Giving the Cat Medicine

[tasha99]

It is actually prednisolone. It is not intended to be a long-term thing at this point.

I will say she had a bit of a sneezing fit this morning, which is the first time since we started the course. I hope it is helping some though.

Ugh--that's what starts my cat, too. If we don't control the sneezing, it eventually turns to coughing. For a while, before the vet decided it had become asthma, she was on zyrtec. That helped, but once it stopped helping they took her off it since it can make it worse (good for allergies, bad for asthma). We started with an oral steroid for a while, but then the vet decided since it looked like she'd need something long term we switched to inhaled steroids, with oral only for flare ups. I still cringe any time I hear my kitty sneeze. One thing is our house is a lot cleaner, lol. I vacuum, even under furniture every other day and we have air purifiers on 24/7 in an attempt to keep anything that irritates her out of the environment.

 

[BrianL]

Ugh--that's what starts my cat, too. If we don't control the sneezing, it eventually turns to coughing. For a while, before the vet decided it had become asthma, she was on zyrtec. That helped, but once it stopped helping they took her off it since it can make it worse (good for allergies, bad for asthma). We started with an oral steroid for a while, but then the vet decided since it looked like she'd need something long term we switched to inhaled steroids, with oral only for flare ups. I still cringe any time I hear my kitty sneeze. One thing is our house is a lot cleaner, lol. I vacuum, even under furniture every other day and we have air purifiers on 24/7 in an attempt to keep anything that irritates her out of the environment.

Do the air pruifiers help? I asked my vet and he didn't really think so. I know opinions on them are mixed. I could stand to keep it cleaner around here for sure....

 

[DisneyHardin]

If your cat is really sneezy, put them in the bathroom with the shower running hot water and get it super steamy for about 10 minutes. It worked wonders when my cat with have sneezy/snotty spells.

 

[tasha99]

Do the air pruifiers help? I asked my vet and he didn't really htink so. I know opinions on them are mixed. I could stand to keep it cleaner around here for sure....

I'm not sure if they do or not and I added that on my own. My vet didn't think it was necessary, but at the same time, she said not to let her in the catio on poor air quality days. I live in the pnw, and we get terrible air during fire season. The vet did say that allergies can irritate cats to the point where it becomes asthma. Just in case dust in the house carries pollen (or whatever) that irritates my cat, we started a more stringent cleaning routine. That was at the same time as her getting on meds though, so I can't say what helped.

 

[BrianL]

If your cat is really sneezy, put them in the bathroom with the shower running hot water and get it super steamy for about 10 minutes. It worked wonders when my cat with have sneezy/snotty spells.

Hmm, worth a shot - I LOVE steamy showers anyway.

 

[BrianL]

I'm not sure if they do or not and I added that on my own. My vet didn't think it was necessary, but at the same time, she said not to let her in the catio on poor air quality days. I live in the pnw, and we get terrible air during fire season. The vet did say that allergies can irritate cats to the point where it becomes asthma. Just in case dust in the house carries pollen (or whatever) that irritates my cat, we started a more stringent cleaning routine. That was at the same time as her getting on meds though, so I can't say what helped.

I need to do that. I'm a single guy living alone - dusting isn't high on my list.

 

[DisneyHardin]

Hmm, worth a shot - I LOVE steamy showers anyway.

My cat got to where she loved that steamy bathroom so much that she would fake sneeze sometimes so I would put her in the "steam room".

 

[BrianL]

I am picturing this:

 

[TipsyTraveler]

Hmm, worth a shot - I LOVE steamy showers anyway.

If you try this, keep a close eye on her. It could make her worse. The hot steamy shower treatment is usually meant for upper respiratory infections, not asthma.

https://www.healthcentral.com/condition/asthma/does-a-hot-shower-help-asthma

 

[SharonZ]

I would get the medication in pill form. I then put the pill into an empty pill container (#5 size tiny) that I buy from Amazon in a bright color (so I can tell if they spit it out). My cats will let me put it in the back of their throat, and they will swallow with no problems. The gelatin pill container has no taste and they always tolerate it well.

 

[BrianL]

Well, she's done with the course now. She did all right and stopped fighting me on the smaller doses. Her nasal congestion seems to have cleared up but she is still coughing a little ocassionally.

 

[SueInBoston]

When OP originally posted, I was going to post but didn't want to be Debbie Downer, the previous Sunday, My son and I spent 5+ hours in the ER with my 20 year old cat. She had no energy, her pupils weren't focusing, she sat in her own waste, wasn't eating or drinking much. At the ER, the vet found a mass, but given her age and weak condition, did not suggest surgery. He prescribed pain med and anti nauseous med for palliative care at home. My daughter flew home the next day and the 3 of us took turn sitting with the cat at every awaken moment. She has chosen the bathroom to be her spot, so we took turn sitting on the floor next to the toilet to be with her...lol. Here is the happy news, somehow she got over whatever was making her ill, she is eating, drinking and voiding again, she got her voice back today and is yelling at us. I know given her age and the mass, it could be any time, but not today!!!

 

[BrianL]

When OP originally posted, I was going to post but didn't want to be Debbie Downer, the previous Sunday, My son and I spent 5+ hours in the ER with my 20 year old cat. She had no energy, her pupils weren't focusing, she sat in her own waste, wasn't eating or drinking much. At the ER, the vet found a mass, but given her age and weak condition, did not suggest surgery. He prescribed pain med and anti nauseous med for palliative care at home. My daughter flew home the next day and the 3 of us took turn sitting with the cat at every awaken moment. She has chosen the bathroom to be her spot, so we took turn sitting on the floor next to the toilet to be with her...lol. Here is the happy news, somehow she got over whatever was making her ill, she is eating, drinking and voiding again, she got her voice back today and is yelling at us. I know given her age and the mass, it could be any time, but not today!!!

I'm glad your kitty is feeling better. It can be a roller-coaster ride when it gets to that point, but she is well caken care of.

 

[mom2rtk]

When OP originally posted, I was going to post but didn't want to be Debbie Downer, the previous Sunday, My son and I spent 5+ hours in the ER with my 20 year old cat. She had no energy, her pupils weren't focusing, she sat in her own waste, wasn't eating or drinking much. At the ER, the vet found a mass, but given her age and weak condition, did not suggest surgery. He prescribed pain med and anti nauseous med for palliative care at home. My daughter flew home the next day and the 3 of us took turn sitting with the cat at every awaken moment. She has chosen the bathroom to be her spot, so we took turn sitting on the floor next to the toilet to be with her...lol. Here is the happy news, somehow she got over whatever was making her ill, she is eating, drinking and voiding again, she got her voice back today and is yelling at us. I know given her age and the mass, it could be any time, but not today!!!

Outstanding! You have bonus time with your kitty.