Feline Moderator Band Cardiomyopathy Use of Rutin and Torsemide and the Need for Increased Potassium

If your cat has Moderator Bands, and/or pleural effusion-which requires constant needle aspiration to withdraw fluid from around the lungs, there are two things you should try: switch from lasix to torsemide. It's stronger, works faster on pleural effusion than lasix and theoretically requires less mg per volume than lasix. Extra potassium is needed as torsemide can deplete potassium and other electrolytes. Potassium is necessary for kidney function. Use Gerber baby food sweet potato (highest food source for potassium) and Tumil-K and Sundown Potassium (or another regular source but we use and like this product.) The other thing is rutin. Ask your vet if white fluid comes out when fluid is withdrawn from around the lungs with the needle. This is lymphatic fluid and can cause scar tissue or fibrosis to form in the lungs, creating pockets for fluid to sit (and impossible to withdraw) and the fibrosis makes breathing painful and difficult. We are using rutin from Whole Foods. We give 750mg daily-divided up over four times a day. We have used this for a month and so far, scar tissue hasn't formed.