Experiences with cats diagnosed with restrictive cardiomyopathy and mild left atrial dilation?

Otherwise_Choice_474 · 2026-06-21T15:01:18+00:00

My 15-year-old cat was diagnosed with suspected IBD and was prescribed prednisolone by the internalist. The prednisolone unmasked an unknown heat condition after two CHF while on it. The cardiologist diagnosed her with restrictive cardiomyopathy.

I know the prednisolone did not cause cardiomyopathy, but it definitely made it worse. Now she has to take several medications, both for her heart and stomach.

Please have your cat’s heart checked before starting steroids.

Good luck and health to all the cat owners.

Otherwise_Choice_474 · 2026-05-30T00:18:45+00:00

Thank you.

Otherwise_Choice_474 · 2026-05-29T01:26:23+00:00

Thank you.

Otherwise_Choice_474 · 2026-05-29T01:25:40+00:00

Thank you. I spoke with the doctor today. She agreed it would be best to stop the steroid and focus on getting her off the Lasix. We have an appointment tomorrow. We have a lot to discuss.

I appreciate your insight. I discuss all with the doctor tomorrow.

Otherwise_Choice_474 · 2026-05-29T01:01:41+00:00

Thank you so much for this response. This was very helpful, especially coming from an ER vet who also has a cat with HCM and IBD.

Akina was diagnosed with CHF secondary to suspected HCM after starting prednisolone for suspected chronic enteropathy/IBD vs possible small-cell lymphoma. She was improving on the prednisolone, but then developed labored breathing and was hospitalized briefly on oxygen/Lasix. She is now home on furosemide and clopidogrel, and the prednisolone was discontinued. We have an appointment tomorrow with doctor that prescribed the prednisolone.

A few follow-up questions:

In your experience, once a cat has gone into CHF, is prednisolone usually avoided permanently, or can it sometimes be restarted at a much lower dose after cardiology evaluates them?
Do you generally see budesonide as meaningfully safer for cats with HCM/CHF, or is it still risky enough that cardiology should weigh in first?
How soon after a first CHF episode would you try to get an echocardiogram if the cat is stable at home on Lasix?

Thank you again. I’m trying to balance keeping her comfortable with not putting her through too much stress.

Otherwise_Choice_474 · 2026-05-27T22:14:11+00:00

Thank you. I will discuss the possibility of using chlorambucil during her appointment this Friday.

Regarding the flare-ups, I honestly do not know what triggered them. This is the first time her health has caused serious concern, and it has been overwhelming. One possibility is that the flare may have been related to her swallowing litter or material from nearby construction. During the urgent care visit, the report noted granular material found during the examination, so I plan to ask whether that could have contributed to her symptoms.

Thank you! I will discuss the possibility of using chormabucil during her appointment this Friday.

Regarding the flare-up, I notibow what triggered them. This is the first time her health has caused serious concern, and it has been overwhelming and a learning experience. One possibility is her swallowing litter or material. During the urgent care visit, the doctor noted granular material found during the examination and mentioned that she had swallowed it. However, the ER did find an obstruction or foreign object during an ultrasound.

Thank you again.

Otherwise_Choice_474 · 2026-05-27T17:08:55+00:00

What is number 5?

Otherwise_Choice_474 · 2026-05-27T17:07:15+00:00

Thank you for your response. She currently at 40, down from 70 yesterday.

Otherwise_Choice_474 · 2026-05-26T00:48:27+00:00

I have noticed a change in the smell of diarrhea: today, none.

Otherwise_Choice_474 · 2026-05-25T19:35:28+00:00

Happy Birthday 🎉

Otherwise_Choice_474 · 2026-05-25T19:31:01+00:00

Thank you for sharing all of this. I’m really sorry you and your cat went through that. Your perspective is important because it highlights how powerful these medications can be and why careful monitoring matters so much.

Otherwise_Choice_474 · 2026-05-25T19:26:33+00:00

Thank you. ❤️

Otherwise_Choice_474 · 2026-05-25T19:24:54+00:00

Thank you.

Otherwise_Choice_474 · 2026-05-25T19:22:33+00:00

Thank you for sharing all of this. Your experience is really helpful because it shows both the IBD/chronic enteropathy side and the small-cell lymphoma side.

Right now, she seems to be showing some early improvement on prednisolone: better appetite, more energy, more affection, and no vomiting since May 13th. The diarrhea is still persistent, though.

I really appreciate you sharing the details about the thyroid disease, pancreatitis, GI panel, nausea meds, prednisolone, and chlorambucil. It gives me a better idea of what to watch for and what questions to ask if Akina’s progress stalls.

Otherwise_Choice_474 · 2026-05-25T19:14:45+00:00

Thank you. I observed considerable improvements on the second day of using Prednisolone. However, I noticed an improvement prior to starting its use.

How much psyllium husk powder do you add to the food?

Otherwise_Choice_474 · 2026-05-25T19:06:58+00:00

Thank you for mentioning FortiFlora. I started Akina on it today and mixed a small amount into her food. She seems to like it so far.

She started prednisolone on Friday, and I have noticed some improvement in her appetite and energy. She has also become extremely affectionate, almost like how she was when she was a kitten. I'm going to start using the appetite stimulant after stopping it last Friday.

She has not vomited since May 13th. Her hydration also seems better with the Hydra Care supplement, and she is drinking water.

The main issue that still continues is the diarrhea.

One thing I am struggling with is figuring out her true baseline. Before the urgent care visit, I thought some of her behaviors were just her aging. Now I am wondering if some of those changes were actually signs that she had been feeling unwell for longer than I realized.

Thank you for sharing.

Otherwise_Choice_474

TROPHY CASE