I really must find another name for the O'Beast. He's no longer the 20 pound blimpoid I inherited from my mother.
He tests negative for toxoplasmosis. That's the disease that cats commonly carry that can be a danger to pregnant women and immunocompromised people. Since it would be likely that if one of our cats tested positive then all three be positive, this means it is entirely likely that all three of our cats are negative. With a mask, gloves, and smock I should be able to help clean the litter boxes from here on out. I have a suspicion that will make the Socialist more than a little happy.
That was the good news.
The bad news is that his BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and Creatinine are both elevated. (BUN 41 - normal range 17-30; Creatinine 2.8 - normal range .6-2.0) That both are elevated together indicates there is an excellent chance that O'Beast is in the early stages of kidney failure. Coupled with the worsening of his heart condition, this is not a good sign.
I called Big City Veterinary Hospital and made an appointment with cardiology to get the echocardiogram done. The earliest they could schedule me in was Wednesday the 26th. I also need to bring him back to the local vets with a full bladder so they can perform a cystocentesis, which is a procedure to obtain a urine specimen that hasn't been contaminated by the outgoing urinary tract. It won't be pleasant for the O'Beast, but it's quick and will give us some more information to work with.
I am fairly upset at the moment. And the sounds of "Jingle Bell Rock" emanating from next door are not helping any. Excuse me while I wander next door and pull the plug out of the back of the radio.