Gracie Update Wednesday Afternoon

 Gracie last night.

This morning Gracie did not seem to be feeling too well, acting very lethargic and just plain not feeling good, so a few hours after she ate and had her meds I called the Vet. They told me they had gotten her Cytological report back and that I needed to bring her in. I don't know about you, but each time the Doctor has wanted to talk to me about test results in his/her office it is not good news. So it really was with a very heavy heart that I packed Gracie up and took her in. I was worked in so it took awhile before they could get to me. The pressure and stress just rose with the movement of each moment that passed. Thankfully though, all the worry was for nothing, well not nothing, but it was worry over something that isn't going to happen any time soon (I SURE HOPE). The results of the analysis of the report are as follows:

Microscopic Findings:
Modified transudate with a chylous component.
Comment:
Although the fluid is not white in color, there are moderate numbers of of small lymphocytes present supporting a chylous component to the effusion.

No infectious agents or neoplastic cells observed. Differntials to consider for cause of the effusion include cardiovascular disease, compression of vasculature/lymphatic from neoplasia, pulmonary inflammation, diaphragmatic hernia and idiopathic.

Now if you're like me you are scratching you head and saying WHHHAATTT?

Transudate pleural effusion means that fluid is similiar in character the the fluid normally present in the pleural space. The Chylous component is the thing I am having the hardest time understanding. Chyle is a non inflammatory lymphocyte predominant in the fluids that may cause a pleural effusion as a consequence of thoracic duct leakage into the pleural space.

This is all too technical for me.

But it is NOT bad news. The question remains what is causing this and it may be idiopathic. Gracie has an ultrasound scheduled for next Tuesday at 1pm. That should rule out cardiovascular disease and/or mass lesions.

The upshot of all of this is it is probably something we can turn around and deal with. My sweet Gracie won't be greeting her Angel Abby as I was so fearful she would be. Things went from DEF CON 10 to DEF CON 5. Which is a major improvement.

We are still treating her with a steriod, anibiotics and lasix. She still has some fluid in her lung area but it is stable. Her breathing is reflective of that. She is eating and drinking and doing all the other things she should be. She also has lost 1.2 pounds since Sunday. She weighted 8.3lbs on Sunday and today she weighs 7.1lbs. For a small cat, well for any cat that is a lot of weight. So she needs to eat and often, and I'm  going to try and get her to eat as much as I can.

I do know I feel a great weight lifting. There has just been so much happening in a very short period of time, and I'm optimistic now to think there is a light at the end of this tunnel.