TLDR: cat from rescue has undisclosed health issues and rescue is zero help, now I have to choose the cat’s fate.
Hi, this is all encompassing for me and I don’t know what to do. I’ll try to keep this as short as possible.
I’ve had this cat for one month. Within days of adopting, he started sneezing blood. Vet attributed it to stress, and sent us home with fortiflora. Said if he was still sneezing in 10 days, to let her know and she’ll prescribe antibiotics. She also heard a stage 4 heart murmur, said to come back for recheck in 2-3 mo and recommended an echo. Echo is scheduled for 6/5.
He stopped sneezing.
A couple weeks later, I notice his breathing seemed fast even while at rest, and slightly labored. He was still playful and eating/drinking. Brought him back to the vet for xrays- enlarged heart, pneumonia, fluid around lungs, in chf, nearest vet that can get him in for oxygen and echo same day is an hour away. My cat absolutely freaks out at the vet, and I ended up bringing him home to calm down, with an antibiotic and diuretic.
That evening he was back to his playful self.
He is 10mos.
Background: stray intake, neutered as part of a high volume program, no on-site vet, taken in by rescue and adopted out through petsmart.
I’m sad, and angry. Do rescues normally put up animals for adoption that aren’t properly vetted?
The rescue has been no help at all, as far as asking for an affiliated vet to try and get cheaper care (they said they don’t recommended any surgery or expensive testing and rather make the cats comfortable let nature take its course). So…I get to bring home a cat, love him, get my small children attached to him, only to watch him die and let nature take its course?
How could they miss such a prominent heart murmur?
The vet said to keep him calm. I have two toddlers and two dogs. Am I horrible for keeping our cat in our household? Would it be worse to give him back in hopes that he finds a quiet home? Would they just euthanize without blinking an eye? I am set on getting the echo, to find out the source of the issue and trying my best to keep this cat alive. Obviously I would rather not have our family watch him waste away. I don’t want him to suffer or have any pain. He gets so stressed at any vet visit, and administering the liquid medication is a whole other battle.
If anybody has any insight or advice at all, I’d really appreciate it.
Pics for cat tax. He loves being around us and playing with the kids’ toys.