[__ Prayer __] another thread about pets with health problems

[evenifigoalone]

Just in general very scared and trying not to think about it too hard.
One pet has a heart murmur and the other was just diagnosed with kidney failure. The heart murmur is a concern because it seems to be getting worse and I've had to take my dog to the vet multiple times for coughing since last November. And my cat will be seeing the vet for a second opinion once I have the money.

The most distressing thing about this is my resources are very limited. I thought at least my cat wouldn't have any major health concerns until he got a few years older, but turns out I was wrong. And I keep thinking my dog is in stable condition, but then there's the multiple recent vet visits....and then today when he was laying next to me on the couch I could literally hear his heartbeat without even touching him or leaning down. That scares me.
And if some emergency comes up, well I can't pay for it. I can barely manage their current conditions.
Sometimes I wonder if my pets would be better off if I gave one away to a good home that can afford to get them the best care for their condition. Obviously I would rather not do that, my pets are just as important to me as family. Plus who wants to take an animal with special needs anyway. =/

I can look for a better income, at least.

 

[Christ_empowered]

I'm sorry :-(

I'll keep you and your family (pets included, of course) up in prayer.

 

[AirDancer]

You and your 'babies' are in my prayers, questdriven.

 

[Angel]

I understand
I'm sorry you have to go through this too
Praying for your pets health, and that you will receive the financial help you need.

 

[evenifigoalone]

Went to see another vet today.
The possibility of kidney disease isn't ruled out, but they also don't want to say he has it for sure.
They said something else could have caused the creatinine to go up, and his urinalysis came back good. They want to have SDMA (I think??) looked at and gave me a site to look at that explains that. It's only been three weeks since the other blood test was done, they want to wait a bit before doing another one.
I really like this vet, they are informative and giving me more information than our regular vet.

Anyway, they think he can stay on his normal diet. Separate issue, they do think he might have a heart murmur, and want to see if it's still there next visit.

Also, this visit didn't even take up half of the money I brought with me, so that's awesome.

 

[Angel]

Good! Still praying

 

[AirDancer]

Went to see another vet today.
The possibility of kidney disease isn't ruled out, but they also don't want to say he has it for sure.
They said something else could have caused the creatinine to go up, and his urinalysis came back good. They want to have SDMA (I think??) looked at and gave me a site to look at that explains that. It's only been three weeks since the other blood test was done, they want to wait a bit before doing another one.
I really like this vet, they are informative and giving me more information than our regular vet.

Anyway, they think he can stay on his normal diet. Separate issue, they do think he might have a heart murmur, and want to see if it's still there next visit.

Also, this visit didn't even take up half of the money I brought with me, so that's awesome.

Very encouraging news, questdriven!

Prayers continue!

 

[evenifigoalone]

So in about three weeks will take Oreo back to the vet.

And then I'm going to get Treader looked at again as soon as I can. The coughing he's getting may not be serious and he may just need to be put on a permanent cough suppressant--I did ask the vet about that when I took Oreo there. But from what other people are telling me, the cough could also be an indication of more serious things.
It's pretty much definitely heart related at this point, I think. One question the vet asked is if he was coughing when excited. Generally, no, like if we're about to go for a walk he'll get excited and there's not really any difference there. But then the other day he did have a coughing fit after chasing a cat out of the backyard.

What the vet told me is that it could be something as simple as his heart is pressing on his lungs or esophagus, since it's enlarged.

 

[Angel]

I will pray the vet visit is affordable and that Treader would be fine, nothing serious.

 

[Angel]

How are things going with your pets?

 

[evenifigoalone]

Mmm...Treader got that ear infection I was hoping he wouldn't get. That's the way it goes I guess. Right now using the medicine we got last time. Hopefully it'll work and we won't need to go to the vet about it.

And I set up an appointment for Oreo next week for one last blood test and having his heart looked at again. Hopefully can do his shots then, too.

And then after a bit going to set up an appointment for Treader to get his coughing looked at again.

 

[Angel]

Ill pray the ear medicine heals treaders ears and that Oreo will be ok too.

 

[evenifigoalone]

Well, the vet visit today confirmed my cat definitely has a heart murmur. Waiting on blood test results to see if they can determine the cause. The blood test is also checking for early signs of kidney disease since that came up before.

 

[Angel]

Is it treatable?

 

[evenifigoalone]

Well my dog is on meds for his own heart murmur and has been for years. But I guess it depends on what causes it? We'll see what the results are before we make any more steps, I think.

 

[Angel]

Ok. Keep us updated.

 

[evenifigoalone]

Blood test didn't say anything about the heart murmur. So his thyroid and stuff is fine.
The vet says I can choose to pursue it further, which would involve a chest x-ray and possibly an ultrasound elsewhere (because no clinics in my immediate area have that), or just keep it in mind and try to keep an eye on it. The murmur could be nothing serious, or there could be heart disease.

 

[Angel]

Shoot. I will pray that God will help you figure out what to do.