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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / August 2004

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Fainting/hyperthyroid Buddha's Ultrasound (Update)

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Mary - 12 Aug 2004 22:13 GMT
It's good news! Her heart is perfectly sound, there are no structural
abnormalities, no "hypertrophic myocarditis" aka enlarged heart, nothing
wrong at all except ...

After cutting back on the Tapazole (from 5 mgs twice a day to 5 mgs once a
day) her heart rate is back up to 300+. I had cut it back because her
appetite fell off and she threw up one dose, and most people I asked said 10
mgs a day was high.

The vet says the high heart rate alone could cause fainting episoded due to
arythmia and possible fibrillation. It makes perfect sense that she would
have had a fainting spell before being on Tapazole then one after the
Tapazole was reduced by half.

He prescribed a beta blocker and told me to go back to the 10 mgs of
Tapazole per day. I have a feeling just increasing the Tapazole will
probably reduce her heart rate, because it did at the higher dosage--it was
down to 230 at her last checkup.

He also told me not to even think about a brain tumor, because her behavior
is not abnormal--for a cat. When I told him about the "mow mow mow" head
wagging thing he immediately asked "does she bite her arm?" And I said
"Yes!" He said "it's called feline hyperesthesia. Perfectly normal."

Thanks to everyone in both groups for helping. The ultrasound (here in
Raleigh, NC) was $245, and worth every penny to put my mind at ease. Now we
can slowly reduce her weight and hopefully prevent future heart disease.
Cathy Friedmann - 12 Aug 2004 22:22 GMT
> It's good news! Her heart is perfectly sound, there are no structural
> abnormalities, no "hypertrophic myocarditis" aka enlarged heart, nothing
> wrong at all except ...

Excellent!  You must feel very relieved. :-)

> After cutting back on the Tapazole (from 5 mgs twice a day to 5 mgs once a
> day) her heart rate is back up to 300+. I had cut it back because her
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> wagging thing he immediately asked "does she bite her arm?" And I said
> "Yes!" He said "it's called feline hyperesthesia. Perfectly normal."

I hope this is it.

Cathy

> Thanks to everyone in both groups for helping. The ultrasound (here in
> Raleigh, NC) was $245, and worth every penny to put my mind at ease. Now we
> can slowly reduce her weight and hopefully prevent future heart disease.
buglady - 13 Aug 2004 01:08 GMT
> It's good news! Her heart is perfectly sound, there are no structural
> abnormalities, no "hypertrophic myocarditis" aka enlarged heart, nothing
> wrong at all except ...

> The vet says the high heart rate alone could cause fainting episoded due to
> arythmia and possible fibrillation. It makes perfect sense that she would
> have had a fainting spell before being on Tapazole then one after the
> Tapazole was reduced by half.

.....good news for you and your kitty.  Hope he continues to do well.

buglady
take out the dog before replying
Josh - 13 Aug 2004 15:54 GMT
> It's good news! Her heart is perfectly sound, there are no structural
> abnormalities, no "hypertrophic myocarditis" aka enlarged heart, nothing
> wrong at all except ...

I think you might mean hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

> Thanks to everyone in both groups for helping. The ultrasound (here in
> Raleigh, NC) was $245, and worth every penny to put my mind at ease. Now we
> can slowly reduce her weight and hopefully prevent future heart disease.

Who did you see?  I live in the area, so I'm curious.  Glad things turned
out for the best.
Nomen Nescio - 16 Aug 2004 05:00 GMT
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----

From: "Mary" <rosefan@email.com>

>It's good news! Her heart is perfectly sound, there are no structural
>abnormalities, no "hypertrophic myocarditis" aka enlarged heart, nothing
>wrong at all except ...

Great!

>After cutting back on the Tapazole (from 5 mgs twice a day to 5 mgs once a
>day) her heart rate is back up to 300+. I had cut it back because her
>appetite fell off and she threw up one dose, and most people I asked said 10
>mgs a day was high.

It seems high to me. I've never had a cat that needed more than half that.
You must have a seriously hyperthyroid cat, there.

>The vet says the high heart rate alone could cause fainting episoded due to
>arythmia and possible fibrillation. It makes perfect sense that she would
>have had a fainting spell before being on Tapazole then one after the
>Tapazole was reduced by half.

Sounds reasonable.

The one suggestion I would make is to pick up a stethoscope at the pharmacy
(about $20) and keep a close watch on her heart. You can time the heart
rate without one, but it makes it a hell of a lot easier. An untrained ear can
also pick up abnormalities such as arythmia or a "whoosh,whoosh" sound
that can indicate progressive valve damage.

I believe you said you were going for the iodine treatment when the thyroid
stabilizes, so the long term effects of the Tapazole will be a non-issue. But
I would not keep her on 10 mg for more than a few months.

Best of luck
 
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