Mass/findings in X-ray (heart)

My cat was recently inpatient for 7 days with pancreatitis and hepatic lipidosis. When he was admitted he got 2 x-rays and they're showing some sort of mass/something on his heart. The problem is that because of covid they couldn't be with me in person and explain where and what is it. Now I need to wait until I get another paycheck because I spent all my money treating his pancreatitis and fatty liverand I'm maxing my credit cards to afford food. He's gonna get an Echocardiogram soon, but I'm not sure if it's soon enough. Can someone clarify the findings on the x-ray please? Do you have any thoughts on what this could be? He's male, neutered, 7 years old, used to be overweight before he got sick. He's also a blood donor but he's not donating right now for obvious reasons.

Hello!  I think that you need to make a list of questions and speak to your vet.  You will have paid them a certain of money to take and assess this radiograph for you and part of the deal is that get to understand what it shows and the plan going forward. Vets should be used to people not taking everything in the first time; medical stuff's a) often a shock first time you hear it and b) complex.  Perhaps take a list of questions in, or phone with them eg: 1) exactly what does this radiograph show?  2) how quickly do you want an echo to happen?  3) if we have to hold off for financial reasons, how will it affect things? I'm afraid that when your vet is already as far as having examined and imaged your cat, they are definitely the right people to answer these questions for you.  Never be ashamed of talking about money; vets are very used to the idea that healthcare costs money and that owners have hard decisions to make in this regard.  They are involved in this every day. However, it would be ethically wrong to interpret another vets' radiograph for a cat whose history I don't fully understand and whom I haven't even met, at this time. Best of luck.  Please do let us know how you get on.  

As I said he did have appointments and he has more upcoming appointments. But I'm not allowed inside. I can take information, especially because I'm on my last year of my vet nursing degree. But that doesn't allow me to bypass covid restrictions and unfortunately we don't learn how to read x-rays in college. I just wanted to see exactly where is the finding, and if someone experienced anything like that. My cats vet is also a student, she's also learning and she does not have answers and I have to wait for too long for the appointment.

I'm sorry - I didn't appreciate that you are a nurse!  Didn't mean to patronise you by explaining the ethical dilemma associated with reading someone else's radiographs;  you must already be use to this. I'm surprised that explaining an x-ray is seen as breeching Covid restrictions at the current time, but neither do most owners learn to read radiographs in college, so you won't be alone.  Hopefully your vet can therefore agree to setting up a facetime or similar if they are unable to point to the radiograph in person. Student vets work under direct supervision and I'm sure that she will not be offended at being asked to get someone else to explain if she is unable to tell you what you need. Best of luck in getting the answers you seek.

I'm sorry - I didn't appreciate that you are a nurse!  Didn't mean to patronise you by explaining the ethical dilemma associated with reading someone else's radiographs;  you must already be use to this. I'm surprised that explaining an x-ray is seen as breeching Covid restrictions at the current time, but neither do most owners learn to read radiographs in college, so you won't be alone.  Hopefully your vet can therefore agree to setting up a facetime or similar if they are unable to point to the radiograph in person. Student vets work under direct supervision and I'm sure that she will not be offended at being asked to get someone else to explain if she is unable to tell you what you need. Best of luck in getting the answers you seek.