blood tests

Knead softly &- carry a big purr

Purred: Mon Jul 20, '09 7:16pm PST


	I have not had any blood tests when I was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. I had the ultrasound & mri scan. I am on Altenolol, but we are going to ask about aspirin. I have read that this could be caused by the thyroid and with meds can be reversed? any one else hear this? so then it makes me wonder why no blood test were done to check that. We go on Fri to chek heart rate, and we are gonna ask the vet. It just seems to me that should have been done too. Have you guys had blood tests?

just- casual...I\'ve- mellowed with- age!

Purred: Tue Jul 21, '09 4:20pm PST


	I don't have HCM, I have a Ventricular Septal Defect and my cardiologist has done bloodwork and a urine sample. I think he wanted to check my liver enzymes and my kidney function. In your case, I would ask my vet about doing a thyroid screening. HCM is often found in older cats. It can be genetic or can be related to an hyperactive thyroid.

Knead softly &- carry a big purr

Purred: Tue Jul 28, '09 2:25pm PST


	thanks Skylar - I have read about this too. I go to the vet on Friday to check that my heart rate is still nice & low, so we are asking him about all these things. What makes it hard is that they have like 5 vets were we go, and most of the time you can see the same one, but they have been changing schedules, so I have seen 3 different ones since my heart condition was diagnosed. Mom is not happy about that part. So we will let you know how it goes!

RESPECT The- Star!

Purred: Sun Aug 2, '09 6:41am PST


	Tell them, you want a CBC and Wellness blood panel. This should of been done, the first thing. The values, tell the vet, if anything else is going on, that may affect the heart. The vet needs to know, when values change, or if they are too high or too low, as this could signal a change in the heart condition. And they also need to catch and correct any change, as HCM cats have weakened immune systems. Its very important, that any change at all, he be taken to a vet, and they should always run the blood panel again. Even if all the values are in the normal range, the vet can see if they have changed, going up or down, and they need to keep an eye on something. Any vet that tells ya, ya don't need to do this, is not a vet I would want taking care of an HCM cat. Some really are not that familiar with it, and need to do the research, or call UC Davis or WSU and talk to a cardiologist.

Catster