I took Stan to the Vet Cardiologist this morning. What an amazing facility! I have seen Dr's offices that are not this nice. The staff there is wonderful and so friendly. They have a cardiac ward, oncology and ophthalmology as well as Emergency. They have even thought of so many wonderful things like having a comfy blanket on the scale etc.I went with Stan and the Dr into a little room where they did the echocardiogram. Just like on humans they used a non toxic ultrasound gel, which Stan wasn't all that happy about and spent a long time licking off later (Mabel helped clean up Stan too!)
The Dr went over the results with me and it wasn't what we had hoped. He does have heart disease, specifically Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomypathy. Apparently cats can get this type of heart disease and it usually onsets at age 2-4. He's on the young end at only two but we are hoping that will be in his favor and his youthful energy will help him rebound. He's already had some hardening in this heart muscle and we are going to try to reverse it with beta blockers. Some cats respond well to the beta blockers and can have a good life with medication. Others have a genetic predisposition to an aggressive form the disease and the medicine won't do much to help. We will find out in 3 months when I take Stan back for another echocardiogram if his heart is reacting well to the beta blockers. What a happy day that will be if that is the case!!
In all this sadness and worry there are things I am thankful for. I am so thankful that we caught this early. I am thankful that he has the kind of heart disease that has a possible chance of treatment, I am so thankful that there is amazing facility near by with wonderful Drs. to help us. So there is lots to be positive about!
Thank you so much for all your well wishes!!! They are so appreciated!!
