Question:

Great info!  I guess ICM is another term for RCM according to what I’ve read on the web.  He’s had x-rays, mri, ultrasound-been seen by a cardiologist. He’s had better care than a lot of people!  How do you administer the drugs? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dave— We’re *very* sorry to hear that. We had some experience with it this year — a bit more than we would have liked. A lot depends on what your vet sees and says. The 3 mains types are hypertrophic, restrictive, or dilated — so I’m not sure what your vet meant (but I’m not a DVM!). If you want to read up, Jonathan Abbott, Small Animal Cardiology Secrets is for vets, but not too technical for us non-specialists.ISBN 1-56053-352-8 — cost 40something $, but worth every penny of it. I’d say, if your vet wants more tests, by all means. Especially an echo cardiogram, which a specialist usually does. If your vet doesn’t mention an echo, ask! Someone’s website referred to CM as "cruelly capricious." It can be placid and easy to manage, or a wild ride — we experienced both. I think the thing to keep in mind is that things can happen very abruptly — this is *not* to sound Grim Reaper, but it *is* to say — be psychologically prepared in case you do get something abrupt. The key thing to watch, in them all, is breathing. Mouth breathing is a problem regardless. And also breaths per minute — our cardiologist had us counting — we aimed for below 40/minute when asleep, ideally 36 or lower. We were able to manage things for quite some time with lasix (diuretic, removes fluids, hence eases breathing) and a vaso-dilator (reduces strain o heart). This was for restrictive CM, which is the least understood. Hope this helps — feel free to ask more precise questions! %%robert My 4 year old male tabby Riff has been diagnosed with intermediate cardio myopathy.  He was at the vet two weeks ago for a physical.  All was well.  Tuesday, he threw up and was breathing hard.  He’s been at the vet since.  Anyone have information on this disease?  He’s a good boy and I’m very bummed. (:-( —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

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My 4 year old male tabby Riff has been diagnosed with intermediate cardio myopathy.  He was at the vet two weeks ago for a physical.  All was well.  Tuesday, he threw up and was breathing hard.  He’s been at the vet since.  Anyone have information on this disease?  He’s a good boy and I’m very bummed. (:-(

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My 4 year old male tabby Riff has been diagnosed with intermediate cardio myopathy.  He was at the vet two weeks ago for a physical.  All was well.  Tuesday, he threw up and was breathing hard.  He’s been at the vet since.  Anyone have information on this disease?  He’s a good boy and I’m very bummed. (:-(

Click on the link below, then go to the "Just for Cats" page.  You’ll find some links to good sites on cardiomyopathy there. — The Special-Needs Pets Web Site http://www.specialneedspets.org

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Dave— We’re *very* sorry to hear that. We had some experience with it this year — a bit more than we would have liked. A lot depends on what your vet sees and says. The 3 mains types are hypertrophic, restrictive, or dilated — so I’m not sure what your vet meant (but I’m not a DVM!). If you want to read up, Jonathan Abbott, Small Animal Cardiology Secrets is for vets, but not too technical for us non-specialists.ISBN 1-56053-352-8 — cost 40something $, but worth every penny of it. I’d say, if your vet wants more tests, by all means. Especially an echo cardiogram, which a specialist usually does. If your vet doesn’t mention an echo, ask! Someone’s website referred to CM as "cruelly capricious." It can be placid and easy to manage, or a wild ride — we experienced both. I think the thing to keep in mind is that things can happen very abruptly — this is *not* to sound Grim Reaper, but it *is* to say — be psychologically prepared in case you do get something abrupt. The key thing to watch, in them all, is breathing. Mouth breathing is a problem regardless. And also breaths per minute — our cardiologist had us counting — we aimed for below 40/minute when asleep, ideally 36 or lower. We were able to manage things for quite some time with lasix (diuretic, removes fluids, hence eases breathing) and a vaso-dilator (reduces strain o heart). This was for restrictive CM, which is the least understood. Hope this helps — feel free to ask more precise questions! %%robert My 4 year old male tabby Riff has been diagnosed with intermediate cardio myopathy.  He was at the vet two weeks ago for a physical.  All was well.  Tuesday, he threw up and was breathing hard.  He’s been at the vet since.  Anyone have information on this disease?  He’s a good boy and I’m very bummed. (:-(

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There are a couple ways you can encourage your kitty to eat.  These have worked for my cats. * Try warming the food up a little.  I found that putting the food in the microwave for 30 seconds on medium or medium-high usually did the trick. * Add a little low-sodium chicken broth to the food, that will add both flavor and moisture to keep your kitty hydrated.  The best one is Hain no-sodium-added chicken broth, available at most health food stores and all-natural grocery stores.  If that’s not an option then the best grocery store kind I’ve found is Campbell’s Healthy Request low-sodium chicken broth. * Sit with your kitty and gently pet her while she eats.  Croon sweet nothings into her ear… sounds silly, but it helps! I feel a kind of kinship with you… my Jasmine is also a calico girl, about 4 years old, and 6.2 lbs.  :)  They could almost be twins!  :) Good luck to you and your kitty!  Please keep us posted!  :) -Valerie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – She is 5 years old, spayed, is almost 7 lbs, a calico,  has been sick only once a few years ago when she had a bout with FUS. So what I am looking for is someone who might have had similar experiences and has the patience to offer advice to a finicky cat person and a finckier cat.

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Hi I’m new here, was recommeded by some friends over at another ng. and I have what may be a sick cat. She is 5 years old, spayed, is almost 7 lbs, a calico,  has been sick only once a few years ago when she had a bout with FUS. She’s been off her food for about a week and 1/2  ( she never eats very much at all to begin with) and a few days ago was eating practically nothing and not going to the litter box at all . I dont know if she was peeing anywhere else in the house but I doubt it ( I guess it’s really hard to know unless you step in it. ) So, Sunday having been warned by my catty friends that cats can die when they dont visit the litter box regularly ( ok folks I am trying to be delicate here) I dragged her to the vet. (Try and find a vet on a Sunday !). They examined her, found no blockages ( they said) in fact they said her bladder was empty. She had a very slight fever. They injected liguid subcutaneously ( yuck!) so she doesnt get dehydrated, took her blood and sent us home with some Hill’s Prescription Diet which they swore even finicky cats ate, some antihistamine which they said would stimulate her appetite if necessary. So when we got home after not having eaten all day she slurped up almost 1/5 of the can, eventually peed a little and had a little squiggly poop. This morning she ate nothing and when the vet called and told us that the blood came back OK she  advised me that if she stopped eating again to use the anti histamine and if that didnt work to bring her in and be taught how to force feed her. So, tonight she didnt eat again, she did pee a little, I tried to give her the pill and have scratched and tattered arms, legs, tshirt and sweat pants for my trouble and I dont have any idea if she swallowed the pill or spit it out somewhere. Just now ( midnight) she ate another 1/5 of a can so I feel kinda silly writing this but I figure that by tomorrow we’ll be back to square one anyway . I dont know if she ate just now because of the pill or because she is oK. I’m really a pain in the neck as I eschew Western medicine,  synthetic medication, most of the cat foods on the market and have as my bible Anitra Frazier’s The New Natural Cat so please be patient with me. (The problem is that Anitra is not here to consult when her advice doesnt pan out and I havent found a holistic vet yet. ([if anyone lives in NYCity and knows of one please yell] ) So what I am looking for is someone who might have had similar experiences and has the patience to offer advice to a finicky cat person and a finckier cat. thanks in advance. Barbara

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Oh – do I feel for you!! I just went through the *WILL NOT EAT* strike with my baby Truffle – who is a 1 year old tortie girl.  (What is it with these tri-colored cats!)  She HAS to be the finickiest eater on the face of this planet.  She regularly goes on hunger strikes for no apparent reason.  She’s been fully checked out by the vet – and NOTHING abnormal has been detected. The last time she went on a hunger strike (she had been on Nutro canned food), she refused to eat for 5 days.  She went to the vet, was pretty much given the same regimen your cat was given (but no sub-q fluids as she was not dehydrated, amazingly enough!).  You see, she WANTED to eat – and regularly drank water – but refused to eat what was out.  I tried NINE different flavours!!!!  I brought her home with a prescription for Periactin (an antihistamin which enhances appetite), a couple of antibiotics, and some ear drops for a yeast infection.  The vet also set me up with a few cans of Hills a/d food (works GREAT for finicky eaters, but it is NOT a balanced diet, so it can only be used temporarily). After two cans of the Hills, and two days on her meds, she miraculously started eating the dry food I put out for the other two kitties.  I say miraculously – because up to that point, she REFUSED all dry food.  It’s like she totally decided she was changing her diet completely….it still amazes me.  She eats well now (until her next hunger strike), and has put on some weight.  (From a skeletal 5.7 pounds to a whopping – for her – 6.6 pounds – whoohooo!) Good luck with kitty.  Try some different foods.  The Hills a/d does work miracles though….this is the SECOND time I’ve had cats miraculously start eating when given that stuff!!!   Marlene "One cat just leads to another." – Ernest Hemingway http://members.home.net/sassy34/HomePage.htm – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi I’m new here, was recommeded by some friends over at another ng. and I have what may be a sick cat. She is 5 years old, spayed, is almost 7 lbs, a calico,  has been sick only once a few years ago when she had a bout with FUS. She’s been off her food for about a week and 1/2  ( she never eats very much at all to begin with) and a few days ago was eating practically nothing and not going to the litter box at all . I dont know if she was peeing anywhere else in the house but I doubt it ( I guess it’s really hard to know unless you step in it. ) So, Sunday having been warned by my catty friends that cats can die when they dont visit the litter box regularly ( ok folks I am trying to be delicate here) I dragged her to the vet. (Try and find a vet on a Sunday !). They examined her, found no blockages ( they said) in fact they said her bladder was empty. She had a very slight fever. They injected liguid subcutaneously ( yuck!) so she doesnt get dehydrated, took her blood and sent us home with some Hill’s Prescription Diet which they swore even finicky cats ate, some antihistamine which they said would stimulate her appetite if necessary. So when we got home after not having eaten all day she slurped up almost 1/5 of the can, eventually peed a little and had a little squiggly poop. This morning she ate nothing and when the vet called and told us that the blood came back OK she  advised me that if she stopped eating again to use the anti histamine and if that didnt work to bring her in and be taught how to force feed her. So, tonight she didnt eat again, she did pee a little, I tried to give her the pill and have scratched and tattered arms, legs, tshirt and sweat pants for my trouble and I dont have any idea if she swallowed the pill or spit it out somewhere. Just now ( midnight) she ate another 1/5 of a can so I feel kinda silly writing this but I figure that by tomorrow we’ll be back to square one anyway . I dont know if she ate just now because of the pill or because she is oK. I’m really a pain in the neck as I eschew Western medicine,  synthetic medication, most of the cat foods on the market and have as my bible Anitra Frazier’s The New Natural Cat so please be patient with me. (The problem is that Anitra is not here to consult when her advice doesnt pan out and I havent found a holistic vet yet. ([if anyone lives in NYCity and knows of one please yell] ) So what I am looking for is someone who might have had similar experiences and has the patience to offer advice to a finicky cat person and a finckier cat. thanks in advance. Barbara

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I have a new kitty, Tinkerbell,she was the runt and is still very tiny. She got sick shortly after birth and we had to feed her with a bottle to get her to eat. All seemed to be going well,  until yesterday. She had finally started to ear regular kitten food and was occasionally drinking water. She is now apx 10 wks old. Yesterday I noticed she was being lethargic and meowing everytime she was touched. Thought it might be constipation from not drinking enough water,so gave water via eye dropper. She is worse tonight. Breathing is labored and shaky and she does nothing but lie down. Has anyone had a similar problem? Help please. Debi & Tinkerbell ^..^

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Debi, Please take your kitty to the vet ASAP. Lethargy is not a good sign, and meowing often indicates that your cat is in pain. I don’t think anyone can give you a proper diagnosis from a NG. Best of luck to you and to tinkerbell. Janene – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a new kitty, Tinkerbell,she was the runt and is still very tiny. She got sick shortly after birth and we had to feed her with a bottle to get her to eat. All seemed to be going well,  until yesterday. She had finally started to ear regular kitten food and was occasionally drinking water. She is now apx 10 wks old. Yesterday I noticed she was being lethargic and meowing everytime she was touched. Thought it might be constipation from not drinking enough water,so gave water via eye dropper. She is worse tonight. Breathing is labored and shaky and she does nothing but lie down. Has anyone had a similar problem? Help please. Debi & Tinkerbell ^..^

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From the sounds of it you need to get Tinkerbell to the vet, it is possible she was exposed to an upper respiratory infection and she would need to be placed on anitbiotics to clear it up.  Kittens are very susceptable to URI’s especially if they are not recieving maternal antiboties. — I wish you well, Zarifra Silver and grey snow leopard, purring from the corner. Owner/Property of the monitor sitting, cursor chasing bengals http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Andes/4561

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I am afraid this doesn’t sound too good.  The best hope is that it is a horrible hairball which can be ejected by getting the cat to emit it with something horrible enough to make the cat  vomit violently, there are various ideas… virtually anything horrible has been tried as an emetic.  Try raw egg with a little bit of chilli as a first approximation, but make sure the cat has lots of water available… at least it won’t do much damage to the poor animal then. Cats don’t like surgery, they forgive you eventually but they have long memories. Our animal behaviourists at UWA tell me I must be imagining the fact that my cat can remember whether she has 12, 11,… or fewer cans of cat food and throws a violent tantrum when it hits zero.  Nevertheless, she does, and you can see her head moving as she counts them, and she often opens the cupboard door to count them.  Even now that she is old and not really interested in eating… someone should come up with a can of cat food sauce without the annoying solid stuff. My Siamese cat Mu would be very happy. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Greetings group, I’m hoping someone may be able to help a co-worker of mine. He called me today, frantic about his domestic shorthair cat.  She is 2 years old and has had a chronic cough all her life.  He’s been very concerned throughout, taking her to many different vets when her symptoms occur but with varying results.  Some had her on antibiotics, and the cough did temporarily subside then again came back.  Other vets claimed it was ‘hairballs’ and had him administer pepto bismol!  Now apparently Friday night when he came back from work she haden’t eaten and was very weak.  He rushed her to a clinic and they ran all the blood tests and they came back clear.  They then suggested the only recourse was to scope her throat, but that it may now show anything.  They also mentioned that no clinic in London had that type of equipment so he’d have to take her to Guelph.  He has spent thousands of dollars in the last couple years, and money is not an issue for him, but he is concerned to put her through this surgery and perhaps suffering, with no definate chance of improving her life. Has anyone had similar experience, had this type of surgery, or even heard of the symtoms and to what it may be associated with?  I really hate to be a bother about this, but he is a very nice person and loves his cat Coco dearly, she’s his only company at home.  He’d be extremely grateful. Thanks everyone

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I’m very, very sorry to hear about your cat as well.  It’s amazing how even family members can be even though they do care, but are too stubborn to take proper advice.  I hope your kitty has plenty of treats, a lot of petting, and a soft lap to make his life a little happier while he’s in this world. Although I’m not a religous person, I do like to believe in the fabled ‘Rainbow Bridge’, and one day when I cross it, I plan on meeting all my wonderful friends I’ve loved and lost. Sincerely, Alexandra

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Tracy, Thanks for your concern.  I did read all the CRF websites when my cat was diagnosed last October, but it’s been hard to have him cared for properly, as he’s with my parents (his living with me at school is not an option) and my dad has a "unless I am dying I will not do anything differently" attitude about taking care of health.  So no, he did not get subQ’d, nor was his diet any different really– I think part of it may have been denial– by not taking special care of him, my dad could tell himself that the cat was still fine. Anyways, when I last visited home, I saw that the cat had wasted down to 7 lbs (10 when diagnosed, 13 when healthy) and was barely eating, and I told my dad that the cat was dying and didn’t have long to live.  I gave him one subQ, and showed my parents how to do it.  I explained to them that 100-150 ml a day is about right.  Later on my dad was telling me that he was doing 30 ml a day, because he thinks that 30 is plenty.  I

told him, "no no no, – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – medically you need to give him more than 30."  After much grumbling my dad said my cat would get 2 30 ml injections a day and that’s enough. Sad to say, this is the way that a lot of people are.  "Just because you are doctor does not mean that you know more about taking care of my health than I do.  I will do things as I see fit." I think he may hang in there 1-2 more months, but his condition is so poor that I don’t think that realistically he is capable of much improvement by this point. Poor cat… I still remember back to the summer of ‘87 when we kidnapped him as a homeless 1-month kitten born to a stray across the street, and brought him home so that he could come live with us.  Yep, those were the good old days. –John (Harvard/Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Internal Medicine 6/2001-6/2004) I am so sorry your cat has chronic renal failure.  There is a website on chronic renal failure for cats that I have heard is very good.  People there might have some suggestions for you.  Are you feeding him the special diet – I fed mine Science Diet K/D when I had a cat with this. He lived to be 18, a good long life.  I am assuming with your medical background that you are giving him subcutaneous injections to rehydrate him?

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Hi Tracy,

Thanks for your concern.  I did read all the CRF websites when my cat was diagnosed last October, but it’s been hard to have him cared for properly, as he’s with my parents (his living with me at school is not an option) and my dad has a "unless I am dying I will not do anything differently" attitude about taking care of health.  So no, he did not get subQ’d, nor was his diet any different really– I think part of it may have been denial– by not taking special care of him, my dad could tell himself that the cat was still fine. Anyways, when I last visited home, I saw that the cat had wasted down to 7 lbs (10 when diagnosed, 13 when healthy) and was barely eating, and I told my dad that the cat was dying and didn’t have long to live.  I gave him one subQ, and showed my parents how to do it.  I explained to them that 100-150 ml a day is about right.  Later on my dad was telling me that he was doing 30 ml a day, because he thinks that 30 is plenty.  I told him, "no no no, medically you need to give him more than 30."  After much grumbling my dad said my cat would get 2 30 ml injections a day and that’s enough. Sad to say, this is the way that a lot of people are.  "Just because you are doctor does not mean that you know more about taking care of my health than I do.  I will do things as I see fit." I think he may hang in there 1-2 more months, but his condition is so poor that I don’t think that realistically he is capable of much improvement by this point. Poor cat… I still remember back to the summer of ‘87 when we kidnapped him as a homeless 1-month kitten born to a stray across the street, and brought him home so that he could come live with us.  Yep, those were the good old days. –John (Harvard/Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Internal Medicine 6/2001-6/2004) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am so sorry your cat has chronic renal failure.  There is a website on chronic renal failure for cats that I have heard is very good.  People there might have some suggestions for you.  Are you feeding him the special diet – I fed mine Science Diet K/D when I had a cat with this. He lived to be 18, a good long life.  I am assuming with your medical background that you are giving him subcutaneous injections to rehydrate him?

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Hi Tracy, Good question– I don’t know… almost all the medically related stuff I know (aside from what I know about my poor cat with chronic renal failure, who I don’t think will make it to his 14th birthday in a few months) pertains to human health.  I don’t know if cats can get TB or not.  TB is a very common cause of chronic cough in humans, though. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can cats get tuberculosis?  Thanks. Tracy

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Can cats get tuberculosis?  Thanks. Tracy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, If it were a person with a chronic cough, then I’d try to make sure that the following tests were done: 1. chest X-ray:  chronic cough could be a sign of a heart problem that shows up on x-ray. 2. tuberculosis can cause chronic cough:  signs of TB may be visible on chest X-ray.  There are antibiotics that can treat and cure TB. 3. using a camera to look into the throat and stomach sounds like a good idea. I’d consider looking in the stomach, since things like an active stomach ulcer or reflux/excess stomach acid could cause a chronic cough. 4. regarding antibiotics, some infectious agents can cause chronic cough.  In a person I’d try using a course of erythromycin in case it’s mycoplasm pneumoniae that is causing the caugh. Hope this helps, John M.D., 5/2001 Greetings group, I’m hoping someone may be able to help a co-worker of mine. He called me today, frantic about his domestic shorthair cat.  She is 2 years old and has had a chronic cough all her life.  He’s been very concerned throughout, taking her to many different vets when her symptoms occur but with varying results.  Some had her on antibiotics, and the cough did temporarily subside then again came back.  Other vets claimed it was ‘hairballs’ and had him administer pepto bismol!  Now apparently Friday night when he came back from work she haden’t eaten and was very weak.  He rushed her to a clinic and they ran all the blood tests and they came back clear.  They then suggested the only recourse was to scope her throat, but that it may now show anything.  They also mentioned that no clinic in London had that type of equipment so he’d have to take her to Guelph.  He has spent thousands of dollars in the last couple years, and money is not an issue for him, but he is concerned to put her through this surgery and perhaps suffering, with no definate chance of improving her life. Has anyone had similar experience, had this type of surgery, or even heard of the symtoms and to what it may be associated with?  I really hate to be a bother about this, but he is a very nice person and loves his cat Coco dearly, she’s his only company at home.  He’d be extremely grateful. Thanks everyone

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John, I am so sorry your cat has chronic renal failure.  There is a website on chronic renal failure for cats that I have heard is very good.  People there might have some suggestions for you.  Are you feeding him the special diet – I fed mine Science Diet K/D when I had a cat with this. He lived to be 18, a good long life.  I am assuming with your medical background that you are giving him subcutaneous injections to rehydrate him?   Good luck, and maybe someone here would post the URL for that website if you posted a request for it. Tracy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Tracy, Good question– I don’t know… almost all the medically related stuff I know (aside from what I know about my poor cat with chronic renal failure, who I don’t think will make it to his 14th birthday in a few months) pertains to human health.  I don’t know if cats can get TB or not.  TB is a very common cause of chronic cough in humans, though. Can cats get tuberculosis?  Thanks. Tracy

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Greetings group, I’m hoping someone may be able to help a co-worker of mine. He called me today, frantic about his domestic shorthair cat.  She is 2 years old and has had a chronic cough all her life.  He’s been very concerned throughout, taking her to many different vets when her symptoms occur but with varying results.  Some had her on antibiotics, and the cough did temporarily subside then again came back.  Other vets claimed it was ‘hairballs’ and had him administer pepto bismol!  Now apparently Friday night when he came back from work she haden’t eaten and was very weak.  He rushed her to a clinic and they ran all the blood tests and they came back clear.  They then suggested the only recourse was to scope her throat, but that it may now show anything.  They also mentioned that no clinic in London had that type of equipment so he’d have to take her to Guelph.  He has spent thousands of dollars in the last couple years, and money is not an issue for him, but he is concerned to put her through this surgery and perhaps suffering, with no definate chance of improving her life. Has anyone had similar experience, had this type of surgery, or even heard of the symtoms and to what it may be associated with?  I really hate to be a bother about this, but he is a very nice person and loves his cat Coco dearly, she’s his only company at home.  He’d be extremely grateful. Thanks everyone

I have heard such symptoms of these related to heart problems. Has that been checked??? Karen

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Greetings group, I’m hoping someone may be able to help a co-worker of mine. He called me today, frantic about his domestic shorthair cat.  She is 2 years old and has had a chronic cough all her life.  He’s been very concerned throughout, taking her to many different vets when her symptoms occur but with varying results.

A cough in a young animal could be a symptom of many diseases, including congenital heart disease, heartworm disease or simply cat asthma.  I would recommend chest x-rays and ultrasonography – ideally, an echocardiogram, as well as heartworm testing for heartworm antigen and antibodies (HWAg and HWAb). Tests that detect circulating antibodies to immature and adult heartworm antigen are the most sensitive tests for feline heartworm disease. However, tests that detect circulating  heartworm antigen are more specific than antibody tests; a positive antigen test result is strong evidence of heartworm disease although a low worm burden can result in a false negative result.  That’s why its best to get both tests. Heartworm disease cannot be ruled out on the basis of season; heartworms can take months to years to grow.  Indoor cats are also at risk. If all these tests are negative, the next step would be a Trans-Tracheal Aspiration Biopsy (TTAB).  Although its called a "biopsy", cutting is usually not necessary.  The trans-tracheal aspiration biopsy is actually a technique to produce a sample of the cells and/or other material inside the lungs and windpipes.  A catheter is placed down a tracheal and down into the lungs. A small amount of saline solution is flushed into the lungs and quickly suctioned back into a syringe.  The fluid can then be analyzed using cytologic techniques, providing valuable information about conditions of the respiratory system.  If you’re not making any progress with your current vet, I would seek a second opinion if I were you.  I suggest you contact the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) at (800) 245-9081 or E-mail: or American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) 530 Church Street, Suite 700, Nashville, Tennessee 37219 and ask for a referral to a specialist/Diplomate in your area. Good luck. Phil. — "It always gives me a shiver when I see a cat      seeing what I can’t" –Eleanor Farjeon   Feline Healthcare: http://maxshouse.com Some had her on antibiotics, and the cough – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – did temporarily subside then again came back.  Other vets claimed it was ‘hairballs’ and had him administer pepto bismol!  Now apparently Friday night when he came back from work she haden’t eaten and was very weak.  He rushed her to a clinic and they ran all the blood tests and they came back clear.  They then suggested the only recourse was to scope her throat, but that it may now show anything.  They also mentioned that no clinic in London had that type of equipment so he’d have to take her to Guelph.  He has spent thousands of dollars in the last couple years, and money is not an issue for him, but he is concerned to put her through this surgery and perhaps suffering, with no definate chance of improving her life. Has anyone had similar experience, had this type of surgery, or even heard of the symtoms and to what it may be associated with?  I really hate to be a bother about this, but he is a very nice person and loves his cat Coco dearly, she’s his only company at home.  He’d be extremely grateful. Thanks everyone

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Greetings group, I’m hoping someone may be able to help a co-worker of mine. He called me today, frantic about his domestic shorthair cat.  She is 2 years old and has had a chronic cough all her life.  He’s been very concerned throughout, taking her to many different vets when her symptoms occur but with varying results.  Some had her on antibiotics, and the cough did temporarily subside then again came back.  Other vets claimed it was ‘hairballs’ and had him administer pepto bismol!  Now apparently Friday night when he came back from work she haden’t eaten and was very weak.  He rushed her to a clinic and they ran all the blood tests and they came back clear.  They then suggested the only recourse was to scope her throat, but that it may now show anything.  They also mentioned that no clinic in London had that type of equipment so he’d have to take her to Guelph.  He has spent thousands of dollars in the last couple years, and money is not an issue for him, but he is concerned to put her through this surgery and perhaps suffering, with no definate chance of improving her life. Has anyone had similar experience, had this type of surgery, or even heard of the symtoms and to what it may be associated with?  I really hate to be a bother about this, but he is a very nice person and loves his cat Coco dearly, she’s his only company at home.  He’d be extremely grateful. Thanks everyone

Response:

If they are talking about scoping her throat, I believe they are talking about sticking an instrument down her throat to see what it looks like.  It is not major surgery.  I believe they use a laproscope or something.  It is a lot more safe then cutting her open to see what is wrong.  They can look all the way down into her stomach.  I would want that done before any surgery to see what is wrong.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Greetings group, I’m hoping someone may be able to help a co-worker of mine. He called me today, frantic about his domestic shorthair cat.  She is 2 years old and has had a chronic cough all her life.  He’s been very concerned throughout, taking her to many different vets when her symptoms occur but with varying results.  Some had her on antibiotics, and the cough did temporarily subside then again came back.  Other vets claimed it was ‘hairballs’ and had him administer pepto bismol!  Now apparently Friday night when he came back from work she haden’t eaten and was very weak.  He rushed her to a clinic and they ran all the blood tests and they came back clear.  They then suggested the only recourse was to scope her throat, but that it may now show anything.  They also mentioned that no clinic in London had that type of equipment so he’d have to take her to Guelph.  He has spent thousands of dollars in the last couple years, and money is not an issue for him, but he is concerned to put her through this surgery and perhaps suffering, with no definate chance of improving her life. Has anyone had similar experience, had this type of surgery, or even heard of the symtoms and to what it may be associated with?  I really hate to be a bother about this, but he is a very nice person and loves his cat Coco dearly, she’s his only company at home.  He’d be extremely grateful. Thanks everyone

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Hi, If it were a person with a chronic cough, then I’d try to make sure that the following tests were done: 1. chest X-ray:  chronic cough could be a sign of a heart problem that shows up on x-ray. 2. tuberculosis can cause chronic cough:  signs of TB may be visible on chest X-ray.  There are antibiotics that can treat and cure TB. 3. using a camera to look into the throat and stomach sounds like a good idea. I’d consider looking in the stomach, since things like an active stomach ulcer or reflux/excess stomach acid could cause a chronic cough. 4. regarding antibiotics, some infectious agents can cause chronic cough.  In a person I’d try using a course of erythromycin in case it’s mycoplasm pneumoniae that is causing the caugh. Hope this helps, John M.D., 5/2001 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Greetings group, I’m hoping someone may be able to help a co-worker of mine. He called me today, frantic about his domestic shorthair cat.  She is 2 years old and has had a chronic cough all her life.  He’s been very concerned throughout, taking her to many different vets when her symptoms occur but with varying results.  Some had her on antibiotics, and the cough did temporarily subside then again came back.  Other vets claimed it was ‘hairballs’ and had him administer pepto bismol!  Now apparently Friday night when he came back from work she haden’t eaten and was very weak.  He rushed her to a clinic and they ran all the blood tests and they came back clear.  They then suggested the only recourse was to scope her throat, but that it may now show anything.  They also mentioned that no clinic in London had that type of equipment so he’d have to take her to Guelph.  He has spent thousands of dollars in the last couple years, and money is not an issue for him, but he is concerned to put her through this surgery and perhaps suffering, with no definate chance of improving her life. Has anyone had similar experience, had this type of surgery, or even heard of the symtoms and to what it may be associated with?  I really hate to be a bother about this, but he is a very nice person and loves his cat Coco dearly, she’s his only company at home.  He’d be extremely grateful. Thanks everyone

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<BR My beautiful sweet baby girl died tonight.

Dear Nicole,      I am so sorry at the loss of your dear kitty, Xena.  Please accept my deepest condolences.  It is so hard to lose our beloved kitties and yes, she sounds like she had such a loving owner who will miss her greatly. Sincerely, Athene

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Nicole My maggie had a nasty eye infection but it diagnosed as uper respitury infection(uri) So the vet prescribed her Cefa drops for the mouth and in about ten days she was ok but I have no idea but however I hope only the best for Xena. Please let me know the outcome,    Gina

My beautiful sweet baby girl died tonight.  I came home from work to find her breathing funny, rapidly and shallowly through her nose.  I rushed her to the emergency room.  They X-rayed her to find her kidney was absolutely huge ~ it had swelled to five times its normal size, most of that in the course of the day.  (The vet is perplexed and tells me the kidney is a solid mass, and whatever it was it was spreading to her other kidney and her heart as well.)  Her lungs were filled with fluid, and when they tried to insert a trach tube, she began to vomit and went into cardiac arrest. Rest in peace, my beloved Xena….  You were well loved during your all too short life. nicole —— http://www.harkenwood.org/~kaji

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Nicole My maggie had a nasty eye infection but it diagnosed as uper respitury infection(uri) So the vet prescribed her Cefa drops for the mouth and in about ten days she was ok but I have no idea but however I hope only the best for Xena. Please let me know the outcome,    Gina

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My baby girl, Xena (Warrior Kitten!), is sick, and I was wondering if anyone may recognize her symptoms. About two weeks ago I noticed one of her eyes was clouded over.  I took her to the vet the next day, and they gave me antibiotics to give her. The vet noted that Xena’s kidneys were "twice the size they should be" (her last exam had been in August and nothing strange was noted then) and expressed concerns about cancer and leukemia.  I had her tested for Feline Leukemia and she was thankfully negative. I gave Xena the pills faithfully (much to her chagrin).  The white cloudiness in her left eye began to fade, as did a reddish cloud that started to appear in her right eye.  I took her to the vet again for blood tests to further investigate her overly large kidneys, and the results came back today ~ her blood was fine, nothing out of the ordinary.  I had run out of antibiotics and Xena’s eyes began to cloud over again, so the vet gave me another 10 day supply and told me to keep a close eye on her for any other symptoms. I am puzzled and worried.  Xena’s appetite seems fine.  Her energy has been a bit low lately, but I think that is due to stress.  She’s almost two, spayed, and is strictly indoors, as is her brother, Tristan. Anyone have any ideas?  Does my Xena just have big kidneys and a nasty eye infection?  Has anyone experienced anything similar? nicole

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Great info!  I guess ICM is another term for RCM according to what I’ve read on the web.  He’s had x-rays, mri, ultrasound-been seen by a cardiologist. He’s had better care than a lot of people!  How do you administer the drugs? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dave— We’re *very* sorry to hear that. We had some experience with it this year — a bit more than we would have liked. A lot depends on what your vet sees and says. The 3 mains types are hypertrophic, restrictive, or dilated — so I’m not sure what your vet meant (but I’m not a DVM!). If you want to read up, Jonathan Abbott, Small Animal Cardiology Secrets is for vets, but not too technical for us non-specialists.ISBN 1-56053-352-8 — cost 40something $, but worth every penny of it. I’d say, if your vet wants more tests, by all means. Especially an echo cardiogram, which a specialist usually does. If your vet doesn’t mention an echo, ask! Someone’s website referred to CM as "cruelly capricious." It can be placid and easy to manage, or a wild ride — we experienced both. I think the thing to keep in mind is that things can happen very abruptly — this is *not* to sound Grim Reaper, but it *is* to say — be psychologically prepared in case you do get something abrupt. The key thing to watch, in them all, is breathing. Mouth breathing is a problem regardless. And also breaths per minute — our cardiologist had us counting — we aimed for below 40/minute when asleep, ideally 36 or lower. We were able to manage things for quite some time with lasix (diuretic, removes fluids, hence eases breathing) and a vaso-dilator (reduces strain o heart). This was for restrictive CM, which is the least understood. Hope this helps — feel free to ask more precise questions! %%robert My 4 year old male tabby Riff has been diagnosed with intermediate cardio myopathy.  He was at the vet two weeks ago for a physical.  All was well.  Tuesday, he threw up and was breathing hard.  He’s been at the vet since.  Anyone have information on this disease?  He’s a good boy and I’m very bummed. (:-( —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

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My 4 year old male tabby Riff has been diagnosed with intermediate cardio myopathy.  He was at the vet two weeks ago for a physical.  All was well.  Tuesday, he threw up and was breathing hard.  He’s been at the vet since.  Anyone have information on this disease?  He’s a good boy and I’m very bummed. (:-(

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My 4 year old male tabby Riff has been diagnosed with intermediate cardio myopathy.  He was at the vet two weeks ago for a physical.  All was well.  Tuesday, he threw up and was breathing hard.  He’s been at the vet since.  Anyone have information on this disease?  He’s a good boy and I’m very bummed. (:-(

Click on the link below, then go to the "Just for Cats" page.  You’ll find some links to good sites on cardiomyopathy there. — The Special-Needs Pets Web Site http://www.specialneedspets.org

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Dave— We’re *very* sorry to hear that. We had some experience with it this year — a bit more than we would have liked. A lot depends on what your vet sees and says. The 3 mains types are hypertrophic, restrictive, or dilated — so I’m not sure what your vet meant (but I’m not a DVM!). If you want to read up, Jonathan Abbott, Small Animal Cardiology Secrets is for vets, but not too technical for us non-specialists.ISBN 1-56053-352-8 — cost 40something $, but worth every penny of it. I’d say, if your vet wants more tests, by all means. Especially an echo cardiogram, which a specialist usually does. If your vet doesn’t mention an echo, ask! Someone’s website referred to CM as "cruelly capricious." It can be placid and easy to manage, or a wild ride — we experienced both. I think the thing to keep in mind is that things can happen very abruptly — this is *not* to sound Grim Reaper, but it *is* to say — be psychologically prepared in case you do get something abrupt. The key thing to watch, in them all, is breathing. Mouth breathing is a problem regardless. And also breaths per minute — our cardiologist had us counting — we aimed for below 40/minute when asleep, ideally 36 or lower. We were able to manage things for quite some time with lasix (diuretic, removes fluids, hence eases breathing) and a vaso-dilator (reduces strain o heart). This was for restrictive CM, which is the least understood. Hope this helps — feel free to ask more precise questions! %%robert My 4 year old male tabby Riff has been diagnosed with intermediate cardio myopathy.  He was at the vet two weeks ago for a physical.  All was well.  Tuesday, he threw up and was breathing hard.  He’s been at the vet since.  Anyone have information on this disease?  He’s a good boy and I’m very bummed. (:-(

—–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

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There are a couple ways you can encourage your kitty to eat.  These have worked for my cats. * Try warming the food up a little.  I found that putting the food in the microwave for 30 seconds on medium or medium-high usually did the trick. * Add a little low-sodium chicken broth to the food, that will add both flavor and moisture to keep your kitty hydrated.  The best one is Hain no-sodium-added chicken broth, available at most health food stores and all-natural grocery stores.  If that’s not an option then the best grocery store kind I’ve found is Campbell’s Healthy Request low-sodium chicken broth. * Sit with your kitty and gently pet her while she eats.  Croon sweet nothings into her ear… sounds silly, but it helps! I feel a kind of kinship with you… my Jasmine is also a calico girl, about 4 years old, and 6.2 lbs.  :)  They could almost be twins!  :) Good luck to you and your kitty!  Please keep us posted!  :) -Valerie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – She is 5 years old, spayed, is almost 7 lbs, a calico,  has been sick only once a few years ago when she had a bout with FUS. So what I am looking for is someone who might have had similar experiences and has the patience to offer advice to a finicky cat person and a finckier cat.

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Hi I’m new here, was recommeded by some friends over at another ng. and I have what may be a sick cat. She is 5 years old, spayed, is almost 7 lbs, a calico,  has been sick only once a few years ago when she had a bout with FUS. She’s been off her food for about a week and 1/2  ( she never eats very much at all to begin with) and a few days ago was eating practically nothing and not going to the litter box at all . I dont know if she was peeing anywhere else in the house but I doubt it ( I guess it’s really hard to know unless you step in it. ) So, Sunday having been warned by my catty friends that cats can die when they dont visit the litter box regularly ( ok folks I am trying to be delicate here) I dragged her to the vet. (Try and find a vet on a Sunday !). They examined her, found no blockages ( they said) in fact they said her bladder was empty. She had a very slight fever. They injected liguid subcutaneously ( yuck!) so she doesnt get dehydrated, took her blood and sent us home with some Hill’s Prescription Diet which they swore even finicky cats ate, some antihistamine which they said would stimulate her appetite if necessary. So when we got home after not having eaten all day she slurped up almost 1/5 of the can, eventually peed a little and had a little squiggly poop. This morning she ate nothing and when the vet called and told us that the blood came back OK she  advised me that if she stopped eating again to use the anti histamine and if that didnt work to bring her in and be taught how to force feed her. So, tonight she didnt eat again, she did pee a little, I tried to give her the pill and have scratched and tattered arms, legs, tshirt and sweat pants for my trouble and I dont have any idea if she swallowed the pill or spit it out somewhere. Just now ( midnight) she ate another 1/5 of a can so I feel kinda silly writing this but I figure that by tomorrow we’ll be back to square one anyway . I dont know if she ate just now because of the pill or because she is oK. I’m really a pain in the neck as I eschew Western medicine,  synthetic medication, most of the cat foods on the market and have as my bible Anitra Frazier’s The New Natural Cat so please be patient with me. (The problem is that Anitra is not here to consult when her advice doesnt pan out and I havent found a holistic vet yet. ([if anyone lives in NYCity and knows of one please yell] ) So what I am looking for is someone who might have had similar experiences and has the patience to offer advice to a finicky cat person and a finckier cat. thanks in advance. Barbara

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Oh – do I feel for you!! I just went through the *WILL NOT EAT* strike with my baby Truffle – who is a 1 year old tortie girl.  (What is it with these tri-colored cats!)  She HAS to be the finickiest eater on the face of this planet.  She regularly goes on hunger strikes for no apparent reason.  She’s been fully checked out by the vet – and NOTHING abnormal has been detected. The last time she went on a hunger strike (she had been on Nutro canned food), she refused to eat for 5 days.  She went to the vet, was pretty much given the same regimen your cat was given (but no sub-q fluids as she was not dehydrated, amazingly enough!).  You see, she WANTED to eat – and regularly drank water – but refused to eat what was out.  I tried NINE different flavours!!!!  I brought her home with a prescription for Periactin (an antihistamin which enhances appetite), a couple of antibiotics, and some ear drops for a yeast infection.  The vet also set me up with a few cans of Hills a/d food (works GREAT for finicky eaters, but it is NOT a balanced diet, so it can only be used temporarily). After two cans of the Hills, and two days on her meds, she miraculously started eating the dry food I put out for the other two kitties.  I say miraculously – because up to that point, she REFUSED all dry food.  It’s like she totally decided she was changing her diet completely….it still amazes me.  She eats well now (until her next hunger strike), and has put on some weight.  (From a skeletal 5.7 pounds to a whopping – for her – 6.6 pounds – whoohooo!) Good luck with kitty.  Try some different foods.  The Hills a/d does work miracles though….this is the SECOND time I’ve had cats miraculously start eating when given that stuff!!!   Marlene "One cat just leads to another." – Ernest Hemingway http://members.home.net/sassy34/HomePage.htm – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi I’m new here, was recommeded by some friends over at another ng. and I have what may be a sick cat. She is 5 years old, spayed, is almost 7 lbs, a calico,  has been sick only once a few years ago when she had a bout with FUS. She’s been off her food for about a week and 1/2  ( she never eats very much at all to begin with) and a few days ago was eating practically nothing and not going to the litter box at all . I dont know if she was peeing anywhere else in the house but I doubt it ( I guess it’s really hard to know unless you step in it. ) So, Sunday having been warned by my catty friends that cats can die when they dont visit the litter box regularly ( ok folks I am trying to be delicate here) I dragged her to the vet. (Try and find a vet on a Sunday !). They examined her, found no blockages ( they said) in fact they said her bladder was empty. She had a very slight fever. They injected liguid subcutaneously ( yuck!) so she doesnt get dehydrated, took her blood and sent us home with some Hill’s Prescription Diet which they swore even finicky cats ate, some antihistamine which they said would stimulate her appetite if necessary. So when we got home after not having eaten all day she slurped up almost 1/5 of the can, eventually peed a little and had a little squiggly poop. This morning she ate nothing and when the vet called and told us that the blood came back OK she  advised me that if she stopped eating again to use the anti histamine and if that didnt work to bring her in and be taught how to force feed her. So, tonight she didnt eat again, she did pee a little, I tried to give her the pill and have scratched and tattered arms, legs, tshirt and sweat pants for my trouble and I dont have any idea if she swallowed the pill or spit it out somewhere. Just now ( midnight) she ate another 1/5 of a can so I feel kinda silly writing this but I figure that by tomorrow we’ll be back to square one anyway . I dont know if she ate just now because of the pill or because she is oK. I’m really a pain in the neck as I eschew Western medicine,  synthetic medication, most of the cat foods on the market and have as my bible Anitra Frazier’s The New Natural Cat so please be patient with me. (The problem is that Anitra is not here to consult when her advice doesnt pan out and I havent found a holistic vet yet. ([if anyone lives in NYCity and knows of one please yell] ) So what I am looking for is someone who might have had similar experiences and has the patience to offer advice to a finicky cat person and a finckier cat. thanks in advance. Barbara

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I have a new kitty, Tinkerbell,she was the runt and is still very tiny. She got sick shortly after birth and we had to feed her with a bottle to get her to eat. All seemed to be going well,  until yesterday. She had finally started to ear regular kitten food and was occasionally drinking water. She is now apx 10 wks old. Yesterday I noticed she was being lethargic and meowing everytime she was touched. Thought it might be constipation from not drinking enough water,so gave water via eye dropper. She is worse tonight. Breathing is labored and shaky and she does nothing but lie down. Has anyone had a similar problem? Help please. Debi & Tinkerbell ^..^

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Debi, Please take your kitty to the vet ASAP. Lethargy is not a good sign, and meowing often indicates that your cat is in pain. I don’t think anyone can give you a proper diagnosis from a NG. Best of luck to you and to tinkerbell. Janene – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a new kitty, Tinkerbell,she was the runt and is still very tiny. She got sick shortly after birth and we had to feed her with a bottle to get her to eat. All seemed to be going well,  until yesterday. She had finally started to ear regular kitten food and was occasionally drinking water. She is now apx 10 wks old. Yesterday I noticed she was being lethargic and meowing everytime she was touched. Thought it might be constipation from not drinking enough water,so gave water via eye dropper. She is worse tonight. Breathing is labored and shaky and she does nothing but lie down. Has anyone had a similar problem? Help please. Debi & Tinkerbell ^..^

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From the sounds of it you need to get Tinkerbell to the vet, it is possible she was exposed to an upper respiratory infection and she would need to be placed on anitbiotics to clear it up.  Kittens are very susceptable to URI’s especially if they are not recieving maternal antiboties. — I wish you well, Zarifra Silver and grey snow leopard, purring from the corner. Owner/Property of the monitor sitting, cursor chasing bengals http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Andes/4561

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I am afraid this doesn’t sound too good.  The best hope is that it is a horrible hairball which can be ejected by getting the cat to emit it with something horrible enough to make the cat  vomit violently, there are various ideas… virtually anything horrible has been tried as an emetic.  Try raw egg with a little bit of chilli as a first approximation, but make sure the cat has lots of water available… at least it won’t do much damage to the poor animal then. Cats don’t like surgery, they forgive you eventually but they have long memories. Our animal behaviourists at UWA tell me I must be imagining the fact that my cat can remember whether she has 12, 11,… or fewer cans of cat food and throws a violent tantrum when it hits zero.  Nevertheless, she does, and you can see her head moving as she counts them, and she often opens the cupboard door to count them.  Even now that she is old and not really interested in eating… someone should come up with a can of cat food sauce without the annoying solid stuff. My Siamese cat Mu would be very happy. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Greetings group, I’m hoping someone may be able to help a co-worker of mine. He called me today, frantic about his domestic shorthair cat.  She is 2 years old and has had a chronic cough all her life.  He’s been very concerned throughout, taking her to many different vets when her symptoms occur but with varying results.  Some had her on antibiotics, and the cough did temporarily subside then again came back.  Other vets claimed it was ‘hairballs’ and had him administer pepto bismol!  Now apparently Friday night when he came back from work she haden’t eaten and was very weak.  He rushed her to a clinic and they ran all the blood tests and they came back clear.  They then suggested the only recourse was to scope her throat, but that it may now show anything.  They also mentioned that no clinic in London had that type of equipment so he’d have to take her to Guelph.  He has spent thousands of dollars in the last couple years, and money is not an issue for him, but he is concerned to put her through this surgery and perhaps suffering, with no definate chance of improving her life. Has anyone had similar experience, had this type of surgery, or even heard of the symtoms and to what it may be associated with?  I really hate to be a bother about this, but he is a very nice person and loves his cat Coco dearly, she’s his only company at home.  He’d be extremely grateful. Thanks everyone

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I’m very, very sorry to hear about your cat as well.  It’s amazing how even family members can be even though they do care, but are too stubborn to take proper advice.  I hope your kitty has plenty of treats, a lot of petting, and a soft lap to make his life a little happier while he’s in this world. Although I’m not a religous person, I do like to believe in the fabled ‘Rainbow Bridge’, and one day when I cross it, I plan on meeting all my wonderful friends I’ve loved and lost. Sincerely, Alexandra

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Tracy, Thanks for your concern.  I did read all the CRF websites when my cat was diagnosed last October, but it’s been hard to have him cared for properly, as he’s with my parents (his living with me at school is not an option) and my dad has a "unless I am dying I will not do anything differently" attitude about taking care of health.  So no, he did not get subQ’d, nor was his diet any different really– I think part of it may have been denial– by not taking special care of him, my dad could tell himself that the cat was still fine. Anyways, when I last visited home, I saw that the cat had wasted down to 7 lbs (10 when diagnosed, 13 when healthy) and was barely eating, and I told my dad that the cat was dying and didn’t have long to live.  I gave him one subQ, and showed my parents how to do it.  I explained to them that 100-150 ml a day is about right.  Later on my dad was telling me that he was doing 30 ml a day, because he thinks that 30 is plenty.  I

told him, "no no no, – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – medically you need to give him more than 30."  After much grumbling my dad said my cat would get 2 30 ml injections a day and that’s enough. Sad to say, this is the way that a lot of people are.  "Just because you are doctor does not mean that you know more about taking care of my health than I do.  I will do things as I see fit." I think he may hang in there 1-2 more months, but his condition is so poor that I don’t think that realistically he is capable of much improvement by this point. Poor cat… I still remember back to the summer of ‘87 when we kidnapped him as a homeless 1-month kitten born to a stray across the street, and brought him home so that he could come live with us.  Yep, those were the good old days. –John (Harvard/Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Internal Medicine 6/2001-6/2004) I am so sorry your cat has chronic renal failure.  There is a website on chronic renal failure for cats that I have heard is very good.  People there might have some suggestions for you.  Are you feeding him the special diet – I fed mine Science Diet K/D when I had a cat with this. He lived to be 18, a good long life.  I am assuming with your medical background that you are giving him subcutaneous injections to rehydrate him?

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Hi Tracy,

Thanks for your concern.  I did read all the CRF websites when my cat was diagnosed last October, but it’s been hard to have him cared for properly, as he’s with my parents (his living with me at school is not an option) and my dad has a "unless I am dying I will not do anything differently" attitude about taking care of health.  So no, he did not get subQ’d, nor was his diet any different really– I think part of it may have been denial– by not taking special care of him, my dad could tell himself that the cat was still fine. Anyways, when I last visited home, I saw that the cat had wasted down to 7 lbs (10 when diagnosed, 13 when healthy) and was barely eating, and I told my dad that the cat was dying and didn’t have long to live.  I gave him one subQ, and showed my parents how to do it.  I explained to them that 100-150 ml a day is about right.  Later on my dad was telling me that he was doing 30 ml a day, because he thinks that 30 is plenty.  I told him, "no no no, medically you need to give him more than 30."  After much grumbling my dad said my cat would get 2 30 ml injections a day and that’s enough. Sad to say, this is the way that a lot of people are.  "Just because you are doctor does not mean that you know more about taking care of my health than I do.  I will do things as I see fit." I think he may hang in there 1-2 more months, but his condition is so poor that I don’t think that realistically he is capable of much improvement by this point. Poor cat… I still remember back to the summer of ‘87 when we kidnapped him as a homeless 1-month kitten born to a stray across the street, and brought him home so that he could come live with us.  Yep, those were the good old days. –John (Harvard/Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Internal Medicine 6/2001-6/2004) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am so sorry your cat has chronic renal failure.  There is a website on chronic renal failure for cats that I have heard is very good.  People there might have some suggestions for you.  Are you feeding him the special diet – I fed mine Science Diet K/D when I had a cat with this. He lived to be 18, a good long life.  I am assuming with your medical background that you are giving him subcutaneous injections to rehydrate him?

Response:

Hi Tracy, Good question– I don’t know… almost all the medically related stuff I know (aside from what I know about my poor cat with chronic renal failure, who I don’t think will make it to his 14th birthday in a few months) pertains to human health.  I don’t know if cats can get TB or not.  TB is a very common cause of chronic cough in humans, though. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can cats get tuberculosis?  Thanks. Tracy

Response:

Can cats get tuberculosis?  Thanks. Tracy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, If it were a person with a chronic cough, then I’d try to make sure that the following tests were done: 1. chest X-ray:  chronic cough could be a sign of a heart problem that shows up on x-ray. 2. tuberculosis can cause chronic cough:  signs of TB may be visible on chest X-ray.  There are antibiotics that can treat and cure TB. 3. using a camera to look into the throat and stomach sounds like a good idea. I’d consider looking in the stomach, since things like an active stomach ulcer or reflux/excess stomach acid could cause a chronic cough. 4. regarding antibiotics, some infectious agents can cause chronic cough.  In a person I’d try using a course of erythromycin in case it’s mycoplasm pneumoniae that is causing the caugh. Hope this helps, John M.D., 5/2001 Greetings group, I’m hoping someone may be able to help a co-worker of mine. He called me today, frantic about his domestic shorthair cat.  She is 2 years old and has had a chronic cough all her life.  He’s been very concerned throughout, taking her to many different vets when her symptoms occur but with varying results.  Some had her on antibiotics, and the cough did temporarily subside then again came back.  Other vets claimed it was ‘hairballs’ and had him administer pepto bismol!  Now apparently Friday night when he came back from work she haden’t eaten and was very weak.  He rushed her to a clinic and they ran all the blood tests and they came back clear.  They then suggested the only recourse was to scope her throat, but that it may now show anything.  They also mentioned that no clinic in London had that type of equipment so he’d have to take her to Guelph.  He has spent thousands of dollars in the last couple years, and money is not an issue for him, but he is concerned to put her through this surgery and perhaps suffering, with no definate chance of improving her life. Has anyone had similar experience, had this type of surgery, or even heard of the symtoms and to what it may be associated with?  I really hate to be a bother about this, but he is a very nice person and loves his cat Coco dearly, she’s his only company at home.  He’d be extremely grateful. Thanks everyone

Response:

John, I am so sorry your cat has chronic renal failure.  There is a website on chronic renal failure for cats that I have heard is very good.  People there might have some suggestions for you.  Are you feeding him the special diet – I fed mine Science Diet K/D when I had a cat with this. He lived to be 18, a good long life.  I am assuming with your medical background that you are giving him subcutaneous injections to rehydrate him?   Good luck, and maybe someone here would post the URL for that website if you posted a request for it. Tracy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Tracy, Good question– I don’t know… almost all the medically related stuff I know (aside from what I know about my poor cat with chronic renal failure, who I don’t think will make it to his 14th birthday in a few months) pertains to human health.  I don’t know if cats can get TB or not.  TB is a very common cause of chronic cough in humans, though. Can cats get tuberculosis?  Thanks. Tracy

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Greetings group, I’m hoping someone may be able to help a co-worker of mine. He called me today, frantic about his domestic shorthair cat.  She is 2 years old and has had a chronic cough all her life.  He’s been very concerned throughout, taking her to many different vets when her symptoms occur but with varying results.  Some had her on antibiotics, and the cough did temporarily subside then again came back.  Other vets claimed it was ‘hairballs’ and had him administer pepto bismol!  Now apparently Friday night when he came back from work she haden’t eaten and was very weak.  He rushed her to a clinic and they ran all the blood tests and they came back clear.  They then suggested the only recourse was to scope her throat, but that it may now show anything.  They also mentioned that no clinic in London had that type of equipment so he’d have to take her to Guelph.  He has spent thousands of dollars in the last couple years, and money is not an issue for him, but he is concerned to put her through this surgery and perhaps suffering, with no definate chance of improving her life. Has anyone had similar experience, had this type of surgery, or even heard of the symtoms and to what it may be associated with?  I really hate to be a bother about this, but he is a very nice person and loves his cat Coco dearly, she’s his only company at home.  He’d be extremely grateful. Thanks everyone

I have heard such symptoms of these related to heart problems. Has that been checked??? Karen

Response:

Greetings group, I’m hoping someone may be able to help a co-worker of mine. He called me today, frantic about his domestic shorthair cat.  She is 2 years old and has had a chronic cough all her life.  He’s been very concerned throughout, taking her to many different vets when her symptoms occur but with varying results.

A cough in a young animal could be a symptom of many diseases, including congenital heart disease, heartworm disease or simply cat asthma.  I would recommend chest x-rays and ultrasonography – ideally, an echocardiogram, as well as heartworm testing for heartworm antigen and antibodies (HWAg and HWAb). Tests that detect circulating antibodies to immature and adult heartworm antigen are the most sensitive tests for feline heartworm disease. However, tests that detect circulating  heartworm antigen are more specific than antibody tests; a positive antigen test result is strong evidence of heartworm disease although a low worm burden can result in a false negative result.  That’s why its best to get both tests. Heartworm disease cannot be ruled out on the basis of season; heartworms can take months to years to grow.  Indoor cats are also at risk. If all these tests are negative, the next step would be a Trans-Tracheal Aspiration Biopsy (TTAB).  Although its called a "biopsy", cutting is usually not necessary.  The trans-tracheal aspiration biopsy is actually a technique to produce a sample of the cells and/or other material inside the lungs and windpipes.  A catheter is placed down a tracheal and down into the lungs. A small amount of saline solution is flushed into the lungs and quickly suctioned back into a syringe.  The fluid can then be analyzed using cytologic techniques, providing valuable information about conditions of the respiratory system.  If you’re not making any progress with your current vet, I would seek a second opinion if I were you.  I suggest you contact the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) at (800) 245-9081 or E-mail: or American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) 530 Church Street, Suite 700, Nashville, Tennessee 37219 and ask for a referral to a specialist/Diplomate in your area. Good luck. Phil. — "It always gives me a shiver when I see a cat      seeing what I can’t" –Eleanor Farjeon   Feline Healthcare: http://maxshouse.com Some had her on antibiotics, and the cough – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – did temporarily subside then again came back.  Other vets claimed it was ‘hairballs’ and had him administer pepto bismol!  Now apparently Friday night when he came back from work she haden’t eaten and was very weak.  He rushed her to a clinic and they ran all the blood tests and they came back clear.  They then suggested the only recourse was to scope her throat, but that it may now show anything.  They also mentioned that no clinic in London had that type of equipment so he’d have to take her to Guelph.  He has spent thousands of dollars in the last couple years, and money is not an issue for him, but he is concerned to put her through this surgery and perhaps suffering, with no definate chance of improving her life. Has anyone had similar experience, had this type of surgery, or even heard of the symtoms and to what it may be associated with?  I really hate to be a bother about this, but he is a very nice person and loves his cat Coco dearly, she’s his only company at home.  He’d be extremely grateful. Thanks everyone

Response:

Greetings group, I’m hoping someone may be able to help a co-worker of mine. He called me today, frantic about his domestic shorthair cat.  She is 2 years old and has had a chronic cough all her life.  He’s been very concerned throughout, taking her to many different vets when her symptoms occur but with varying results.  Some had her on antibiotics, and the cough did temporarily subside then again came back.  Other vets claimed it was ‘hairballs’ and had him administer pepto bismol!  Now apparently Friday night when he came back from work she haden’t eaten and was very weak.  He rushed her to a clinic and they ran all the blood tests and they came back clear.  They then suggested the only recourse was to scope her throat, but that it may now show anything.  They also mentioned that no clinic in London had that type of equipment so he’d have to take her to Guelph.  He has spent thousands of dollars in the last couple years, and money is not an issue for him, but he is concerned to put her through this surgery and perhaps suffering, with no definate chance of improving her life. Has anyone had similar experience, had this type of surgery, or even heard of the symtoms and to what it may be associated with?  I really hate to be a bother about this, but he is a very nice person and loves his cat Coco dearly, she’s his only company at home.  He’d be extremely grateful. Thanks everyone

Response:

If they are talking about scoping her throat, I believe they are talking about sticking an instrument down her throat to see what it looks like.  It is not major surgery.  I believe they use a laproscope or something.  It is a lot more safe then cutting her open to see what is wrong.  They can look all the way down into her stomach.  I would want that done before any surgery to see what is wrong.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Greetings group, I’m hoping someone may be able to help a co-worker of mine. He called me today, frantic about his domestic shorthair cat.  She is 2 years old and has had a chronic cough all her life.  He’s been very concerned throughout, taking her to many different vets when her symptoms occur but with varying results.  Some had her on antibiotics, and the cough did temporarily subside then again came back.  Other vets claimed it was ‘hairballs’ and had him administer pepto bismol!  Now apparently Friday night when he came back from work she haden’t eaten and was very weak.  He rushed her to a clinic and they ran all the blood tests and they came back clear.  They then suggested the only recourse was to scope her throat, but that it may now show anything.  They also mentioned that no clinic in London had that type of equipment so he’d have to take her to Guelph.  He has spent thousands of dollars in the last couple years, and money is not an issue for him, but he is concerned to put her through this surgery and perhaps suffering, with no definate chance of improving her life. Has anyone had similar experience, had this type of surgery, or even heard of the symtoms and to what it may be associated with?  I really hate to be a bother about this, but he is a very nice person and loves his cat Coco dearly, she’s his only company at home.  He’d be extremely grateful. Thanks everyone

Response:

Hi, If it were a person with a chronic cough, then I’d try to make sure that the following tests were done: 1. chest X-ray:  chronic cough could be a sign of a heart problem that shows up on x-ray. 2. tuberculosis can cause chronic cough:  signs of TB may be visible on chest X-ray.  There are antibiotics that can treat and cure TB. 3. using a camera to look into the throat and stomach sounds like a good idea. I’d consider looking in the stomach, since things like an active stomach ulcer or reflux/excess stomach acid could cause a chronic cough. 4. regarding antibiotics, some infectious agents can cause chronic cough.  In a person I’d try using a course of erythromycin in case it’s mycoplasm pneumoniae that is causing the caugh. Hope this helps, John M.D., 5/2001 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Greetings group, I’m hoping someone may be able to help a co-worker of mine. He called me today, frantic about his domestic shorthair cat.  She is 2 years old and has had a chronic cough all her life.  He’s been very concerned throughout, taking her to many different vets when her symptoms occur but with varying results.  Some had her on antibiotics, and the cough did temporarily subside then again came back.  Other vets claimed it was ‘hairballs’ and had him administer pepto bismol!  Now apparently Friday night when he came back from work she haden’t eaten and was very weak.  He rushed her to a clinic and they ran all the blood tests and they came back clear.  They then suggested the only recourse was to scope her throat, but that it may now show anything.  They also mentioned that no clinic in London had that type of equipment so he’d have to take her to Guelph.  He has spent thousands of dollars in the last couple years, and money is not an issue for him, but he is concerned to put her through this surgery and perhaps suffering, with no definate chance of improving her life. Has anyone had similar experience, had this type of surgery, or even heard of the symtoms and to what it may be associated with?  I really hate to be a bother about this, but he is a very nice person and loves his cat Coco dearly, she’s his only company at home.  He’d be extremely grateful. Thanks everyone

Response:

<BR My beautiful sweet baby girl died tonight.

Dear Nicole,      I am so sorry at the loss of your dear kitty, Xena.  Please accept my deepest condolences.  It is so hard to lose our beloved kitties and yes, she sounds like she had such a loving owner who will miss her greatly. Sincerely, Athene

Response:

Nicole My maggie had a nasty eye infection but it diagnosed as uper respitury infection(uri) So the vet prescribed her Cefa drops for the mouth and in about ten days she was ok but I have no idea but however I hope only the best for Xena. Please let me know the outcome,    Gina

My beautiful sweet baby girl died tonight.  I came home from work to find her breathing funny, rapidly and shallowly through her nose.  I rushed her to the emergency room.  They X-rayed her to find her kidney was absolutely huge ~ it had swelled to five times its normal size, most of that in the course of the day.  (The vet is perplexed and tells me the kidney is a solid mass, and whatever it was it was spreading to her other kidney and her heart as well.)  Her lungs were filled with fluid, and when they tried to insert a trach tube, she began to vomit and went into cardiac arrest. Rest in peace, my beloved Xena….  You were well loved during your all too short life. nicole —— http://www.harkenwood.org/~kaji

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Nicole My maggie had a nasty eye infection but it diagnosed as uper respitury infection(uri) So the vet prescribed her Cefa drops for the mouth and in about ten days she was ok but I have no idea but however I hope only the best for Xena. Please let me know the outcome,    Gina

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My baby girl, Xena (Warrior Kitten!), is sick, and I was wondering if anyone may recognize her symptoms. About two weeks ago I noticed one of her eyes was clouded over.  I took her to the vet the next day, and they gave me antibiotics to give her. The vet noted that Xena’s kidneys were "twice the size they should be" (her last exam had been in August and nothing strange was noted then) and expressed concerns about cancer and leukemia.  I had her tested for Feline Leukemia and she was thankfully negative. I gave Xena the pills faithfully (much to her chagrin).  The white cloudiness in her left eye began to fade, as did a reddish cloud that started to appear in her right eye.  I took her to the vet again for blood tests to further investigate her overly large kidneys, and the results came back today ~ her blood was fine, nothing out of the ordinary.  I had run out of antibiotics and Xena’s eyes began to cloud over again, so the vet gave me another 10 day supply and told me to keep a close eye on her for any other symptoms. I am puzzled and worried.  Xena’s appetite seems fine.  Her energy has been a bit low lately, but I think that is due to stress.  She’s almost two, spayed, and is strictly indoors, as is her brother, Tristan. Anyone have any ideas?  Does my Xena just have big kidneys and a nasty eye infection?  Has anyone experienced anything similar? nicole

Response:

Great info!  I guess ICM is another term for RCM according to what I’ve read on the web.  He’s had x-rays, mri, ultrasound-been seen by a cardiologist. He’s had better care than a lot of people!  How do you administer the drugs? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dave— We’re *very* sorry to hear that. We had some experience with it this year — a bit more than we would have liked. A lot depends on what your vet sees and says. The 3 mains types are hypertrophic, restrictive, or dilated — so I’m not sure what your vet meant (but I’m not a DVM!). If you want to read up, Jonathan Abbott, Small Animal Cardiology Secrets is for vets, but not too technical for us non-specialists.ISBN 1-56053-352-8 — cost 40something $, but worth every penny of it. I’d say, if your vet wants more tests, by all means. Especially an echo cardiogram, which a specialist usually does. If your vet doesn’t mention an echo, ask! Someone’s website referred to CM as "cruelly capricious." It can be placid and easy to manage, or a wild ride — we experienced both. I think the thing to keep in mind is that things can happen very abruptly — this is *not* to sound Grim Reaper, but it *is* to say — be psychologically prepared in case you do get something abrupt. The key thing to watch, in them all, is breathing. Mouth breathing is a problem regardless. And also breaths per minute — our cardiologist had us counting — we aimed for below 40/minute when asleep, ideally 36 or lower. We were able to manage things for quite some time with lasix (diuretic, removes fluids, hence eases breathing) and a vaso-dilator (reduces strain o heart). This was for restrictive CM, which is the least understood. Hope this helps — feel free to ask more precise questions! %%robert My 4 year old male tabby Riff has been diagnosed with intermediate cardio myopathy.  He was at the vet two weeks ago for a physical.  All was well.  Tuesday, he threw up and was breathing hard.  He’s been at the vet since.  Anyone have information on this disease?  He’s a good boy and I’m very bummed. (:-( —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

Response:

My 4 year old male tabby Riff has been diagnosed with intermediate cardio myopathy.  He was at the vet two weeks ago for a physical.  All was well.  Tuesday, he threw up and was breathing hard.  He’s been at the vet since.  Anyone have information on this disease?  He’s a good boy and I’m very bummed. (:-(

Response:

My 4 year old male tabby Riff has been diagnosed with intermediate cardio myopathy.  He was at the vet two weeks ago for a physical.  All was well.  Tuesday, he threw up and was breathing hard.  He’s been at the vet since.  Anyone have information on this disease?  He’s a good boy and I’m very bummed. (:-(

Click on the link below, then go to the "Just for Cats" page.  You’ll find some links to good sites on cardiomyopathy there. — The Special-Needs Pets Web Site http://www.specialneedspets.org

Response:

Dave— We’re *very* sorry to hear that. We had some experience with it this year — a bit more than we would have liked. A lot depends on what your vet sees and says. The 3 mains types are hypertrophic, restrictive, or dilated — so I’m not sure what your vet meant (but I’m not a DVM!). If you want to read up, Jonathan Abbott, Small Animal Cardiology Secrets is for vets, but not too technical for us non-specialists.ISBN 1-56053-352-8 — cost 40something $, but worth every penny of it. I’d say, if your vet wants more tests, by all means. Especially an echo cardiogram, which a specialist usually does. If your vet doesn’t mention an echo, ask! Someone’s website referred to CM as "cruelly capricious." It can be placid and easy to manage, or a wild ride — we experienced both. I think the thing to keep in mind is that things can happen very abruptly — this is *not* to sound Grim Reaper, but it *is* to say — be psychologically prepared in case you do get something abrupt. The key thing to watch, in them all, is breathing. Mouth breathing is a problem regardless. And also breaths per minute — our cardiologist had us counting — we aimed for below 40/minute when asleep, ideally 36 or lower. We were able to manage things for quite some time with lasix (diuretic, removes fluids, hence eases breathing) and a vaso-dilator (reduces strain o heart). This was for restrictive CM, which is the least understood. Hope this helps — feel free to ask more precise questions! %%robert My 4 year old male tabby Riff has been diagnosed with intermediate cardio myopathy.  He was at the vet two weeks ago for a physical.  All was well.  Tuesday, he threw up and was breathing hard.  He’s been at the vet since.  Anyone have information on this disease?  He’s a good boy and I’m very bummed. (:-(

—–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

Response:

There are a couple ways you can encourage your kitty to eat.  These have worked for my cats. * Try warming the food up a little.  I found that putting the food in the microwave for 30 seconds on medium or medium-high usually did the trick. * Add a little low-sodium chicken broth to the food, that will add both flavor and moisture to keep your kitty hydrated.  The best one is Hain no-sodium-added chicken broth, available at most health food stores and all-natural grocery stores.  If that’s not an option then the best grocery store kind I’ve found is Campbell’s Healthy Request low-sodium chicken broth. * Sit with your kitty and gently pet her while she eats.  Croon sweet nothings into her ear… sounds silly, but it helps! I feel a kind of kinship with you… my Jasmine is also a calico girl, about 4 years old, and 6.2 lbs.  :)  They could almost be twins!  :) Good luck to you and your kitty!  Please keep us posted!  :) -Valerie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – She is 5 years old, spayed, is almost 7 lbs, a calico,  has been sick only once a few years ago when she had a bout with FUS. So what I am looking for is someone who might have had similar experiences and has the patience to offer advice to a finicky cat person and a finckier cat.

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Hi I’m new here, was recommeded by some friends over at another ng. and I have what may be a sick cat. She is 5 years old, spayed, is almost 7 lbs, a calico,  has been sick only once a few years ago when she had a bout with FUS. She’s been off her food for about a week and 1/2  ( she never eats very much at all to begin with) and a few days ago was eating practically nothing and not going to the litter box at all . I dont know if she was peeing anywhere else in the house but I doubt it ( I guess it’s really hard to know unless you step in it. ) So, Sunday having been warned by my catty friends that cats can die when they dont visit the litter box regularly ( ok folks I am trying to be delicate here) I dragged her to the vet. (Try and find a vet on a Sunday !). They examined her, found no blockages ( they said) in fact they said her bladder was empty. She had a very slight fever. They injected liguid subcutaneously ( yuck!) so she doesnt get dehydrated, took her blood and sent us home with some Hill’s Prescription Diet which they swore even finicky cats ate, some antihistamine which they said would stimulate her appetite if necessary. So when we got home after not having eaten all day she slurped up almost 1/5 of the can, eventually peed a little and had a little squiggly poop. This morning she ate nothing and when the vet called and told us that the blood came back OK she  advised me that if she stopped eating again to use the anti histamine and if that didnt work to bring her in and be taught how to force feed her. So, tonight she didnt eat again, she did pee a little, I tried to give her the pill and have scratched and tattered arms, legs, tshirt and sweat pants for my trouble and I dont have any idea if she swallowed the pill or spit it out somewhere. Just now ( midnight) she ate another 1/5 of a can so I feel kinda silly writing this but I figure that by tomorrow we’ll be back to square one anyway . I dont know if she ate just now because of the pill or because she is oK. I’m really a pain in the neck as I eschew Western medicine,  synthetic medication, most of the cat foods on the market and have as my bible Anitra Frazier’s The New Natural Cat so please be patient with me. (The problem is that Anitra is not here to consult when her advice doesnt pan out and I havent found a holistic vet yet. ([if anyone lives in NYCity and knows of one please yell] ) So what I am looking for is someone who might have had similar experiences and has the patience to offer advice to a finicky cat person and a finckier cat. thanks in advance. Barbara

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Oh – do I feel for you!! I just went through the *WILL NOT EAT* strike with my baby Truffle – who is a 1 year old tortie girl.  (What is it with these tri-colored cats!)  She HAS to be the finickiest eater on the face of this planet.  She regularly goes on hunger strikes for no apparent reason.  She’s been fully checked out by the vet – and NOTHING abnormal has been detected. The last time she went on a hunger strike (she had been on Nutro canned food), she refused to eat for 5 days.  She went to the vet, was pretty much given the same regimen your cat was given (but no sub-q fluids as she was not dehydrated, amazingly enough!).  You see, she WANTED to eat – and regularly drank water – but refused to eat what was out.  I tried NINE different flavours!!!!  I brought her home with a prescription for Periactin (an antihistamin which enhances appetite), a couple of antibiotics, and some ear drops for a yeast infection.  The vet also set me up with a few cans of Hills a/d food (works GREAT for finicky eaters, but it is NOT a balanced diet, so it can only be used temporarily). After two cans of the Hills, and two days on her meds, she miraculously started eating the dry food I put out for the other two kitties.  I say miraculously – because up to that point, she REFUSED all dry food.  It’s like she totally decided she was changing her diet completely….it still amazes me.  She eats well now (until her next hunger strike), and has put on some weight.  (From a skeletal 5.7 pounds to a whopping – for her – 6.6 pounds – whoohooo!) Good luck with kitty.  Try some different foods.  The Hills a/d does work miracles though….this is the SECOND time I’ve had cats miraculously start eating when given that stuff!!!   Marlene "One cat just leads to another." – Ernest Hemingway http://members.home.net/sassy34/HomePage.htm – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi I’m new here, was recommeded by some friends over at another ng. and I have what may be a sick cat. She is 5 years old, spayed, is almost 7 lbs, a calico,  has been sick only once a few years ago when she had a bout with FUS. She’s been off her food for about a week and 1/2  ( she never eats very much at all to begin with) and a few days ago was eating practically nothing and not going to the litter box at all . I dont know if she was peeing anywhere else in the house but I doubt it ( I guess it’s really hard to know unless you step in it. ) So, Sunday having been warned by my catty friends that cats can die when they dont visit the litter box regularly ( ok folks I am trying to be delicate here) I dragged her to the vet. (Try and find a vet on a Sunday !). They examined her, found no blockages ( they said) in fact they said her bladder was empty. She had a very slight fever. They injected liguid subcutaneously ( yuck!) so she doesnt get dehydrated, took her blood and sent us home with some Hill’s Prescription Diet which they swore even finicky cats ate, some antihistamine which they said would stimulate her appetite if necessary. So when we got home after not having eaten all day she slurped up almost 1/5 of the can, eventually peed a little and had a little squiggly poop. This morning she ate nothing and when the vet called and told us that the blood came back OK she  advised me that if she stopped eating again to use the anti histamine and if that didnt work to bring her in and be taught how to force feed her. So, tonight she didnt eat again, she did pee a little, I tried to give her the pill and have scratched and tattered arms, legs, tshirt and sweat pants for my trouble and I dont have any idea if she swallowed the pill or spit it out somewhere. Just now ( midnight) she ate another 1/5 of a can so I feel kinda silly writing this but I figure that by tomorrow we’ll be back to square one anyway . I dont know if she ate just now because of the pill or because she is oK. I’m really a pain in the neck as I eschew Western medicine,  synthetic medication, most of the cat foods on the market and have as my bible Anitra Frazier’s The New Natural Cat so please be patient with me. (The problem is that Anitra is not here to consult when her advice doesnt pan out and I havent found a holistic vet yet. ([if anyone lives in NYCity and knows of one please yell] ) So what I am looking for is someone who might have had similar experiences and has the patience to offer advice to a finicky cat person and a finckier cat. thanks in advance. Barbara

–

Response:

I have a new kitty, Tinkerbell,she was the runt and is still very tiny. She got sick shortly after birth and we had to feed her with a bottle to get her to eat. All seemed to be going well,  until yesterday. She had finally started to ear regular kitten food and was occasionally drinking water. She is now apx 10 wks old. Yesterday I noticed she was being lethargic and meowing everytime she was touched. Thought it might be constipation from not drinking enough water,so gave water via eye dropper. She is worse tonight. Breathing is labored and shaky and she does nothing but lie down. Has anyone had a similar problem? Help please. Debi & Tinkerbell ^..^

Response:

Debi, Please take your kitty to the vet ASAP. Lethargy is not a good sign, and meowing often indicates that your cat is in pain. I don’t think anyone can give you a proper diagnosis from a NG. Best of luck to you and to tinkerbell. Janene – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a new kitty, Tinkerbell,she was the runt and is still very tiny. She got sick shortly after birth and we had to feed her with a bottle to get her to eat. All seemed to be going well,  until yesterday. She had finally started to ear regular kitten food and was occasionally drinking water. She is now apx 10 wks old. Yesterday I noticed she was being lethargic and meowing everytime she was touched. Thought it might be constipation from not drinking enough water,so gave water via eye dropper. She is worse tonight. Breathing is labored and shaky and she does nothing but lie down. Has anyone had a similar problem? Help please. Debi & Tinkerbell ^..^

Response:

From the sounds of it you need to get Tinkerbell to the vet, it is possible she was exposed to an upper respiratory infection and she would need to be placed on anitbiotics to clear it up.  Kittens are very susceptable to URI’s especially if they are not recieving maternal antiboties. — I wish you well, Zarifra Silver and grey snow leopard, purring from the corner. Owner/Property of the monitor sitting, cursor chasing bengals http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Andes/4561

Response:

I am afraid this doesn’t sound too good.  The best hope is that it is a horrible hairball which can be ejected by getting the cat to emit it with something horrible enough to make the cat  vomit violently, there are various ideas… virtually anything horrible has been tried as an emetic.  Try raw egg with a little bit of chilli as a first approximation, but make sure the cat has lots of water available… at least it won’t do much damage to the poor animal then. Cats don’t like surgery, they forgive you eventually but they have long memories. Our animal behaviourists at UWA tell me I must be imagining the fact that my cat can remember whether she has 12, 11,… or fewer cans of cat food and throws a violent tantrum when it hits zero.  Nevertheless, she does, and you can see her head moving as she counts them, and she often opens the cupboard door to count them.  Even now that she is old and not really interested in eating… someone should come up with a can of cat food sauce without the annoying solid stuff. My Siamese cat Mu would be very happy. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Greetings group, I’m hoping someone may be able to help a co-worker of mine. He called me today, frantic about his domestic shorthair cat.  She is 2 years old and has had a chronic cough all her life.  He’s been very concerned throughout, taking her to many different vets when her symptoms occur but with varying results.  Some had her on antibiotics, and the cough did temporarily subside then again came back.  Other vets claimed it was ‘hairballs’ and had him administer pepto bismol!  Now apparently Friday night when he came back from work she haden’t eaten and was very weak.  He rushed her to a clinic and they ran all the blood tests and they came back clear.  They then suggested the only recourse was to scope her throat, but that it may now show anything.  They also mentioned that no clinic in London had that type of equipment so he’d have to take her to Guelph.  He has spent thousands of dollars in the last couple years, and money is not an issue for him, but he is concerned to put her through this surgery and perhaps suffering, with no definate chance of improving her life. Has anyone had similar experience, had this type of surgery, or even heard of the symtoms and to what it may be associated with?  I really hate to be a bother about this, but he is a very nice person and loves his cat Coco dearly, she’s his only company at home.  He’d be extremely grateful. Thanks everyone

Response:

I’m very, very sorry to hear about your cat as well.  It’s amazing how even family members can be even though they do care, but are too stubborn to take proper advice.  I hope your kitty has plenty of treats, a lot of petting, and a soft lap to make his life a little happier while he’s in this world. Although I’m not a religous person, I do like to believe in the fabled ‘Rainbow Bridge’, and one day when I cross it, I plan on meeting all my wonderful friends I’ve loved and lost. Sincerely, Alexandra

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Tracy, Thanks for your concern.  I did read all the CRF websites when my cat was diagnosed last October, but it’s been hard to have him cared for properly, as he’s with my parents (his living with me at school is not an option) and my dad has a "unless I am dying I will not do anything differently" attitude about taking care of health.  So no, he did not get subQ’d, nor was his diet any different really– I think part of it may have been denial– by not taking special care of him, my dad could tell himself that the cat was still fine. Anyways, when I last visited home, I saw that the cat had wasted down to 7 lbs (10 when diagnosed, 13 when healthy) and was barely eating, and I told my dad that the cat was dying and didn’t have long to live.  I gave him one subQ, and showed my parents how to do it.  I explained to them that 100-150 ml a day is about right.  Later on my dad was telling me that he was doing 30 ml a day, because he thinks that 30 is plenty.  I

told him, "no no no, – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – medically you need to give him more than 30."  After much grumbling my dad said my cat would get 2 30 ml injections a day and that’s enough. Sad to say, this is the way that a lot of people are.  "Just because you are doctor does not mean that you know more about taking care of my health than I do.  I will do things as I see fit." I think he may hang in there 1-2 more months, but his condition is so poor that I don’t think that realistically he is capable of much improvement by this point. Poor cat… I still remember back to the summer of ‘87 when we kidnapped him as a homeless 1-month kitten born to a stray across the street, and brought him home so that he could come live with us.  Yep, those were the good old days. –John (Harvard/Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Internal Medicine 6/2001-6/2004) I am so sorry your cat has chronic renal failure.  There is a website on chronic renal failure for cats that I have heard is very good.  People there might have some suggestions for you.  Are you feeding him the special diet – I fed mine Science Diet K/D when I had a cat with this. He lived to be 18, a good long life.  I am assuming with your medical background that you are giving him subcutaneous injections to rehydrate him?

Response:

Hi Tracy,

Thanks for your concern.  I did read all the CRF websites when my cat was diagnosed last October, but it’s been hard to have him cared for properly, as he’s with my parents (his living with me at school is not an option) and my dad has a "unless I am dying I will not do anything differently" attitude about taking care of health.  So no, he did not get subQ’d, nor was his diet any different really– I think part of it may have been denial– by not taking special care of him, my dad could tell himself that the cat was still fine. Anyways, when I last visited home, I saw that the cat had wasted down to 7 lbs (10 when diagnosed, 13 when healthy) and was barely eating, and I told my dad that the cat was dying and didn’t have long to live.  I gave him one subQ, and showed my parents how to do it.  I explained to them that 100-150 ml a day is about right.  Later on my dad was telling me that he was doing 30 ml a day, because he thinks that 30 is plenty.  I told him, "no no no, medically you need to give him more than 30."  After much grumbling my dad said my cat would get 2 30 ml injections a day and that’s enough. Sad to say, this is the way that a lot of people are.  "Just because you are doctor does not mean that you know more about taking care of my health than I do.  I will do things as I see fit." I think he may hang in there 1-2 more months, but his condition is so poor that I don’t think that realistically he is capable of much improvement by this point. Poor cat… I still remember back to the summer of ‘87 when we kidnapped him as a homeless 1-month kitten born to a stray across the street, and brought him home so that he could come live with us.  Yep, those were the good old days. –John (Harvard/Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Internal Medicine 6/2001-6/2004) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am so sorry your cat has chronic renal failure.  There is a website on chronic renal failure for cats that I have heard is very good.  People there might have some suggestions for you.  Are you feeding him the special diet – I fed mine Science Diet K/D when I had a cat with this. He lived to be 18, a good long life.  I am assuming with your medical background that you are giving him subcutaneous injections to rehydrate him?

Response:

Hi Tracy, Good question– I don’t know… almost all the medically related stuff I know (aside from what I know about my poor cat with chronic renal failure, who I don’t think will make it to his 14th birthday in a few months) pertains to human health.  I don’t know if cats can get TB or not.  TB is a very common cause of chronic cough in humans, though. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can cats get tuberculosis?  Thanks. Tracy

Response:

Can cats get tuberculosis?  Thanks. Tracy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, If it were a person with a chronic cough, then I’d try to make sure that the following tests were done: 1. chest X-ray:  chronic cough could be a sign of a heart problem that shows up on x-ray. 2. tuberculosis can cause chronic cough:  signs of TB may be visible on chest X-ray.  There are antibiotics that can treat and cure TB. 3. using a camera to look into the throat and stomach sounds like a good idea. I’d consider looking in the stomach, since things like an active stomach ulcer or reflux/excess stomach acid could cause a chronic cough. 4. regarding antibiotics, some infectious agents can cause chronic cough.  In a person I’d try using a course of erythromycin in case it’s mycoplasm pneumoniae that is causing the caugh. Hope this helps, John M.D., 5/2001 Greetings group, I’m hoping someone may be able to help a co-worker of mine. He called me today, frantic about his domestic shorthair cat.  She is 2 years old and has had a chronic cough all her life.  He’s been very concerned throughout, taking her to many different vets when her symptoms occur but with varying results.  Some had her on antibiotics, and the cough did temporarily subside then again came back.  Other vets claimed it was ‘hairballs’ and had him administer pepto bismol!  Now apparently Friday night when he came back from work she haden’t eaten and was very weak.  He rushed her to a clinic and they ran all the blood tests and they came back clear.  They then suggested the only recourse was to scope her throat, but that it may now show anything.  They also mentioned that no clinic in London had that type of equipment so he’d have to take her to Guelph.  He has spent thousands of dollars in the last couple years, and money is not an issue for him, but he is concerned to put her through this surgery and perhaps suffering, with no definate chance of improving her life. Has anyone had similar experience, had this type of surgery, or even heard of the symtoms and to what it may be associated with?  I really hate to be a bother about this, but he is a very nice person and loves his cat Coco dearly, she’s his only company at home.  He’d be extremely grateful. Thanks everyone

Response:

John, I am so sorry your cat has chronic renal failure.  There is a website on chronic renal failure for cats that I have heard is very good.  People there might have some suggestions for you.  Are you feeding him the special diet – I fed mine Science Diet K/D when I had a cat with this. He lived to be 18, a good long life.  I am assuming with your medical background that you are giving him subcutaneous injections to rehydrate him?   Good luck, and maybe someone here would post the URL for that website if you posted a request for it. Tracy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Tracy, Good question– I don’t know… almost all the medically related stuff I know (aside from what I know about my poor cat with chronic renal failure, who I don’t think will make it to his 14th birthday in a few months) pertains to human health.  I don’t know if cats can get TB or not.  TB is a very common cause of chronic cough in humans, though. Can cats get tuberculosis?  Thanks. Tracy

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Greetings group, I’m hoping someone may be able to help a co-worker of mine. He called me today, frantic about his domestic shorthair cat.  She is 2 years old and has had a chronic cough all her life.  He’s been very concerned throughout, taking her to many different vets when her symptoms occur but with varying results.  Some had her on antibiotics, and the cough did temporarily subside then again came back.  Other vets claimed it was ‘hairballs’ and had him administer pepto bismol!  Now apparently Friday night when he came back from work she haden’t eaten and was very weak.  He rushed her to a clinic and they ran all the blood tests and they came back clear.  They then suggested the only recourse was to scope her throat, but that it may now show anything.  They also mentioned that no clinic in London had that type of equipment so he’d have to take her to Guelph.  He has spent thousands of dollars in the last couple years, and money is not an issue for him, but he is concerned to put her through this surgery and perhaps suffering, with no definate chance of improving her life. Has anyone had similar experience, had this type of surgery, or even heard of the symtoms and to what it may be associated with?  I really hate to be a bother about this, but he is a very nice person and loves his cat Coco dearly, she’s his only company at home.  He’d be extremely grateful. Thanks everyone

I have heard such symptoms of these related to heart problems. Has that been checked??? Karen

Response:

Greetings group, I’m hoping someone may be able to help a co-worker of mine. He called me today, frantic about his domestic shorthair cat.  She is 2 years old and has had a chronic cough all her life.  He’s been very concerned throughout, taking her to many different vets when her symptoms occur but with varying results.

A cough in a young animal could be a symptom of many diseases, including congenital heart disease, heartworm disease or simply cat asthma.  I would recommend chest x-rays and ultrasonography – ideally, an echocardiogram, as well as heartworm testing for heartworm antigen and antibodies (HWAg and HWAb). Tests that detect circulating antibodies to immature and adult heartworm antigen are the most sensitive tests for feline heartworm disease. However, tests that detect circulating  heartworm antigen are more specific than antibody tests; a positive antigen test result is strong evidence of heartworm disease although a low worm burden can result in a false negative result.  That’s why its best to get both tests. Heartworm disease cannot be ruled out on the basis of season; heartworms can take months to years to grow.  Indoor cats are also at risk. If all these tests are negative, the next step would be a Trans-Tracheal Aspiration Biopsy (TTAB).  Although its called a "biopsy", cutting is usually not necessary.  The trans-tracheal aspiration biopsy is actually a technique to produce a sample of the cells and/or other material inside the lungs and windpipes.  A catheter is placed down a tracheal and down into the lungs. A small amount of saline solution is flushed into the lungs and quickly suctioned back into a syringe.  The fluid can then be analyzed using cytologic techniques, providing valuable information about conditions of the respiratory system.  If you’re not making any progress with your current vet, I would seek a second opinion if I were you.  I suggest you contact the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) at (800) 245-9081 or E-mail: or American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) 530 Church Street, Suite 700, Nashville, Tennessee 37219 and ask for a referral to a specialist/Diplomate in your area. Good luck. Phil. — "It always gives me a shiver when I see a cat      seeing what I can’t" –Eleanor Farjeon   Feline Healthcare: http://maxshouse.com Some had her on antibiotics, and the cough – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – did temporarily subside then again came back.  Other vets claimed it was ‘hairballs’ and had him administer pepto bismol!  Now apparently Friday night when he came back from work she haden’t eaten and was very weak.  He rushed her to a clinic and they ran all the blood tests and they came back clear.  They then suggested the only recourse was to scope her throat, but that it may now show anything.  They also mentioned that no clinic in London had that type of equipment so he’d have to take her to Guelph.  He has spent thousands of dollars in the last couple years, and money is not an issue for him, but he is concerned to put her through this surgery and perhaps suffering, with no definate chance of improving her life. Has anyone had similar experience, had this type of surgery, or even heard of the symtoms and to what it may be associated with?  I really hate to be a bother about this, but he is a very nice person and loves his cat Coco dearly, she’s his only company at home.  He’d be extremely grateful. Thanks everyone

Response:

Greetings group, I’m hoping someone may be able to help a co-worker of mine. He called me today, frantic about his domestic shorthair cat.  She is 2 years old and has had a chronic cough all her life.  He’s been very concerned throughout, taking her to many different vets when her symptoms occur but with varying results.  Some had her on antibiotics, and the cough did temporarily subside then again came back.  Other vets claimed it was ‘hairballs’ and had him administer pepto bismol!  Now apparently Friday night when he came back from work she haden’t eaten and was very weak.  He rushed her to a clinic and they ran all the blood tests and they came back clear.  They then suggested the only recourse was to scope her throat, but that it may now show anything.  They also mentioned that no clinic in London had that type of equipment so he’d have to take her to Guelph.  He has spent thousands of dollars in the last couple years, and money is not an issue for him, but he is concerned to put her through this surgery and perhaps suffering, with no definate chance of improving her life. Has anyone had similar experience, had this type of surgery, or even heard of the symtoms and to what it may be associated with?  I really hate to be a bother about this, but he is a very nice person and loves his cat Coco dearly, she’s his only company at home.  He’d be extremely grateful. Thanks everyone

Response:

If they are talking about scoping her throat, I believe they are talking about sticking an instrument down her throat to see what it looks like.  It is not major surgery.  I believe they use a laproscope or something.  It is a lot more safe then cutting her open to see what is wrong.  They can look all the way down into her stomach.  I would want that done before any surgery to see what is wrong.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Greetings group, I’m hoping someone may be able to help a co-worker of mine. He called me today, frantic about his domestic shorthair cat.  She is 2 years old and has had a chronic cough all her life.  He’s been very concerned throughout, taking her to many different vets when her symptoms occur but with varying results.  Some had her on antibiotics, and the cough did temporarily subside then again came back.  Other vets claimed it was ‘hairballs’ and had him administer pepto bismol!  Now apparently Friday night when he came back from work she haden’t eaten and was very weak.  He rushed her to a clinic and they ran all the blood tests and they came back clear.  They then suggested the only recourse was to scope her throat, but that it may now show anything.  They also mentioned that no clinic in London had that type of equipment so he’d have to take her to Guelph.  He has spent thousands of dollars in the last couple years, and money is not an issue for him, but he is concerned to put her through this surgery and perhaps suffering, with no definate chance of improving her life. Has anyone had similar experience, had this type of surgery, or even heard of the symtoms and to what it may be associated with?  I really hate to be a bother about this, but he is a very nice person and loves his cat Coco dearly, she’s his only company at home.  He’d be extremely grateful. Thanks everyone

Response:

Hi, If it were a person with a chronic cough, then I’d try to make sure that the following tests were done: 1. chest X-ray:  chronic cough could be a sign of a heart problem that shows up on x-ray. 2. tuberculosis can cause chronic cough:  signs of TB may be visible on chest X-ray.  There are antibiotics that can treat and cure TB. 3. using a camera to look into the throat and stomach sounds like a good idea. I’d consider looking in the stomach, since things like an active stomach ulcer or reflux/excess stomach acid could cause a chronic cough. 4. regarding antibiotics, some infectious agents can cause chronic cough.  In a person I’d try using a course of erythromycin in case it’s mycoplasm pneumoniae that is causing the caugh. Hope this helps, John M.D., 5/2001 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Greetings group, I’m hoping someone may be able to help a co-worker of mine. He called me today, frantic about his domestic shorthair cat.  She is 2 years old and has had a chronic cough all her life.  He’s been very concerned throughout, taking her to many different vets when her symptoms occur but with varying results.  Some had her on antibiotics, and the cough did temporarily subside then again came back.  Other vets claimed it was ‘hairballs’ and had him administer pepto bismol!  Now apparently Friday night when he came back from work she haden’t eaten and was very weak.  He rushed her to a clinic and they ran all the blood tests and they came back clear.  They then suggested the only recourse was to scope her throat, but that it may now show anything.  They also mentioned that no clinic in London had that type of equipment so he’d have to take her to Guelph.  He has spent thousands of dollars in the last couple years, and money is not an issue for him, but he is concerned to put her through this surgery and perhaps suffering, with no definate chance of improving her life. Has anyone had similar experience, had this type of surgery, or even heard of the symtoms and to what it may be associated with?  I really hate to be a bother about this, but he is a very nice person and loves his cat Coco dearly, she’s his only company at home.  He’d be extremely grateful. Thanks everyone

Response:

<BR My beautiful sweet baby girl died tonight.

Dear Nicole,      I am so sorry at the loss of your dear kitty, Xena.  Please accept my deepest condolences.  It is so hard to lose our beloved kitties and yes, she sounds like she had such a loving owner who will miss her greatly. Sincerely, Athene

Response:

Nicole My maggie had a nasty eye infection but it diagnosed as uper respitury infection(uri) So the vet prescribed her Cefa drops for the mouth and in about ten days she was ok but I have no idea but however I hope only the best for Xena. Please let me know the outcome,    Gina

My beautiful sweet baby girl died tonight.  I came home from work to find her breathing funny, rapidly and shallowly through her nose.  I rushed her to the emergency room.  They X-rayed her to find her kidney was absolutely huge ~ it had swelled to five times its normal size, most of that in the course of the day.  (The vet is perplexed and tells me the kidney is a solid mass, and whatever it was it was spreading to her other kidney and her heart as well.)  Her lungs were filled with fluid, and when they tried to insert a trach tube, she began to vomit and went into cardiac arrest. Rest in peace, my beloved Xena….  You were well loved during your all too short life. nicole —— http://www.harkenwood.org/~kaji

Response:

Nicole My maggie had a nasty eye infection but it diagnosed as uper respitury infection(uri) So the vet prescribed her Cefa drops for the mouth and in about ten days she was ok but I have no idea but however I hope only the best for Xena. Please let me know the outcome,    Gina

Response:

My baby girl, Xena (Warrior Kitten!), is sick, and I was wondering if anyone may recognize her symptoms. About two weeks ago I noticed one of her eyes was clouded over.  I took her to the vet the next day, and they gave me antibiotics to give her. The vet noted that Xena’s kidneys were "twice the size they should be" (her last exam had been in August and nothing strange was noted then) and expressed concerns about cancer and leukemia.  I had her tested for Feline Leukemia and she was thankfully negative. I gave Xena the pills faithfully (much to her chagrin).  The white cloudiness in her left eye began to fade, as did a reddish cloud that started to appear in her right eye.  I took her to the vet again for blood tests to further investigate her overly large kidneys, and the results came back today ~ her blood was fine, nothing out of the ordinary.  I had run out of antibiotics and Xena’s eyes began to cloud over again, so the vet gave me another 10 day supply and told me to keep a close eye on her for any other symptoms. I am puzzled and worried.  Xena’s appetite seems fine.  Her energy has been a bit low lately, but I think that is due to stress.  She’s almost two, spayed, and is strictly indoors, as is her brother, Tristan. Anyone have any ideas?  Does my Xena just have big kidneys and a nasty eye infection?  Has anyone experienced anything similar? nicole

Response:

Question:

Hi, I had this same problem with a cat a few years ago and turned out she has asthma. Getting to that diagnosis involved eliminating other potential problems (such as lung worm).  The vet could easily tell it was not a furball by listening to her lungs with a stethescope and they sounded like crinkling paper.  We can sometimes hear it by just putting our ear up to her side.  If it doesn’t get better after some home treatment take Zoe in.  Also, look for labored breathing (can you really see her sides moving in and out?  We can with our cat because it is so hard for her to get enough of a breath).

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi My Zoe puss has recently been coughing (more like dry retching) a lot in the last few days…I’ve never had a furball problem before, but I’m guessing that’s what it is. She’s eating fine, coat looks shiny and healthy as always, no discharges from anywhere, and no other visible outward symptoms. She seems happy in all other respects except when she sounds like she’s coughing up a lung (so to speak!). Does this sound like a possible case of furballs to anyone who may have experienced this before? If so, does anyone have any suggestions/remedies they’ve tried and tested? I’m using a vet recommended concoction which is cod-liver oil based, but it doesn’t seem to be helping. Any ideas how long it should take to fix the problem? All help would be appreciated, thanks — Kama

Response:

Hi Cathy, thanks for your reply… Yes, she seems perfectly happy when she stops retching, and yes, she does extend the neck during. Nothing has come up yet though, and this has been happening for three or four days now. I’m fairly sure it sounds like furballs, I just wanted someone to confirm the symptoms for me! She has absolutely no other symptoms, she doesn’t seem particularly troubled when this occurs, and is eating normally so I’m not taking her to the vet just yet, as they will undoubtedly find nothing, and would probably need to see it happening to give me a diagnosis – and the chances of her doing it on command are not great! I have been giving her some stuff which sounds a bit like the products you mentioned – only NZ brands It has yet to make any difference but I guess we’ll give it a little while longer and see what happens. Thanks again — Kama

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does she extend her neck, while retching?  Dies she act perfectly normal, as soon as she stops retching, acting like nothing ever happened – IOW, she doesn’t appear the least bit distressed?  Does she sometimes just spit up some clearish foamy stuff?  If she does, it’s probably just hairballs.  If you have any doubt, you could always take her in for a check-up, to put your mind at ease.  Also, when she finally does chuck up a hairball, it probably won’t look like what you imagined: looks more like a slimy tubular piece of poop – but if you look carefully, it’s really a (slimy!) dense mat of hair. Some hairballs take *forever* to finally come up, it seems You can give her ready-made, flavored remedies, such as Petromalt or Laxatone – available at your vet’s, or virtually any pet supply store. They’re basically flavored petroleum jelly, which helps to pass the hair on through – you’ll find traces of hair in the litter box, eventually. You can also try out the newer hairball foods: Science Diet makes one (but my cats didn’t like it!<g), as does Royal Canin (they do like they one), & I’m pretty sure I just read that some other cat food companies also have their own hairball formula foods.  I honestly don’t know how effective they really are though – maybe yes, maybe not. Cathy

Response:

Hi My Zoe puss has recently been coughing (more like dry retching) a lot in the last few days…I’ve never had a furball problem before, but I’m guessing that’s what it is. She’s eating fine, coat looks shiny and healthy as always, no discharges from anywhere, and no other visible outward symptoms. She seems happy in all other respects except when she sounds like she’s coughing up a lung (so to speak!). Does this sound like a possible case of furballs to anyone who may have experienced this before?

If a cat has hairballs they will usually vomit them up. Could be Roundworms (Toxocara species). When a cat contacts the eggs, they are swallowed and pass into the intestine, hatch into larvae, migrate through the liver, enter the lungs where they are coughed up and swallowed and return to the small intestine to develop into adults where the cycle starts again. Some other causes of coughing in a cat are Feline Heartworm Disease (Dirofilaria immitis) as well as several other parasites may inhabit or pass through the lungs as part of their life cycle, and Cat Asthma or Bronchial Asthma. Phil. —  "Cats have no masters, only friends" Feline Healthcare: http://maxshouse.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If so, does anyone have any suggestions/remedies they’ve tried and tested? I’m using a vet recommended concoction which is cod-liver oil based, but it doesn’t seem to be helping. Any ideas how long it should take to fix the problem? All help would be appreciated, thanks — Kama

Response:

Does she extend her neck, while retching?  Dies she act perfectly normal, as soon as she stops retching, acting like nothing ever happened – IOW, she doesn’t appear the least bit distressed?  Does she sometimes just spit up some clearish foamy stuff?  If she does, it’s probably just hairballs.  If you have any doubt, you could always take her in for a check-up, to put your mind at ease.  Also, when she finally does chuck up a hairball, it probably won’t look like what you imagined: looks more like a slimy tubular piece of poop – but if you look carefully, it’s really a (slimy!) dense mat of hair. Some hairballs take *forever* to finally come up, it seems You can give her ready-made, flavored remedies, such as Petromalt or Laxatone – available at your vet’s, or virtually any pet supply store. They’re basically flavored petroleum jelly, which helps to pass the hair on through – you’ll find traces of hair in the litter box, eventually. You can also try out the newer hairball foods: Science Diet makes one (but my cats didn’t like it!<g), as does Royal Canin (they do like they one), & I’m pretty sure I just read that some other cat food companies also have their own hairball formula foods.  I honestly don’t know how effective they really are though – maybe yes, maybe not. Cathy — "Decades gliding by like Indians, time is cheap."   Paul Simon ("Ren

Question:

Barb, Is Depo-Medol something new?  This is something I haven’t heard of, and would love to find out if it’s something my vet could use to treat Sabra.  I hate waiting for the pills to take effect, but the vet has not mentioned this to me before (he admittedly frankly says he is not an asthma expert).  Does the shot prevent attacks for three months?  Can it be given on a regular 3-month basis even without any symptoms?  Are there side-effects? I have seen several posts on this group from people with asthma, and this is the first I’ve heard of this medication.  Please share more about it with us. Thanks! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi CLAUDIA JEAN, My cat Frack has asthma (had the tracheal wash, tests, etc. a couple of years ago).  Anyway, I am finding success with shots for him.  He gets a shot of Depo-Medol about every 3 months.  I get him into the vet when I first hear him cough and the shot takes care of his asthma.  If you don’t get a kitty in to the vet when you hear them cough, they can get lung damage and that causes them to have more severe asthma and they are more prone to the attacks.  You need to keep a watchful eye on them and get them in at the first cough to help prevent future lung damage.  This is just my experience with Frack.  He was diagnosed with asthma about 2 years ago and the shot has been keeping him healthy and free of the congestion…so far.  I have never used the pills so I really don’t know anything about them. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Hi, I’m new here and need some info.My cat Sweetie is couging right now.She has had asthma attacks on and off since I rescued her.Athough, generally she responds to 05mg.prenisone so far tonight no luck.Wondering if anyone has any suggestions..of course if she does not respond to medication soon will take her to emergency vet. clinic..Her breathing is sounding bubbly..trying not to panic..but wondering why med. has not kicked in yet.Sorry, if this post is long..but I am rather nervous.Thanks in advance for your comments.

Response:

Hi Ginger-lyn, I am probably not nearly as well informed as I should be about this drug but it is helping Frack with his asthma and that is what matters.  Depo-Medrol is in the family of Corticosteroids (anti inflammatory drug).  I think a lot of kitties are taking Prednisone in pill form and this is a form of that (I think).  The injection is supposed to last for 10 weeks but it lasts Frack for about 3 and a half months (he then starts coughing so I take him in for another injection).  Most of the information I have on Depo-Medrol is for human use and I got this by surfing the web.  My vet did give me the option of giving Frack pills or the injection every few months.  Perhaps, Frack’s case of asthma is not as severe as some (don’t know).  The vet did tell me one of the side affects is a possible onset of diabetes later on in Frack’s life.  I hope I have been of some help to you.  Perhaps, your vet can give you more information. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Barb, Is Depo-Medol something new?  This is something I haven’t heard of, and would love to find out if it’s something my vet could use to treat Sabra.  I hate waiting for the pills to take effect, but the vet has not mentioned this to me before (he admittedly frankly says he is not an asthma expert).  Does the shot prevent attacks for three months?  Can it be given on a regular 3-month basis even without any symptoms?  Are there side-effects? I have seen several posts on this group from people with asthma, and this is the first I’ve heard of this medication.  Please share more about it with us. Thanks! Hi CLAUDIA JEAN, My cat Frack has asthma (had the tracheal wash, tests, etc. a couple of years ago).  Anyway, I am finding success with shots for him.  He gets a shot of Depo-Medol about every 3 months.  I get him into the vet when I first hear him cough and the shot takes care of his asthma.  If you don’t get a kitty in to the vet when you hear them cough, they can get lung damage and that causes them to have more severe asthma and they are more prone to the attacks.  You need to keep a watchful eye on them and get them in at the first cough to help prevent future lung damage.  This is just my experience with Frack.  He was diagnosed with asthma about 2 years ago and the shot has been keeping him healthy and free of the congestion…so far.  I have never used the pills so I really don’t know anything about them. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Hi, I’m new here and need some info.My cat Sweetie is couging right now.She has had asthma attacks on and off since I rescued her.Athough, generally she responds to 05mg.prenisone so far tonight no luck.Wondering if anyone has any suggestions..of course if she does not respond to medication soon will take her to emergency vet. clinic..Her breathing is sounding bubbly..trying not to panic..but wondering why med. has not kicked in yet.Sorry, if this post is long..but I am rather nervous.Thanks in advance for your comments.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just a caution about depomedrol shots.  I was taught that the chances of inducing diabetes are greater with depo shots than with orally administered steroids.  I encourage my clients to use oral meds vs depo shots. J. Martin DVM Is Depo-Medol something new? With my Lionel, who has numerous mostly inhalant allergies which have resulted in the past in periodic bouts of asthma, we used depo-medrol only now and again.  Once we reached the point where Lionel appear- ed to need it on a regular schedule, as his allergies worsened, we had a blood-panel done to identify his allergies, and began hyposensitiza- tion shots (I do these at home).  In the meantime, while the shots were taking effect (it took a couple months to begin to see results), I did my best to eliminate those allergens I could from the apartment. It’s my understanding that not all cases of cat asthma are connected to allergies, but that many are; so it might be worth looking into.  I do know that Lionel is doing *very* well these days — no wheezing, no itchiness, no fur-pulling, and not much snoring (he sleeps on my pillow with his nose by my ear, so I know when he snores!). Stacy Scott

Right now, Frack is getting a injection of Depo-Medrol about every 3 and a half months and he has no wheezing, coughing or any of the other symptoms between shots.  I do live in a highly congested area (very dusty and with a lot of exhaust fumes) at the present time.  I will be moving out in the country in a very rural setting at the end of May and I am hoping that Frack will not need the shots or, if he needs them, not need them more than a couple of times a year.  I think a lot of his problem stems from it being so polluted in the area that I live.  I will keep everyone posted. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’

Response:

Just a caution about depomedrol shots.  I was taught that the chances of inducing diabetes are greater with depo shots than with orally administered steroids.  I encourage my clients to use oral meds vs depo shots. J. Martin DVM Is Depo-Medol something new?

With my Lionel, who has numerous mostly inhalant allergies which have resulted in the past in periodic bouts of asthma, we used depo-medrol only now and again.  Once we reached the point where Lionel appear- ed to need it on a regular schedule, as his allergies worsened, we had a blood-panel done to identify his allergies, and began hyposensitiza- tion shots (I do these at home).  In the meantime, while the shots were taking effect (it took a couple months to begin to see results), I did my best to eliminate those allergens I could from the apartment. It’s my understanding that not all cases of cat asthma are connected to allergies, but that many are; so it might be worth looking into.  I do know that Lionel is doing *very* well these days — no wheezing, no itchiness, no fur-pulling, and not much snoring (he sleeps on my pillow with his nose by my ear, so I know when he snores!). Stacy Scott

Response:

Hello, all you asthma-kitty private duty nurses!   Corticosteroids can indeed bring on diabetes, but also lots of other yucky things like Cushing’s Disease! If you run into trouble with prednisone, your vet can instruct you how to wean the kitty off of it within a few days. With a Depo-Medrol shot, what can you do?     It is important to try to keep the symptoms away instead of waiting until there’s wheezing to treat. My cat was first put on Aminophyllin, which was very unsatisfactory. He would run around all jazzed up (bronchiodilators are stimulants) while still wheezing!     I finally wised up. As a pediatric nurse, I would administer Slophyllin Gyrocaps to asthmatic infants with good results. It looks like Dristan – all those little timed-release beads inside a gelatin capsule. The vet was willing to experiment and gave me a prescription (had to buy it at a drugstore). Max got 1/2 of the infant dose, but I don’t remember if he got it once a day or twice. I also got a prescription for empty gelatin capsules to pour the other 1/2 of the beads into, prednisone, and whatever else, so that I only had one capsule to stick down his throat. Dipping the gelatin capsule in a little water prior to administration made it slippery so it slid right down. After that, Max’s asthma was well controlled right up until his death years later. No more wheezing!     But first things first: have the asthma cats here been conclusively diagnosed? A chest x-ray will point the vet in the right direction, but if you can swing it, a bronchoscopy with bronchial washings can tell you for sure if it’s asthma or something entirely different that is easily curable. My vet sent Max to Cornell’s Small Animal Clinic for his bronchoscopy. Although he took a big chunk out of the resident’s thumb, the staff was all very nice and caring. The resident was truly sorry that Max didn’t have something he could cure.     Once I got Max on medication that was appropriate for him, his asthma stayed under control. Theodur would probably also work as well. It is another timed-release aminophyllin, but in tablet form. You could use a pill guillotine to cut the tablets into smaller doses. Good luck! Pam DaMonium

Response:

Just a caution about depomedrol shots.  I was taught that the chances of inducing diabetes are greater with depo shots than with orally administered steroids.  I encourage my clients to use oral meds vs depo shots. J. Martin DVM – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Barb, Is Depo-Medol something new?  This is something I haven’t heard of, and would love to find out if it’s something my vet could use to treat Sabra.  I hate waiting for the pills to take effect, but the vet has not mentioned this to me before (he admittedly frankly says he is not an asthma expert).  Does the shot prevent attacks for three months?  Can it be given on a regular 3-month basis even without any symptoms?  Are there side-effects? I have seen several posts on this group from people with asthma, and this is the first I’ve heard of this medication.  Please share more about it with us. Thanks! Hi CLAUDIA JEAN, My cat Frack has asthma (had the tracheal wash, tests, etc. a couple of years ago).  Anyway, I am finding success with shots for him.  He gets a shot of Depo-Medol about every 3 months.  I get him into the vet when I first hear him cough and the shot takes care of his asthma.  If you don’t get a kitty in to the vet when you hear them cough, they can get lung damage and that causes them to have more severe asthma and they are more prone to the attacks.  You need to keep a watchful eye on them and get them in at the first cough to help prevent future lung damage.  This is just my experience with Frack.  He was diagnosed with asthma about 2 years ago and the shot has been keeping him healthy and free of the congestion…so far.  I have never used the pills so I really don’t know anything about them. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Hi, I’m new here and need some info.My cat Sweetie is couging right now.She has had asthma attacks on and off since I rescued her.Athough, generally she responds to 05mg.prenisone so far tonight no luck.Wondering if anyone has any suggestions..of course if she does not respond to medication soon will take her to emergency vet. clinic..Her breathing is sounding bubbly..trying not to panic..but wondering why med. has not kicked in yet.Sorry, if this post is long..but I am rather nervous.Thanks in advance for your comments.

Response:

Thanks so much for all the info!  I’ll be asking my vet about this option for Sabra.  In spite of the worry of diabetes, with his attacks becoming more frequent, hopefully it will be a better option for him.  He’s also around 11 years old, so maybe the likelihood of diabetes will be less for him in the future. Thanks again. Ginger-lyn – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The Veterinary Hospital that I go to is a very modern facility with the latest treatments for different diseases so maybe that is why Frack was offered the injection instead of the pills and bronchodilators. http://www.cfainc.org/health/asthma.html — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Here is a web site that I visited that has some information about injections. http://www.vetinfo.com/casthma.html — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Hi Ginger-lyn, I am probably not nearly as well informed as I should be about this drug but it is helping Frack with his asthma and that is what matters. Depo-Medrol is in the family of Corticosteroids (anti inflammatory drug).  I think a lot of kitties are taking Prednisone in pill form and this is a form of that (I think).  The injection is supposed to last for 10 weeks but it lasts Frack for about 3 and a half months (he then starts coughing so I take him in for another injection).  Most of the information I have on Depo-Medrol is for human use and I got this by surfing the web.  My vet did give me the option of giving Frack pills or the injection every few months.  Perhaps, Frack’s case of asthma is not as severe as some (don’t know).  The vet did tell me one of the side affects is a possible onset of diabetes later on in Frack’s life.  I hope I have been of some help to you.  Perhaps, your vet can give you more information. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Barb, Is Depo-Medol something new?  This is something I haven’t heard of, and would love to find out if it’s something my vet could use to treat Sabra.  I hate waiting for the pills to take effect, but the vet has not mentioned this to me before (he admittedly frankly says he is not an asthma expert).  Does the shot prevent attacks for three months?  Can it be given on a regular 3-month basis even without any symptoms?  Are there side-effects? I have seen several posts on this group from people with asthma, and this is the first I’ve heard of this medication.  Please share more about it with us. Thanks! Hi CLAUDIA JEAN, My cat Frack has asthma (had the tracheal wash, tests, etc. a couple of years ago).  Anyway, I am finding success with shots for him.  He gets a shot of Depo-Medol about every 3 months.  I get him into the vet when I first hear him cough and the shot takes care of his asthma.  If you don’t get a kitty in to the vet when you hear them cough, they can get lung damage and that causes them to have more severe asthma and they are more prone to the attacks.  You need to keep a watchful eye on them and get them in at the first cough to help prevent future lung damage.  This is just my experience with Frack.  He was diagnosed with asthma about 2 years ago and the shot has been keeping him healthy and free of the congestion…so far.  I have never used the pills so I really don’t know anything about them. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Hi, I’m new here and need some info.My cat Sweetie is couging right now.She has had asthma attacks on and off since I rescued her.Athough, generally she responds to 05mg.prenisone so far tonight no luck.Wondering if anyone has any suggestions..of course if she does not respond to medication soon will take her to emergency vet. clinic..Her breathing is sounding bubbly..trying not to panic..but wondering why med. has not kicked in yet.Sorry, if this post is long..but I am rather nervous.Thanks in advance for your comments.

Response:

Barb, Is Depo-Medol something new?  This is something I haven’t heard of, and would love to find out if it’s something my vet could use to treat Sabra.  I hate waiting for the pills to take effect, but the vet has not mentioned this to me before (he admittedly frankly says he is not an asthma expert).  Does the shot prevent attacks for three months?  Can it be given on a regular 3-month basis even without any symptoms?  Are there side-effects? I have seen several posts on this group from people with asthma, and this is the first I’ve heard of this medication.  Please share more about it with us.

I’m not familiar with Depo-Medol but if it is an injectable steroid, a possible side effect could be diabetes.   Patty, owned by 4 cats, 3 rat and 5 mice

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Barb, Is Depo-Medol something new?  This is something I haven’t heard of, and would love to find out if it’s something my vet could use to treat Sabra.  I hate waiting for the pills to take effect, but the vet has not mentioned this to me before (he admittedly frankly says he is not an asthma expert).  Does the shot prevent attacks for three months?  Can it be given on a regular 3-month basis even without any symptoms?  Are there side-effects? I have seen several posts on this group from people with asthma, and this is the first I’ve heard of this medication.  Please share more about it with us. I’m not familiar with Depo-Medol but if it is an injectable steroid, a possible side effect could be diabetes. Patty, owned by 4 cats, 3 rat and 5 mice

Yes!  You are right about the possibility of diabetes being a side effect later on in life because my vet did tell me that.  I guess I think it is more important to keep Frack’s asthma under control then for him to have severe attacks and cause permanent lung damage.  Right now, I am using a air purifier as well as trying to keep the house as dust free as possible.  I will be moving out of this highly congested and polluted area that I live in shortly and into a country setting so I am hoping that it will help him eventually get off his medication completely. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’

Response:

Let us know if the move does help.  I wonder about that, too.  I have gone to better-grade litter to cut down on dust, but I live in the middle of a large city, so the dust is rampant and impossible to fully control. I’ve also wondered about acupuncture treatments helping with asthma.  We have a vet here who does that, and I’m considering consulting him about whether that would help. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Barb, Is Depo-Medol something new?  This is something I haven’t heard of, and would love to find out if it’s something my vet could use to treat Sabra.  I hate waiting for the pills to take effect, but the vet has not mentioned this to me before (he admittedly frankly says he is not an asthma expert).  Does the shot prevent attacks for three months?  Can it be given on a regular 3-month basis even without any symptoms?  Are there side-effects? I have seen several posts on this group from people with asthma, and this is the first I’ve heard of this medication.  Please share more about it with us. I’m not familiar with Depo-Medol but if it is an injectable steroid, a possible side effect could be diabetes. Patty, owned by 4 cats, 3 rat and 5 mice Yes!  You are right about the possibility of diabetes being a side effect later on in life because my vet did tell me that.  I guess I think it is more important to keep Frack’s asthma under control then for him to have severe attacks and cause permanent lung damage.  Right now, I am using a air purifier as well as trying to keep the house as dust free as possible.  I will be moving out of this highly congested and polluted area that I live in shortly and into a country setting so I am hoping that it will help him eventually get off his medication completely. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’

Response:

The Veterinary Hospital that I go to is a very modern facility with the latest treatments for different diseases so maybe that is why Frack was offered the injection instead of the pills and bronchodilators. http://www.cfainc.org/health/asthma.html — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Here is a web site that I visited that has some information about injections. http://www.vetinfo.com/casthma.html — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Hi Ginger-lyn, I am probably not nearly as well informed as I should be about this drug but it is helping Frack with his asthma and that is what matters. Depo-Medrol is in the family of Corticosteroids (anti inflammatory drug).  I think a lot of kitties are taking Prednisone in pill form and this is a form of that (I think).  The injection is supposed to last for 10 weeks but it lasts Frack for about 3 and a half months (he then starts coughing so I take him in for another injection).  Most of the information I have on Depo-Medrol is for human use and I got this by surfing the web.  My vet did give me the option of giving Frack pills or the injection every few months.  Perhaps, Frack’s case of asthma is not as severe as some (don’t know).  The vet did tell me one of the side affects is a possible onset of diabetes later on in Frack’s life.  I hope I have been of some help to you.  Perhaps, your vet can give you more information. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Barb, Is Depo-Medol something new?  This is something I haven’t heard of, and would love to find out if it’s something my vet could use to treat Sabra.  I hate waiting for the pills to take effect, but the vet has not mentioned this to me before (he admittedly frankly says he is not an asthma expert).  Does the shot prevent attacks for three months?  Can it be given on a regular 3-month basis even without any symptoms?  Are there side-effects? I have seen several posts on this group from people with asthma, and this is the first I’ve heard of this medication.  Please share more about it with us. Thanks! Hi CLAUDIA JEAN, My cat Frack has asthma (had the tracheal wash, tests, etc. a couple of years ago).  Anyway, I am finding success with shots for him.  He gets a shot of Depo-Medol about every 3 months.  I get him into the vet when I first hear him cough and the shot takes care of his asthma.  If you don’t get a kitty in to the vet when you hear them cough, they can get lung damage and that causes them to have more severe asthma and they are more prone to the attacks.  You need to keep a watchful eye on them and get them in at the first cough to help prevent future lung damage.  This is just my experience with Frack.  He was diagnosed with asthma about 2 years ago and the shot has been keeping him healthy and free of the congestion…so far.  I have never used the pills so I really don’t know anything about them. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Hi, I’m new here and need some info.My cat Sweetie is couging right now.She has had asthma attacks on and off since I rescued her.Athough, generally she responds to 05mg.prenisone so far tonight no luck.Wondering if anyone has any suggestions..of course if she does not respond to medication soon will take her to emergency vet. clinic..Her breathing is sounding bubbly..trying not to panic..but wondering why med. has not kicked in yet.Sorry, if this post is long..but I am rather nervous.Thanks in advance for your comments.

Response:

Here is a web site that I visited that has some information about injections. http://www.vetinfo.com/casthma.html — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Ginger-lyn, I am probably not nearly as well informed as I should be about this drug but it is helping Frack with his asthma and that is what matters.  Depo-Medrol is in the family of Corticosteroids (anti inflammatory drug).  I think a lot of kitties are taking Prednisone in pill form and this is a form of that (I think).  The injection is supposed to last for 10 weeks but it lasts Frack for about 3 and a half months (he then starts coughing so I take him in for another injection).  Most of the information I have on Depo-Medrol is for human use and I got this by surfing the web.  My vet did give me the option of giving Frack pills or the injection every few months.  Perhaps, Frack’s case of asthma is not as severe as some (don’t know).  The vet did tell me one of the side affects is a possible onset of diabetes later on in Frack’s life.  I hope I have been of some help to you.  Perhaps, your vet can give you more information. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Barb, Is Depo-Medol something new?  This is something I haven’t heard of, and would love to find out if it’s something my vet could use to treat Sabra.  I hate waiting for the pills to take effect, but the vet has not mentioned this to me before (he admittedly frankly says he is not an asthma expert).  Does the shot prevent attacks for three months?  Can it be given on a regular 3-month basis even without any symptoms?  Are there side-effects? I have seen several posts on this group from people with asthma, and this is the first I’ve heard of this medication.  Please share more about it with us. Thanks! Hi CLAUDIA JEAN, My cat Frack has asthma (had the tracheal wash, tests, etc. a couple of years ago).  Anyway, I am finding success with shots for him.  He gets a shot of Depo-Medol about every 3 months.  I get him into the vet when I first hear him cough and the shot takes care of his asthma.  If you don’t get a kitty in to the vet when you hear them cough, they can get lung damage and that causes them to have more severe asthma and they are more prone to the attacks.  You need to keep a watchful eye on them and get them in at the first cough to help prevent future lung damage.  This is just my experience with Frack.  He was diagnosed with asthma about 2 years ago and the shot has been keeping him healthy and free of the congestion…so far.  I have never used the pills so I really don’t know anything about them. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Hi, I’m new here and need some info.My cat Sweetie is couging right now.She has had asthma attacks on and off since I rescued her.Athough, generally she responds to 05mg.prenisone so far tonight no luck.Wondering if anyone has any suggestions..of course if she does not respond to medication soon will take her to emergency vet. clinic..Her breathing is sounding bubbly..trying not to panic..but wondering why med. has not kicked in yet.Sorry, if this post is long..but I am rather nervous.Thanks in advance for your comments.

Response:

Hi, I’m new here and need some info.My cat Sweetie is couging right now.She has had asthma attacks on and off since I rescued her.Athough, generally she responds to 05mg.prenisone so far tonight no luck.Wondering if anyone has any suggestions..of course if she does not respond to medication soon will take her to emergency vet. clinic..Her breathing is sounding bubbly..trying not to panic..but wondering why med. has not kicked in yet.Sorry, if this post is long..but I am rather nervous.Thanks in advance for your comments.

Response:

Claudia Jean, You didn’t say how long it’s been since you gave her the medication.  I treat my asthmatic cat Sabra with prednisone, and it can take 12 hours or more to work (if it hasn’t worked in 12 hours, a second pill is given).  Does she seem to be very panicky and distressed?  I have been treating Sabra for several years for asthma with Prednisone successfully, but last month, he had an extremely severe attack (for some unknown reason), and had to be taken to the emergency vet and given a quicker-acting shot along with oxygen.  If you’re concerned, I would take her to the vet as soon as possible, particularly if this attack seems more severe than normal and she is in a great deal of distress. Hope this helps. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I’m new here and need some info.My cat Sweetie is couging right now.She has had asthma attacks on and off since I rescued her.Athough, generally she responds to 05mg.prenisone so far tonight no luck.Wondering if anyone has any suggestions..of course if she does not respond to medication soon will take her to emergency vet. clinic..Her breathing is sounding bubbly..trying not to panic..but wondering why med. has not kicked in yet.Sorry, if this post is long..but I am rather nervous.Thanks in advance for your comments.

Response:

Hi CLAUDIA JEAN, My cat Frack has asthma (had the tracheal wash, tests, etc. a couple of years ago).  Anyway, I am finding success with shots for him.  He gets a shot of Depo-Medol about every 3 months.  I get him into the vet when I first hear him cough and the shot takes care of his asthma.  If you don’t get a kitty in to the vet when you hear them cough, they can get lung damage and that causes them to have more severe asthma and they are more prone to the attacks.  You need to keep a watchful eye on them and get them in at the first cough to help prevent future lung damage.  This is just my experience with Frack.  He was diagnosed with asthma about 2 years ago and the shot has been keeping him healthy and free of the congestion…so far.  I have never used the pills so I really don’t know anything about them. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I’m new here and need some info.My cat Sweetie is couging right now.She has had asthma attacks on and off since I rescued her.Athough, generally she responds to 05mg.prenisone so far tonight no luck.Wondering if anyone has any suggestions..of course if she does not respond to medication soon will take her to emergency vet. clinic..Her breathing is sounding bubbly..trying not to panic..but wondering why med. has not kicked in yet.Sorry, if this post is long..but I am rather nervous.Thanks in advance for your comments.

Response:

Barb, Is Depo-Medol something new?  This is something I haven’t heard of, and would love to find out if it’s something my vet could use to treat Sabra.  I hate waiting for the pills to take effect, but the vet has not mentioned this to me before (he admittedly frankly says he is not an asthma expert).  Does the shot prevent attacks for three months?  Can it be given on a regular 3-month basis even without any symptoms?  Are there side-effects? I have seen several posts on this group from people with asthma, and this is the first I’ve heard of this medication.  Please share more about it with us. Thanks! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi CLAUDIA JEAN, My cat Frack has asthma (had the tracheal wash, tests, etc. a couple of years ago).  Anyway, I am finding success with shots for him.  He gets a shot of Depo-Medol about every 3 months.  I get him into the vet when I first hear him cough and the shot takes care of his asthma.  If you don’t get a kitty in to the vet when you hear them cough, they can get lung damage and that causes them to have more severe asthma and they are more prone to the attacks.  You need to keep a watchful eye on them and get them in at the first cough to help prevent future lung damage.  This is just my experience with Frack.  He was diagnosed with asthma about 2 years ago and the shot has been keeping him healthy and free of the congestion…so far.  I have never used the pills so I really don’t know anything about them. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Hi, I’m new here and need some info.My cat Sweetie is couging right now.She has had asthma attacks on and off since I rescued her.Athough, generally she responds to 05mg.prenisone so far tonight no luck.Wondering if anyone has any suggestions..of course if she does not respond to medication soon will take her to emergency vet. clinic..Her breathing is sounding bubbly..trying not to panic..but wondering why med. has not kicked in yet.Sorry, if this post is long..but I am rather nervous.Thanks in advance for your comments.

Response:

Hi Ginger-lyn, I am probably not nearly as well informed as I should be about this drug but it is helping Frack with his asthma and that is what matters.  Depo-Medrol is in the family of Corticosteroids (anti inflammatory drug).  I think a lot of kitties are taking Prednisone in pill form and this is a form of that (I think).  The injection is supposed to last for 10 weeks but it lasts Frack for about 3 and a half months (he then starts coughing so I take him in for another injection).  Most of the information I have on Depo-Medrol is for human use and I got this by surfing the web.  My vet did give me the option of giving Frack pills or the injection every few months.  Perhaps, Frack’s case of asthma is not as severe as some (don’t know).  The vet did tell me one of the side affects is a possible onset of diabetes later on in Frack’s life.  I hope I have been of some help to you.  Perhaps, your vet can give you more information. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Barb, Is Depo-Medol something new?  This is something I haven’t heard of, and would love to find out if it’s something my vet could use to treat Sabra.  I hate waiting for the pills to take effect, but the vet has not mentioned this to me before (he admittedly frankly says he is not an asthma expert).  Does the shot prevent attacks for three months?  Can it be given on a regular 3-month basis even without any symptoms?  Are there side-effects? I have seen several posts on this group from people with asthma, and this is the first I’ve heard of this medication.  Please share more about it with us. Thanks! Hi CLAUDIA JEAN, My cat Frack has asthma (had the tracheal wash, tests, etc. a couple of years ago).  Anyway, I am finding success with shots for him.  He gets a shot of Depo-Medol about every 3 months.  I get him into the vet when I first hear him cough and the shot takes care of his asthma.  If you don’t get a kitty in to the vet when you hear them cough, they can get lung damage and that causes them to have more severe asthma and they are more prone to the attacks.  You need to keep a watchful eye on them and get them in at the first cough to help prevent future lung damage.  This is just my experience with Frack.  He was diagnosed with asthma about 2 years ago and the shot has been keeping him healthy and free of the congestion…so far.  I have never used the pills so I really don’t know anything about them. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Hi, I’m new here and need some info.My cat Sweetie is couging right now.She has had asthma attacks on and off since I rescued her.Athough, generally she responds to 05mg.prenisone so far tonight no luck.Wondering if anyone has any suggestions..of course if she does not respond to medication soon will take her to emergency vet. clinic..Her breathing is sounding bubbly..trying not to panic..but wondering why med. has not kicked in yet.Sorry, if this post is long..but I am rather nervous.Thanks in advance for your comments.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just a caution about depomedrol shots.  I was taught that the chances of inducing diabetes are greater with depo shots than with orally administered steroids.  I encourage my clients to use oral meds vs depo shots. J. Martin DVM Is Depo-Medol something new? With my Lionel, who has numerous mostly inhalant allergies which have resulted in the past in periodic bouts of asthma, we used depo-medrol only now and again.  Once we reached the point where Lionel appear- ed to need it on a regular schedule, as his allergies worsened, we had a blood-panel done to identify his allergies, and began hyposensitiza- tion shots (I do these at home).  In the meantime, while the shots were taking effect (it took a couple months to begin to see results), I did my best to eliminate those allergens I could from the apartment. It’s my understanding that not all cases of cat asthma are connected to allergies, but that many are; so it might be worth looking into.  I do know that Lionel is doing *very* well these days — no wheezing, no itchiness, no fur-pulling, and not much snoring (he sleeps on my pillow with his nose by my ear, so I know when he snores!). Stacy Scott

Right now, Frack is getting a injection of Depo-Medrol about every 3 and a half months and he has no wheezing, coughing or any of the other symptoms between shots.  I do live in a highly congested area (very dusty and with a lot of exhaust fumes) at the present time.  I will be moving out in the country in a very rural setting at the end of May and I am hoping that Frack will not need the shots or, if he needs them, not need them more than a couple of times a year.  I think a lot of his problem stems from it being so polluted in the area that I live.  I will keep everyone posted. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’

Response:

Just a caution about depomedrol shots.  I was taught that the chances of inducing diabetes are greater with depo shots than with orally administered steroids.  I encourage my clients to use oral meds vs depo shots. J. Martin DVM Is Depo-Medol something new?

With my Lionel, who has numerous mostly inhalant allergies which have resulted in the past in periodic bouts of asthma, we used depo-medrol only now and again.  Once we reached the point where Lionel appear- ed to need it on a regular schedule, as his allergies worsened, we had a blood-panel done to identify his allergies, and began hyposensitiza- tion shots (I do these at home).  In the meantime, while the shots were taking effect (it took a couple months to begin to see results), I did my best to eliminate those allergens I could from the apartment. It’s my understanding that not all cases of cat asthma are connected to allergies, but that many are; so it might be worth looking into.  I do know that Lionel is doing *very* well these days — no wheezing, no itchiness, no fur-pulling, and not much snoring (he sleeps on my pillow with his nose by my ear, so I know when he snores!). Stacy Scott

Response:

Hello, all you asthma-kitty private duty nurses!   Corticosteroids can indeed bring on diabetes, but also lots of other yucky things like Cushing’s Disease! If you run into trouble with prednisone, your vet can instruct you how to wean the kitty off of it within a few days. With a Depo-Medrol shot, what can you do?     It is important to try to keep the symptoms away instead of waiting until there’s wheezing to treat. My cat was first put on Aminophyllin, which was very unsatisfactory. He would run around all jazzed up (bronchiodilators are stimulants) while still wheezing!     I finally wised up. As a pediatric nurse, I would administer Slophyllin Gyrocaps to asthmatic infants with good results. It looks like Dristan – all those little timed-release beads inside a gelatin capsule. The vet was willing to experiment and gave me a prescription (had to buy it at a drugstore). Max got 1/2 of the infant dose, but I don’t remember if he got it once a day or twice. I also got a prescription for empty gelatin capsules to pour the other 1/2 of the beads into, prednisone, and whatever else, so that I only had one capsule to stick down his throat. Dipping the gelatin capsule in a little water prior to administration made it slippery so it slid right down. After that, Max’s asthma was well controlled right up until his death years later. No more wheezing!     But first things first: have the asthma cats here been conclusively diagnosed? A chest x-ray will point the vet in the right direction, but if you can swing it, a bronchoscopy with bronchial washings can tell you for sure if it’s asthma or something entirely different that is easily curable. My vet sent Max to Cornell’s Small Animal Clinic for his bronchoscopy. Although he took a big chunk out of the resident’s thumb, the staff was all very nice and caring. The resident was truly sorry that Max didn’t have something he could cure.     Once I got Max on medication that was appropriate for him, his asthma stayed under control. Theodur would probably also work as well. It is another timed-release aminophyllin, but in tablet form. You could use a pill guillotine to cut the tablets into smaller doses. Good luck! Pam DaMonium

Response:

Just a caution about depomedrol shots.  I was taught that the chances of inducing diabetes are greater with depo shots than with orally administered steroids.  I encourage my clients to use oral meds vs depo shots. J. Martin DVM – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Barb, Is Depo-Medol something new?  This is something I haven’t heard of, and would love to find out if it’s something my vet could use to treat Sabra.  I hate waiting for the pills to take effect, but the vet has not mentioned this to me before (he admittedly frankly says he is not an asthma expert).  Does the shot prevent attacks for three months?  Can it be given on a regular 3-month basis even without any symptoms?  Are there side-effects? I have seen several posts on this group from people with asthma, and this is the first I’ve heard of this medication.  Please share more about it with us. Thanks! Hi CLAUDIA JEAN, My cat Frack has asthma (had the tracheal wash, tests, etc. a couple of years ago).  Anyway, I am finding success with shots for him.  He gets a shot of Depo-Medol about every 3 months.  I get him into the vet when I first hear him cough and the shot takes care of his asthma.  If you don’t get a kitty in to the vet when you hear them cough, they can get lung damage and that causes them to have more severe asthma and they are more prone to the attacks.  You need to keep a watchful eye on them and get them in at the first cough to help prevent future lung damage.  This is just my experience with Frack.  He was diagnosed with asthma about 2 years ago and the shot has been keeping him healthy and free of the congestion…so far.  I have never used the pills so I really don’t know anything about them. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Hi, I’m new here and need some info.My cat Sweetie is couging right now.She has had asthma attacks on and off since I rescued her.Athough, generally she responds to 05mg.prenisone so far tonight no luck.Wondering if anyone has any suggestions..of course if she does not respond to medication soon will take her to emergency vet. clinic..Her breathing is sounding bubbly..trying not to panic..but wondering why med. has not kicked in yet.Sorry, if this post is long..but I am rather nervous.Thanks in advance for your comments.

Response:

Thanks so much for all the info!  I’ll be asking my vet about this option for Sabra.  In spite of the worry of diabetes, with his attacks becoming more frequent, hopefully it will be a better option for him.  He’s also around 11 years old, so maybe the likelihood of diabetes will be less for him in the future. Thanks again. Ginger-lyn – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The Veterinary Hospital that I go to is a very modern facility with the latest treatments for different diseases so maybe that is why Frack was offered the injection instead of the pills and bronchodilators. http://www.cfainc.org/health/asthma.html — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Here is a web site that I visited that has some information about injections. http://www.vetinfo.com/casthma.html — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Hi Ginger-lyn, I am probably not nearly as well informed as I should be about this drug but it is helping Frack with his asthma and that is what matters. Depo-Medrol is in the family of Corticosteroids (anti inflammatory drug).  I think a lot of kitties are taking Prednisone in pill form and this is a form of that (I think).  The injection is supposed to last for 10 weeks but it lasts Frack for about 3 and a half months (he then starts coughing so I take him in for another injection).  Most of the information I have on Depo-Medrol is for human use and I got this by surfing the web.  My vet did give me the option of giving Frack pills or the injection every few months.  Perhaps, Frack’s case of asthma is not as severe as some (don’t know).  The vet did tell me one of the side affects is a possible onset of diabetes later on in Frack’s life.  I hope I have been of some help to you.  Perhaps, your vet can give you more information. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Barb, Is Depo-Medol something new?  This is something I haven’t heard of, and would love to find out if it’s something my vet could use to treat Sabra.  I hate waiting for the pills to take effect, but the vet has not mentioned this to me before (he admittedly frankly says he is not an asthma expert).  Does the shot prevent attacks for three months?  Can it be given on a regular 3-month basis even without any symptoms?  Are there side-effects? I have seen several posts on this group from people with asthma, and this is the first I’ve heard of this medication.  Please share more about it with us. Thanks! Hi CLAUDIA JEAN, My cat Frack has asthma (had the tracheal wash, tests, etc. a couple of years ago).  Anyway, I am finding success with shots for him.  He gets a shot of Depo-Medol about every 3 months.  I get him into the vet when I first hear him cough and the shot takes care of his asthma.  If you don’t get a kitty in to the vet when you hear them cough, they can get lung damage and that causes them to have more severe asthma and they are more prone to the attacks.  You need to keep a watchful eye on them and get them in at the first cough to help prevent future lung damage.  This is just my experience with Frack.  He was diagnosed with asthma about 2 years ago and the shot has been keeping him healthy and free of the congestion…so far.  I have never used the pills so I really don’t know anything about them. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Hi, I’m new here and need some info.My cat Sweetie is couging right now.She has had asthma attacks on and off since I rescued her.Athough, generally she responds to 05mg.prenisone so far tonight no luck.Wondering if anyone has any suggestions..of course if she does not respond to medication soon will take her to emergency vet. clinic..Her breathing is sounding bubbly..trying not to panic..but wondering why med. has not kicked in yet.Sorry, if this post is long..but I am rather nervous.Thanks in advance for your comments.

Response:

Barb, Is Depo-Medol something new?  This is something I haven’t heard of, and would love to find out if it’s something my vet could use to treat Sabra.  I hate waiting for the pills to take effect, but the vet has not mentioned this to me before (he admittedly frankly says he is not an asthma expert).  Does the shot prevent attacks for three months?  Can it be given on a regular 3-month basis even without any symptoms?  Are there side-effects? I have seen several posts on this group from people with asthma, and this is the first I’ve heard of this medication.  Please share more about it with us.

I’m not familiar with Depo-Medol but if it is an injectable steroid, a possible side effect could be diabetes.   Patty, owned by 4 cats, 3 rat and 5 mice

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Barb, Is Depo-Medol something new?  This is something I haven’t heard of, and would love to find out if it’s something my vet could use to treat Sabra.  I hate waiting for the pills to take effect, but the vet has not mentioned this to me before (he admittedly frankly says he is not an asthma expert).  Does the shot prevent attacks for three months?  Can it be given on a regular 3-month basis even without any symptoms?  Are there side-effects? I have seen several posts on this group from people with asthma, and this is the first I’ve heard of this medication.  Please share more about it with us. I’m not familiar with Depo-Medol but if it is an injectable steroid, a possible side effect could be diabetes. Patty, owned by 4 cats, 3 rat and 5 mice

Yes!  You are right about the possibility of diabetes being a side effect later on in life because my vet did tell me that.  I guess I think it is more important to keep Frack’s asthma under control then for him to have severe attacks and cause permanent lung damage.  Right now, I am using a air purifier as well as trying to keep the house as dust free as possible.  I will be moving out of this highly congested and polluted area that I live in shortly and into a country setting so I am hoping that it will help him eventually get off his medication completely. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’

Response:

Let us know if the move does help.  I wonder about that, too.  I have gone to better-grade litter to cut down on dust, but I live in the middle of a large city, so the dust is rampant and impossible to fully control. I’ve also wondered about acupuncture treatments helping with asthma.  We have a vet here who does that, and I’m considering consulting him about whether that would help. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Barb, Is Depo-Medol something new?  This is something I haven’t heard of, and would love to find out if it’s something my vet could use to treat Sabra.  I hate waiting for the pills to take effect, but the vet has not mentioned this to me before (he admittedly frankly says he is not an asthma expert).  Does the shot prevent attacks for three months?  Can it be given on a regular 3-month basis even without any symptoms?  Are there side-effects? I have seen several posts on this group from people with asthma, and this is the first I’ve heard of this medication.  Please share more about it with us. I’m not familiar with Depo-Medol but if it is an injectable steroid, a possible side effect could be diabetes. Patty, owned by 4 cats, 3 rat and 5 mice Yes!  You are right about the possibility of diabetes being a side effect later on in life because my vet did tell me that.  I guess I think it is more important to keep Frack’s asthma under control then for him to have severe attacks and cause permanent lung damage.  Right now, I am using a air purifier as well as trying to keep the house as dust free as possible.  I will be moving out of this highly congested and polluted area that I live in shortly and into a country setting so I am hoping that it will help him eventually get off his medication completely. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’

Response:

The Veterinary Hospital that I go to is a very modern facility with the latest treatments for different diseases so maybe that is why Frack was offered the injection instead of the pills and bronchodilators. http://www.cfainc.org/health/asthma.html — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Here is a web site that I visited that has some information about injections. http://www.vetinfo.com/casthma.html — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Hi Ginger-lyn, I am probably not nearly as well informed as I should be about this drug but it is helping Frack with his asthma and that is what matters. Depo-Medrol is in the family of Corticosteroids (anti inflammatory drug).  I think a lot of kitties are taking Prednisone in pill form and this is a form of that (I think).  The injection is supposed to last for 10 weeks but it lasts Frack for about 3 and a half months (he then starts coughing so I take him in for another injection).  Most of the information I have on Depo-Medrol is for human use and I got this by surfing the web.  My vet did give me the option of giving Frack pills or the injection every few months.  Perhaps, Frack’s case of asthma is not as severe as some (don’t know).  The vet did tell me one of the side affects is a possible onset of diabetes later on in Frack’s life.  I hope I have been of some help to you.  Perhaps, your vet can give you more information. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Barb, Is Depo-Medol something new?  This is something I haven’t heard of, and would love to find out if it’s something my vet could use to treat Sabra.  I hate waiting for the pills to take effect, but the vet has not mentioned this to me before (he admittedly frankly says he is not an asthma expert).  Does the shot prevent attacks for three months?  Can it be given on a regular 3-month basis even without any symptoms?  Are there side-effects? I have seen several posts on this group from people with asthma, and this is the first I’ve heard of this medication.  Please share more about it with us. Thanks! Hi CLAUDIA JEAN, My cat Frack has asthma (had the tracheal wash, tests, etc. a couple of years ago).  Anyway, I am finding success with shots for him.  He gets a shot of Depo-Medol about every 3 months.  I get him into the vet when I first hear him cough and the shot takes care of his asthma.  If you don’t get a kitty in to the vet when you hear them cough, they can get lung damage and that causes them to have more severe asthma and they are more prone to the attacks.  You need to keep a watchful eye on them and get them in at the first cough to help prevent future lung damage.  This is just my experience with Frack.  He was diagnosed with asthma about 2 years ago and the shot has been keeping him healthy and free of the congestion…so far.  I have never used the pills so I really don’t know anything about them. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Hi, I’m new here and need some info.My cat Sweetie is couging right now.She has had asthma attacks on and off since I rescued her.Athough, generally she responds to 05mg.prenisone so far tonight no luck.Wondering if anyone has any suggestions..of course if she does not respond to medication soon will take her to emergency vet. clinic..Her breathing is sounding bubbly..trying not to panic..but wondering why med. has not kicked in yet.Sorry, if this post is long..but I am rather nervous.Thanks in advance for your comments.

Response:

Here is a web site that I visited that has some information about injections. http://www.vetinfo.com/casthma.html — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Ginger-lyn, I am probably not nearly as well informed as I should be about this drug but it is helping Frack with his asthma and that is what matters.  Depo-Medrol is in the family of Corticosteroids (anti inflammatory drug).  I think a lot of kitties are taking Prednisone in pill form and this is a form of that (I think).  The injection is supposed to last for 10 weeks but it lasts Frack for about 3 and a half months (he then starts coughing so I take him in for another injection).  Most of the information I have on Depo-Medrol is for human use and I got this by surfing the web.  My vet did give me the option of giving Frack pills or the injection every few months.  Perhaps, Frack’s case of asthma is not as severe as some (don’t know).  The vet did tell me one of the side affects is a possible onset of diabetes later on in Frack’s life.  I hope I have been of some help to you.  Perhaps, your vet can give you more information. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Barb, Is Depo-Medol something new?  This is something I haven’t heard of, and would love to find out if it’s something my vet could use to treat Sabra.  I hate waiting for the pills to take effect, but the vet has not mentioned this to me before (he admittedly frankly says he is not an asthma expert).  Does the shot prevent attacks for three months?  Can it be given on a regular 3-month basis even without any symptoms?  Are there side-effects? I have seen several posts on this group from people with asthma, and this is the first I’ve heard of this medication.  Please share more about it with us. Thanks! Hi CLAUDIA JEAN, My cat Frack has asthma (had the tracheal wash, tests, etc. a couple of years ago).  Anyway, I am finding success with shots for him.  He gets a shot of Depo-Medol about every 3 months.  I get him into the vet when I first hear him cough and the shot takes care of his asthma.  If you don’t get a kitty in to the vet when you hear them cough, they can get lung damage and that causes them to have more severe asthma and they are more prone to the attacks.  You need to keep a watchful eye on them and get them in at the first cough to help prevent future lung damage.  This is just my experience with Frack.  He was diagnosed with asthma about 2 years ago and the shot has been keeping him healthy and free of the congestion…so far.  I have never used the pills so I really don’t know anything about them. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Hi, I’m new here and need some info.My cat Sweetie is couging right now.She has had asthma attacks on and off since I rescued her.Athough, generally she responds to 05mg.prenisone so far tonight no luck.Wondering if anyone has any suggestions..of course if she does not respond to medication soon will take her to emergency vet. clinic..Her breathing is sounding bubbly..trying not to panic..but wondering why med. has not kicked in yet.Sorry, if this post is long..but I am rather nervous.Thanks in advance for your comments.

Response:

Hi, I’m new here and need some info.My cat Sweetie is couging right now.She has had asthma attacks on and off since I rescued her.Athough, generally she responds to 05mg.prenisone so far tonight no luck.Wondering if anyone has any suggestions..of course if she does not respond to medication soon will take her to emergency vet. clinic..Her breathing is sounding bubbly..trying not to panic..but wondering why med. has not kicked in yet.Sorry, if this post is long..but I am rather nervous.Thanks in advance for your comments.

Response:

Claudia Jean, You didn’t say how long it’s been since you gave her the medication.  I treat my asthmatic cat Sabra with prednisone, and it can take 12 hours or more to work (if it hasn’t worked in 12 hours, a second pill is given).  Does she seem to be very panicky and distressed?  I have been treating Sabra for several years for asthma with Prednisone successfully, but last month, he had an extremely severe attack (for some unknown reason), and had to be taken to the emergency vet and given a quicker-acting shot along with oxygen.  If you’re concerned, I would take her to the vet as soon as possible, particularly if this attack seems more severe than normal and she is in a great deal of distress. Hope this helps. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I’m new here and need some info.My cat Sweetie is couging right now.She has had asthma attacks on and off since I rescued her.Athough, generally she responds to 05mg.prenisone so far tonight no luck.Wondering if anyone has any suggestions..of course if she does not respond to medication soon will take her to emergency vet. clinic..Her breathing is sounding bubbly..trying not to panic..but wondering why med. has not kicked in yet.Sorry, if this post is long..but I am rather nervous.Thanks in advance for your comments.

Response:

Hi CLAUDIA JEAN, My cat Frack has asthma (had the tracheal wash, tests, etc. a couple of years ago).  Anyway, I am finding success with shots for him.  He gets a shot of Depo-Medol about every 3 months.  I get him into the vet when I first hear him cough and the shot takes care of his asthma.  If you don’t get a kitty in to the vet when you hear them cough, they can get lung damage and that causes them to have more severe asthma and they are more prone to the attacks.  You need to keep a watchful eye on them and get them in at the first cough to help prevent future lung damage.  This is just my experience with Frack.  He was diagnosed with asthma about 2 years ago and the shot has been keeping him healthy and free of the congestion…so far.  I have never used the pills so I really don’t know anything about them. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I’m new here and need some info.My cat Sweetie is couging right now.She has had asthma attacks on and off since I rescued her.Athough, generally she responds to 05mg.prenisone so far tonight no luck.Wondering if anyone has any suggestions..of course if she does not respond to medication soon will take her to emergency vet. clinic..Her breathing is sounding bubbly..trying not to panic..but wondering why med. has not kicked in yet.Sorry, if this post is long..but I am rather nervous.Thanks in advance for your comments.

Response:

Barb, Is Depo-Medol something new?  This is something I haven’t heard of, and would love to find out if it’s something my vet could use to treat Sabra.  I hate waiting for the pills to take effect, but the vet has not mentioned this to me before (he admittedly frankly says he is not an asthma expert).  Does the shot prevent attacks for three months?  Can it be given on a regular 3-month basis even without any symptoms?  Are there side-effects? I have seen several posts on this group from people with asthma, and this is the first I’ve heard of this medication.  Please share more about it with us. Thanks! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi CLAUDIA JEAN, My cat Frack has asthma (had the tracheal wash, tests, etc. a couple of years ago).  Anyway, I am finding success with shots for him.  He gets a shot of Depo-Medol about every 3 months.  I get him into the vet when I first hear him cough and the shot takes care of his asthma.  If you don’t get a kitty in to the vet when you hear them cough, they can get lung damage and that causes them to have more severe asthma and they are more prone to the attacks.  You need to keep a watchful eye on them and get them in at the first cough to help prevent future lung damage.  This is just my experience with Frack.  He was diagnosed with asthma about 2 years ago and the shot has been keeping him healthy and free of the congestion…so far.  I have never used the pills so I really don’t know anything about them. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Hi, I’m new here and need some info.My cat Sweetie is couging right now.She has had asthma attacks on and off since I rescued her.Athough, generally she responds to 05mg.prenisone so far tonight no luck.Wondering if anyone has any suggestions..of course if she does not respond to medication soon will take her to emergency vet. clinic..Her breathing is sounding bubbly..trying not to panic..but wondering why med. has not kicked in yet.Sorry, if this post is long..but I am rather nervous.Thanks in advance for your comments.

Response:

Hi Ginger-lyn, I am probably not nearly as well informed as I should be about this drug but it is helping Frack with his asthma and that is what matters.  Depo-Medrol is in the family of Corticosteroids (anti inflammatory drug).  I think a lot of kitties are taking Prednisone in pill form and this is a form of that (I think).  The injection is supposed to last for 10 weeks but it lasts Frack for about 3 and a half months (he then starts coughing so I take him in for another injection).  Most of the information I have on Depo-Medrol is for human use and I got this by surfing the web.  My vet did give me the option of giving Frack pills or the injection every few months.  Perhaps, Frack’s case of asthma is not as severe as some (don’t know).  The vet did tell me one of the side affects is a possible onset of diabetes later on in Frack’s life.  I hope I have been of some help to you.  Perhaps, your vet can give you more information. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Barb, Is Depo-Medol something new?  This is something I haven’t heard of, and would love to find out if it’s something my vet could use to treat Sabra.  I hate waiting for the pills to take effect, but the vet has not mentioned this to me before (he admittedly frankly says he is not an asthma expert).  Does the shot prevent attacks for three months?  Can it be given on a regular 3-month basis even without any symptoms?  Are there side-effects? I have seen several posts on this group from people with asthma, and this is the first I’ve heard of this medication.  Please share more about it with us. Thanks! Hi CLAUDIA JEAN, My cat Frack has asthma (had the tracheal wash, tests, etc. a couple of years ago).  Anyway, I am finding success with shots for him.  He gets a shot of Depo-Medol about every 3 months.  I get him into the vet when I first hear him cough and the shot takes care of his asthma.  If you don’t get a kitty in to the vet when you hear them cough, they can get lung damage and that causes them to have more severe asthma and they are more prone to the attacks.  You need to keep a watchful eye on them and get them in at the first cough to help prevent future lung damage.  This is just my experience with Frack.  He was diagnosed with asthma about 2 years ago and the shot has been keeping him healthy and free of the congestion…so far.  I have never used the pills so I really don’t know anything about them. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Hi, I’m new here and need some info.My cat Sweetie is couging right now.She has had asthma attacks on and off since I rescued her.Athough, generally she responds to 05mg.prenisone so far tonight no luck.Wondering if anyone has any suggestions..of course if she does not respond to medication soon will take her to emergency vet. clinic..Her breathing is sounding bubbly..trying not to panic..but wondering why med. has not kicked in yet.Sorry, if this post is long..but I am rather nervous.Thanks in advance for your comments.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just a caution about depomedrol shots.  I was taught that the chances of inducing diabetes are greater with depo shots than with orally administered steroids.  I encourage my clients to use oral meds vs depo shots. J. Martin DVM Is Depo-Medol something new? With my Lionel, who has numerous mostly inhalant allergies which have resulted in the past in periodic bouts of asthma, we used depo-medrol only now and again.  Once we reached the point where Lionel appear- ed to need it on a regular schedule, as his allergies worsened, we had a blood-panel done to identify his allergies, and began hyposensitiza- tion shots (I do these at home).  In the meantime, while the shots were taking effect (it took a couple months to begin to see results), I did my best to eliminate those allergens I could from the apartment. It’s my understanding that not all cases of cat asthma are connected to allergies, but that many are; so it might be worth looking into.  I do know that Lionel is doing *very* well these days — no wheezing, no itchiness, no fur-pulling, and not much snoring (he sleeps on my pillow with his nose by my ear, so I know when he snores!). Stacy Scott

Right now, Frack is getting a injection of Depo-Medrol about every 3 and a half months and he has no wheezing, coughing or any of the other symptoms between shots.  I do live in a highly congested area (very dusty and with a lot of exhaust fumes) at the present time.  I will be moving out in the country in a very rural setting at the end of May and I am hoping that Frack will not need the shots or, if he needs them, not need them more than a couple of times a year.  I think a lot of his problem stems from it being so polluted in the area that I live.  I will keep everyone posted. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’

Response:

Just a caution about depomedrol shots.  I was taught that the chances of inducing diabetes are greater with depo shots than with orally administered steroids.  I encourage my clients to use oral meds vs depo shots. J. Martin DVM Is Depo-Medol something new?

With my Lionel, who has numerous mostly inhalant allergies which have resulted in the past in periodic bouts of asthma, we used depo-medrol only now and again.  Once we reached the point where Lionel appear- ed to need it on a regular schedule, as his allergies worsened, we had a blood-panel done to identify his allergies, and began hyposensitiza- tion shots (I do these at home).  In the meantime, while the shots were taking effect (it took a couple months to begin to see results), I did my best to eliminate those allergens I could from the apartment. It’s my understanding that not all cases of cat asthma are connected to allergies, but that many are; so it might be worth looking into.  I do know that Lionel is doing *very* well these days — no wheezing, no itchiness, no fur-pulling, and not much snoring (he sleeps on my pillow with his nose by my ear, so I know when he snores!). Stacy Scott

Response:

Hello, all you asthma-kitty private duty nurses!   Corticosteroids can indeed bring on diabetes, but also lots of other yucky things like Cushing’s Disease! If you run into trouble with prednisone, your vet can instruct you how to wean the kitty off of it within a few days. With a Depo-Medrol shot, what can you do?     It is important to try to keep the symptoms away instead of waiting until there’s wheezing to treat. My cat was first put on Aminophyllin, which was very unsatisfactory. He would run around all jazzed up (bronchiodilators are stimulants) while still wheezing!     I finally wised up. As a pediatric nurse, I would administer Slophyllin Gyrocaps to asthmatic infants with good results. It looks like Dristan – all those little timed-release beads inside a gelatin capsule. The vet was willing to experiment and gave me a prescription (had to buy it at a drugstore). Max got 1/2 of the infant dose, but I don’t remember if he got it once a day or twice. I also got a prescription for empty gelatin capsules to pour the other 1/2 of the beads into, prednisone, and whatever else, so that I only had one capsule to stick down his throat. Dipping the gelatin capsule in a little water prior to administration made it slippery so it slid right down. After that, Max’s asthma was well controlled right up until his death years later. No more wheezing!     But first things first: have the asthma cats here been conclusively diagnosed? A chest x-ray will point the vet in the right direction, but if you can swing it, a bronchoscopy with bronchial washings can tell you for sure if it’s asthma or something entirely different that is easily curable. My vet sent Max to Cornell’s Small Animal Clinic for his bronchoscopy. Although he took a big chunk out of the resident’s thumb, the staff was all very nice and caring. The resident was truly sorry that Max didn’t have something he could cure.     Once I got Max on medication that was appropriate for him, his asthma stayed under control. Theodur would probably also work as well. It is another timed-release aminophyllin, but in tablet form. You could use a pill guillotine to cut the tablets into smaller doses. Good luck! Pam DaMonium

Response:

Just a caution about depomedrol shots.  I was taught that the chances of inducing diabetes are greater with depo shots than with orally administered steroids.  I encourage my clients to use oral meds vs depo shots. J. Martin DVM – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Barb, Is Depo-Medol something new?  This is something I haven’t heard of, and would love to find out if it’s something my vet could use to treat Sabra.  I hate waiting for the pills to take effect, but the vet has not mentioned this to me before (he admittedly frankly says he is not an asthma expert).  Does the shot prevent attacks for three months?  Can it be given on a regular 3-month basis even without any symptoms?  Are there side-effects? I have seen several posts on this group from people with asthma, and this is the first I’ve heard of this medication.  Please share more about it with us. Thanks! Hi CLAUDIA JEAN, My cat Frack has asthma (had the tracheal wash, tests, etc. a couple of years ago).  Anyway, I am finding success with shots for him.  He gets a shot of Depo-Medol about every 3 months.  I get him into the vet when I first hear him cough and the shot takes care of his asthma.  If you don’t get a kitty in to the vet when you hear them cough, they can get lung damage and that causes them to have more severe asthma and they are more prone to the attacks.  You need to keep a watchful eye on them and get them in at the first cough to help prevent future lung damage.  This is just my experience with Frack.  He was diagnosed with asthma about 2 years ago and the shot has been keeping him healthy and free of the congestion…so far.  I have never used the pills so I really don’t know anything about them. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Hi, I’m new here and need some info.My cat Sweetie is couging right now.She has had asthma attacks on and off since I rescued her.Athough, generally she responds to 05mg.prenisone so far tonight no luck.Wondering if anyone has any suggestions..of course if she does not respond to medication soon will take her to emergency vet. clinic..Her breathing is sounding bubbly..trying not to panic..but wondering why med. has not kicked in yet.Sorry, if this post is long..but I am rather nervous.Thanks in advance for your comments.

Response:

Thanks so much for all the info!  I’ll be asking my vet about this option for Sabra.  In spite of the worry of diabetes, with his attacks becoming more frequent, hopefully it will be a better option for him.  He’s also around 11 years old, so maybe the likelihood of diabetes will be less for him in the future. Thanks again. Ginger-lyn – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The Veterinary Hospital that I go to is a very modern facility with the latest treatments for different diseases so maybe that is why Frack was offered the injection instead of the pills and bronchodilators. http://www.cfainc.org/health/asthma.html — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Here is a web site that I visited that has some information about injections. http://www.vetinfo.com/casthma.html — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Hi Ginger-lyn, I am probably not nearly as well informed as I should be about this drug but it is helping Frack with his asthma and that is what matters. Depo-Medrol is in the family of Corticosteroids (anti inflammatory drug).  I think a lot of kitties are taking Prednisone in pill form and this is a form of that (I think).  The injection is supposed to last for 10 weeks but it lasts Frack for about 3 and a half months (he then starts coughing so I take him in for another injection).  Most of the information I have on Depo-Medrol is for human use and I got this by surfing the web.  My vet did give me the option of giving Frack pills or the injection every few months.  Perhaps, Frack’s case of asthma is not as severe as some (don’t know).  The vet did tell me one of the side affects is a possible onset of diabetes later on in Frack’s life.  I hope I have been of some help to you.  Perhaps, your vet can give you more information. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Barb, Is Depo-Medol something new?  This is something I haven’t heard of, and would love to find out if it’s something my vet could use to treat Sabra.  I hate waiting for the pills to take effect, but the vet has not mentioned this to me before (he admittedly frankly says he is not an asthma expert).  Does the shot prevent attacks for three months?  Can it be given on a regular 3-month basis even without any symptoms?  Are there side-effects? I have seen several posts on this group from people with asthma, and this is the first I’ve heard of this medication.  Please share more about it with us. Thanks! Hi CLAUDIA JEAN, My cat Frack has asthma (had the tracheal wash, tests, etc. a couple of years ago).  Anyway, I am finding success with shots for him.  He gets a shot of Depo-Medol about every 3 months.  I get him into the vet when I first hear him cough and the shot takes care of his asthma.  If you don’t get a kitty in to the vet when you hear them cough, they can get lung damage and that causes them to have more severe asthma and they are more prone to the attacks.  You need to keep a watchful eye on them and get them in at the first cough to help prevent future lung damage.  This is just my experience with Frack.  He was diagnosed with asthma about 2 years ago and the shot has been keeping him healthy and free of the congestion…so far.  I have never used the pills so I really don’t know anything about them. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Hi, I’m new here and need some info.My cat Sweetie is couging right now.She has had asthma attacks on and off since I rescued her.Athough, generally she responds to 05mg.prenisone so far tonight no luck.Wondering if anyone has any suggestions..of course if she does not respond to medication soon will take her to emergency vet. clinic..Her breathing is sounding bubbly..trying not to panic..but wondering why med. has not kicked in yet.Sorry, if this post is long..but I am rather nervous.Thanks in advance for your comments.

Response:

Barb, Is Depo-Medol something new?  This is something I haven’t heard of, and would love to find out if it’s something my vet could use to treat Sabra.  I hate waiting for the pills to take effect, but the vet has not mentioned this to me before (he admittedly frankly says he is not an asthma expert).  Does the shot prevent attacks for three months?  Can it be given on a regular 3-month basis even without any symptoms?  Are there side-effects? I have seen several posts on this group from people with asthma, and this is the first I’ve heard of this medication.  Please share more about it with us.

I’m not familiar with Depo-Medol but if it is an injectable steroid, a possible side effect could be diabetes.   Patty, owned by 4 cats, 3 rat and 5 mice

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Barb, Is Depo-Medol something new?  This is something I haven’t heard of, and would love to find out if it’s something my vet could use to treat Sabra.  I hate waiting for the pills to take effect, but the vet has not mentioned this to me before (he admittedly frankly says he is not an asthma expert).  Does the shot prevent attacks for three months?  Can it be given on a regular 3-month basis even without any symptoms?  Are there side-effects? I have seen several posts on this group from people with asthma, and this is the first I’ve heard of this medication.  Please share more about it with us. I’m not familiar with Depo-Medol but if it is an injectable steroid, a possible side effect could be diabetes. Patty, owned by 4 cats, 3 rat and 5 mice

Yes!  You are right about the possibility of diabetes being a side effect later on in life because my vet did tell me that.  I guess I think it is more important to keep Frack’s asthma under control then for him to have severe attacks and cause permanent lung damage.  Right now, I am using a air purifier as well as trying to keep the house as dust free as possible.  I will be moving out of this highly congested and polluted area that I live in shortly and into a country setting so I am hoping that it will help him eventually get off his medication completely. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’

Response:

Let us know if the move does help.  I wonder about that, too.  I have gone to better-grade litter to cut down on dust, but I live in the middle of a large city, so the dust is rampant and impossible to fully control. I’ve also wondered about acupuncture treatments helping with asthma.  We have a vet here who does that, and I’m considering consulting him about whether that would help. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Barb, Is Depo-Medol something new?  This is something I haven’t heard of, and would love to find out if it’s something my vet could use to treat Sabra.  I hate waiting for the pills to take effect, but the vet has not mentioned this to me before (he admittedly frankly says he is not an asthma expert).  Does the shot prevent attacks for three months?  Can it be given on a regular 3-month basis even without any symptoms?  Are there side-effects? I have seen several posts on this group from people with asthma, and this is the first I’ve heard of this medication.  Please share more about it with us. I’m not familiar with Depo-Medol but if it is an injectable steroid, a possible side effect could be diabetes. Patty, owned by 4 cats, 3 rat and 5 mice Yes!  You are right about the possibility of diabetes being a side effect later on in life because my vet did tell me that.  I guess I think it is more important to keep Frack’s asthma under control then for him to have severe attacks and cause permanent lung damage.  Right now, I am using a air purifier as well as trying to keep the house as dust free as possible.  I will be moving out of this highly congested and polluted area that I live in shortly and into a country setting so I am hoping that it will help him eventually get off his medication completely. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’

Response:

The Veterinary Hospital that I go to is a very modern facility with the latest treatments for different diseases so maybe that is why Frack was offered the injection instead of the pills and bronchodilators. http://www.cfainc.org/health/asthma.html — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Here is a web site that I visited that has some information about injections. http://www.vetinfo.com/casthma.html — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Hi Ginger-lyn, I am probably not nearly as well informed as I should be about this drug but it is helping Frack with his asthma and that is what matters. Depo-Medrol is in the family of Corticosteroids (anti inflammatory drug).  I think a lot of kitties are taking Prednisone in pill form and this is a form of that (I think).  The injection is supposed to last for 10 weeks but it lasts Frack for about 3 and a half months (he then starts coughing so I take him in for another injection).  Most of the information I have on Depo-Medrol is for human use and I got this by surfing the web.  My vet did give me the option of giving Frack pills or the injection every few months.  Perhaps, Frack’s case of asthma is not as severe as some (don’t know).  The vet did tell me one of the side affects is a possible onset of diabetes later on in Frack’s life.  I hope I have been of some help to you.  Perhaps, your vet can give you more information. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Barb, Is Depo-Medol something new?  This is something I haven’t heard of, and would love to find out if it’s something my vet could use to treat Sabra.  I hate waiting for the pills to take effect, but the vet has not mentioned this to me before (he admittedly frankly says he is not an asthma expert).  Does the shot prevent attacks for three months?  Can it be given on a regular 3-month basis even without any symptoms?  Are there side-effects? I have seen several posts on this group from people with asthma, and this is the first I’ve heard of this medication.  Please share more about it with us. Thanks! Hi CLAUDIA JEAN, My cat Frack has asthma (had the tracheal wash, tests, etc. a couple of years ago).  Anyway, I am finding success with shots for him.  He gets a shot of Depo-Medol about every 3 months.  I get him into the vet when I first hear him cough and the shot takes care of his asthma.  If you don’t get a kitty in to the vet when you hear them cough, they can get lung damage and that causes them to have more severe asthma and they are more prone to the attacks.  You need to keep a watchful eye on them and get them in at the first cough to help prevent future lung damage.  This is just my experience with Frack.  He was diagnosed with asthma about 2 years ago and the shot has been keeping him healthy and free of the congestion…so far.  I have never used the pills so I really don’t know anything about them. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Hi, I’m new here and need some info.My cat Sweetie is couging right now.She has had asthma attacks on and off since I rescued her.Athough, generally she responds to 05mg.prenisone so far tonight no luck.Wondering if anyone has any suggestions..of course if she does not respond to medication soon will take her to emergency vet. clinic..Her breathing is sounding bubbly..trying not to panic..but wondering why med. has not kicked in yet.Sorry, if this post is long..but I am rather nervous.Thanks in advance for your comments.

Response:

Here is a web site that I visited that has some information about injections. http://www.vetinfo.com/casthma.html — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Ginger-lyn, I am probably not nearly as well informed as I should be about this drug but it is helping Frack with his asthma and that is what matters.  Depo-Medrol is in the family of Corticosteroids (anti inflammatory drug).  I think a lot of kitties are taking Prednisone in pill form and this is a form of that (I think).  The injection is supposed to last for 10 weeks but it lasts Frack for about 3 and a half months (he then starts coughing so I take him in for another injection).  Most of the information I have on Depo-Medrol is for human use and I got this by surfing the web.  My vet did give me the option of giving Frack pills or the injection every few months.  Perhaps, Frack’s case of asthma is not as severe as some (don’t know).  The vet did tell me one of the side affects is a possible onset of diabetes later on in Frack’s life.  I hope I have been of some help to you.  Perhaps, your vet can give you more information. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Barb, Is Depo-Medol something new?  This is something I haven’t heard of, and would love to find out if it’s something my vet could use to treat Sabra.  I hate waiting for the pills to take effect, but the vet has not mentioned this to me before (he admittedly frankly says he is not an asthma expert).  Does the shot prevent attacks for three months?  Can it be given on a regular 3-month basis even without any symptoms?  Are there side-effects? I have seen several posts on this group from people with asthma, and this is the first I’ve heard of this medication.  Please share more about it with us. Thanks! Hi CLAUDIA JEAN, My cat Frack has asthma (had the tracheal wash, tests, etc. a couple of years ago).  Anyway, I am finding success with shots for him.  He gets a shot of Depo-Medol about every 3 months.  I get him into the vet when I first hear him cough and the shot takes care of his asthma.  If you don’t get a kitty in to the vet when you hear them cough, they can get lung damage and that causes them to have more severe asthma and they are more prone to the attacks.  You need to keep a watchful eye on them and get them in at the first cough to help prevent future lung damage.  This is just my experience with Frack.  He was diagnosed with asthma about 2 years ago and the shot has been keeping him healthy and free of the congestion…so far.  I have never used the pills so I really don’t know anything about them. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’ Hi, I’m new here and need some info.My cat Sweetie is couging right now.She has had asthma attacks on and off since I rescued her.Athough, generally she responds to 05mg.prenisone so far tonight no luck.Wondering if anyone has any suggestions..of course if she does not respond to medication soon will take her to emergency vet. clinic..Her breathing is sounding bubbly..trying not to panic..but wondering why med. has not kicked in yet.Sorry, if this post is long..but I am rather nervous.Thanks in advance for your comments.

Response:

Hi, I’m new here and need some info.My cat Sweetie is couging right now.She has had asthma attacks on and off since I rescued her.Athough, generally she responds to 05mg.prenisone so far tonight no luck.Wondering if anyone has any suggestions..of course if she does not respond to medication soon will take her to emergency vet. clinic..Her breathing is sounding bubbly..trying not to panic..but wondering why med. has not kicked in yet.Sorry, if this post is long..but I am rather nervous.Thanks in advance for your comments.

Response:

Claudia Jean, You didn’t say how long it’s been since you gave her the medication.  I treat my asthmatic cat Sabra with prednisone, and it can take 12 hours or more to work (if it hasn’t worked in 12 hours, a second pill is given).  Does she seem to be very panicky and distressed?  I have been treating Sabra for several years for asthma with Prednisone successfully, but last month, he had an extremely severe attack (for some unknown reason), and had to be taken to the emergency vet and given a quicker-acting shot along with oxygen.  If you’re concerned, I would take her to the vet as soon as possible, particularly if this attack seems more severe than normal and she is in a great deal of distress. Hope this helps. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I’m new here and need some info.My cat Sweetie is couging right now.She has had asthma attacks on and off since I rescued her.Athough, generally she responds to 05mg.prenisone so far tonight no luck.Wondering if anyone has any suggestions..of course if she does not respond to medication soon will take her to emergency vet. clinic..Her breathing is sounding bubbly..trying not to panic..but wondering why med. has not kicked in yet.Sorry, if this post is long..but I am rather nervous.Thanks in advance for your comments.

Response:

Hi CLAUDIA JEAN, My cat Frack has asthma (had the tracheal wash, tests, etc. a couple of years ago).  Anyway, I am finding success with shots for him.  He gets a shot of Depo-Medol about every 3 months.  I get him into the vet when I first hear him cough and the shot takes care of his asthma.  If you don’t get a kitty in to the vet when you hear them cough, they can get lung damage and that causes them to have more severe asthma and they are more prone to the attacks.  You need to keep a watchful eye on them and get them in at the first cough to help prevent future lung damage.  This is just my experience with Frack.  He was diagnosed with asthma about 2 years ago and the shot has been keeping him healthy and free of the congestion…so far.  I have never used the pills so I really don’t know anything about them. — Barb (MsKitty729)  ICQ #24965127    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-’ (il),-”  (li),’  ((!.-’

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I’m new here and need some info.My cat Sweetie is couging right now.She has had asthma attacks on and off since I rescued her.Athough, generally she responds to 05mg.prenisone so far tonight no luck.Wondering if anyone has any suggestions..of course if she does not respond to medication soon will take her to emergency vet. clinic..Her breathing is sounding bubbly..trying not to panic..but wondering why med. has not kicked in yet.Sorry, if this post is long..but I am rather nervous.Thanks in advance for your comments.

Response: