the very best care of you.
Sending smoochies!
xoxoxoxoxoxox
My sister and I are sending you lots and lots and lots of purrs and prays sweet Emerson!
Maybe woo need me as a khanine khardiakh khoach?
Paws khrossed woo follow the dokhtor's orders!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
We are purring very hard, Emerson, that the meds all help your heart. Take it easy, friend.
Laura and Taffy
Oh Emerson, I'm so sorry to read about your medical problems. My new brother Buddy and I are purring and purring for you - just keep eating those pill pockets so the medisuns can help you stay well,
{{{hugs}}}
Tasha & Buddy & Karen (Mum)
Emerson fella, we are bummed about your heart issues but you are getting some serious help from those meds, we hope it works out well and you do ok. You are a trooper taking all those medicines. Sending purrs and love to you and your great family
Gerry & Oliver
We are so sorry your heart is sick - we hope your tablets help.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
Emerson, we are so sorry your heart has so many problems (boo). But we knows you will take your medicines and live a long happy healthy life. We are sending healing purrs and our paws are crossed you feels better soon.
Wow, you have a really great vet! We're purring everything is a-ok with you.
We saw this on Alasandra's and popped ofur to wish your our best and give you sum healing purrs and purrayers. We are glad you haf a good family to help you get better. xoxo from Prancer Pie.
It sounds like you have kinda what I have, Emerson! If your mom has any questions about cats with broked hearts, tell her she can email my Person. I take my pills TWICE a day because my heart is more broked now than it was when it first broked. I feel kinda bad sometimes because my broked heart is very stressful for my Person, but if you didn't know I had it, you would think I am still my normal self. Paws crossed for you!
I am so sorry that your poor heart has so many problems. I hope that your meds keep you as healthy as you can be for a long time.
Mr. Emerson ... No one would know that you had heart troubles from looking at you, so take your meds an' stay healthy, okay?
BTW: We're coming to visit you! Skeezix's momma is takin' us to Blogpaws at the end of the month! We're so excited!
DMM
We are so sorry to heer that yer hart is sikker. We are dubbling up on the purrs and purrayers we are sending yer way.
XXXOOO
Purring and praying for Emerson.
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