Poor Zen had a bad weekend

[Ginger]

My friends cat Zen was feeling a bit under the weather on friday but nothing to worry about, yesturday afternoon my friend came home to find Zen in a real state and phoned me to give her a lift to the vet (emergency vet as it was Sunday) when we got there he was already in his box ready to go.

The poor cat was really gasping for every breath, it sounded like he had something blocking his airway, he was limp in his box and drooling too, that 10 minute drive to the vet was hell, I've never seen any cat this sick before and was just hoping we made it to the vets before he died, the vet was already there when we arrived and wasn't sure if it was a blockage or pnemonia (sp?) or what but he needed operating on to find out, the vet stressed that a cat in the state he was in did not have a good chance but there is no choice, he would stand no chance at all to leave him like that.

Thankfully he made it through the operation, there was a blockage but they couldn't get it up and they couldn't fit the smallest breathing tube down without force, the vet says its amazing he could breathe at all, they did xrays but can't see anything in his lungs.

They put him under anesthetic again today to find out what it was and found he has lumps (can't remember the proper name) growing in his throat, which may or may not be cancerous, they must have broken one off trying to get the airway clear yesturday. Zen had a throat problem last year and was examined and there was no sign of them then so the vet thinks they could grow back fast again
The vet says they think his lungs might now have fluid in them too because his breathing isn't right, my friend has gone to see him now and will keep me updated.
If he gets though this next week they want to test to see if its cancer, if it isn't he might still have more growing lumps and end up in the same state but they don't know yet we have to wait and see.

I've never been so upset about somebody elses cat, but to see him in that state was a real shock! I really hope he pulls through, they said he could be home tommorrow night and might need watching over closely for 2/3 days, my friend can't take any more time off work so I've said I will do it if thats what he needs.

I will keep you updated

[Bente]

Poor Zen, sounds like he had a really tough time... I hope he pulls trough and that the lumps aren't cancerous. Wish him good luck from me.

[vene]

Poor little Zen. Sending positive thoughts for Zen and his family.

[Ginger]

Well its still not looking good he was breathing ok until yesturday, the vet thinks the lump (polyp?) that she disloged on sunday is still attatched and it somehow blocked his throat again, but it moved again last night and now he is breathing ok again (other than the fluid in his lung) . He needs another operation to remove the lump, the vet thinks its grown more since Sunday so its really not looking good, I think there was something said about a specialist in throat surgery is being looked into too.
Its a good job my friend has him insured, the vet bill is already hundreds of £ !

[Ginger]

RIP Zen - The blockage came back and my friend didn't want him to suffer anymore he was put to sleep this morning - poor boy

[vene]

My condolences to Zen's family. He is finally free from pain and suffering. Thank you Ginger for the updates.