Kitty medical help?

[minnie56]

I have a 4 year old DSH..Calico cat (I have 3 total all others are fine)

For about 9 days now she has been sort of hacking. Like she has a hairball....which she never usually suffers from...but looks similar in that she is making 'that' sound and appears to be trying to bring up 'something'.

On Saturday she was hacking/coughing a lot and her beathing had a gurgling sound so I called the Vet and took her in asap! He asked that she be left for observation and a chest x-ray.

When I picked her up he seemed somewhat stumped. X-ray was clear..but her 'sides' are expanding more than is usual for a cat when she breathes indicating a difficulty of some sort. The possibilities are...Hairball (Despite meds..nothing yet)...Upper Resp Infection...which will run it's course and go the same way it came unless it becomes Secondary which it does not appear to be the case at this point...Asthma...Or Heart Probs which would require Heart Ultrasound to confirm (Very costly...doesn't want to head in that direction yet) So, He gave her a shot of Prednisone and pills 2x daily starting the following day (Sunday)

Sunday she seemed much improved...a few hacks...nothing much
He called and I advised of the turn in her symptoms for the better.

Today she has been making that sound a lot...and some bubbly/gurgling/wheezy breathing again. I called again...he said carry on with the Prednisone for a couple of days, if no improvement call him again.

Poor thing...She is eating fine and her behaviour is normal. The hacking comes and goes and when it is a lot the breathing seems to get noisy too. Her meow is also quieter than usual...which the Vet said could be inflammation in the trachea?

Any suggestions?

She's a'bit' Pudgy at 14.5 pounds eek: ) and taking 2 Prednisone a day (1 in the a.m 1 in the p.m) a 5 mg each

I get so panicky...she's so young

 

[Rajah]

I don't know what to say on this one besides that I'll keep her in my prayers for a speedy recovery.

 

[emmagata]

We took in a stray last summer that had similar problems.

Does she sneeze too?

How's her hearing?

I'm pretty sure he had an infection in his upper resp. and sinus.

We thought he was deaf or near deaf but after treatment he could hear pretty good.

He was at the Vet for about a week getting treated until he was able to be discharged. We set up a home for him in our garage until we found a home for him.

Good luck.

 

[minnie56]

No sneezing and no runny nose...

 

[minnie56]

Forgot...
Hearing seems fine too...

 

[DocRafiki]

I would want to know the CBC results & if non-diagnostic, get the ultrasound and maybe tracheal wash.

It sounds like a patient I had a couple of months ago... non-diagnostic tests and no improvement after a day of treatment. I sent it to the e-clinic overnight, where it coughed something up and was all better.

But, of course it could be something serious, and I would never play guessing games with a life.

 

[minnie56]

What's CBC result??

We spent most of last night in Emerg...(Animal that is) with her gasping for air at home in the wee hours and we all panicked! Of course by the time we got there she seemed better (always) so little was obvious. This Vet did another Chest/Throat X-ray which also appeared normal.He said he would have thought for a diagnosis of Asthma he would see 'doughnuts' but it can still be Asthma even so. He gave her a prescription for Clavamox (Antibiotic) as she had a very slight fever and Theodur (Bronchodilator?) and said to keep watching her. Came home around 4 a.m and she tried to doze for an hour or so but it 'seems' when she is imobile that her chest gets congested and the rattling and deep inhaling efforts start again. Finally she jumps to the floor and starts these 'lunges' where it looks like she is attempting to get air and/or throw up! It is panic all around let me tell you!!

So at 8:00 I took her back to my Vet where she still is...The Vet called and said it still fits the bill for Asthma but it's getting it under control that is the trick?They are talking Inhalers and face masks and she explained about all the triggers for an attack and how similar they are to those for humans. One being dust...she doesn't stand a chance in this house especially under beds where she loves to hang out! She also said she may need more intense Prednisone in the form of an Injection possibly supplemented with pills as well. It was added that the Theodur can make her depressed too...that will only add to the fun!

The Vet at the Emerg clinic said blood work during her first visit to the Vet on Saturday would have been a good idea (Wasn't done?) as now it would not be terribly accurate due to her Prednisone.Poor baby....I get so scared for her when she appears so uncomfortable.

The Emerg Vet did mention a Tracheal wash and Ultrasound being next 'steps'....I hate her to have to undergo more but know she may have to in order to get the correct diagnosis.

A little sleep would sure be a wonderful thing right now...for all of us!

Thanks for your opinions and support...I always know I can find support and sharing of knowledge and information here! I am so grateful in my times of concern and total panic!

Thanks

 

[Harambe]

It is so scary seeing your cat suffer. If you really feel uncomfortable, ask that she be kept at the vets (pay boarding fee if necessary - usually only about $10 a day, right?) so the vet and assistants can keep an eye on her.

 

[Rajah]

If I'm not mistaken, CBC is Complete Blood Count -- total bloodwork.

I personally wouldn't want her left at the vet's *unless* it was 24 hour care. Our vet doesn't have a night-nurse so our babies are better off with us for the night.

Good luck

 

[minnie56]

That CBC is likely Complete Blood Count..
Thanks!

She is still at the Vets and they are keeping her in the treatment room where there are Vets and Vet Techs constantly around and so they can monitor her. Last I heard she was comfortable and 'talking' to them.I just took her 4:30 pills around but did not see her.The Vet that saw her this past Saturday will be on duty at 5:00 and he will assess her again then I think they like to let the Original Vet follow through with the care and treatment plan so he will call and we will decide what next.

This Clinic is open until 10:00...I agree that as there isn't anyone there beyond that I would prefer her to be at home and I think it is there intent at this point to just keep her for observation for the day.

Will keep you posted...
Thanks again everyone

 

[DocRafiki]

Yes, the CBC is probably the bloodwork the emergency clinician would have liked to have seen.

I 2nd Rajah's thoughts about overnight care. I've never felt comfortable leaving pets alone overnight, but a lot of vets I've worked with did it all the time. I'm not one to recommend taking the cheap way out, though, and I think most vets want to spare people the high cost of overnight care at an e-clinic.

Asthma is a really difficult diagnosis to make at times and can be really scary. You know, another option would be to get a scope down the bronchi-- would definitively rule-out foreign body obstructions. Most vets just don't have that, though.

 

[minnie56]

It look just like a foreign body obstruction...just how she swallows etc...
But the Vet last night (This morning??) said the way he was opening her mouth and pressing on her neck she would be having even more difficulites if indeed something were 'there'?? Along with eating probs..and there are times her swallowing and breathing are allright?? Very episodic...He did add though that x-rays are basically black and white and would not show paper..foil...cardboard...etc or anything else she may have ingested.???? It's all very confusing and worriesome...

Thanks again....all help so appreciated

 

[Harambe]

I hope everything works out for your kitty. Sounds like they are working hard to find the cause.

I thought I made the point in my earlier post, that I was only suggesting to keep the cat overnight if the vet or a vet's assistant was there for overnight coverage. I wouldn't suggest to just leave her there. I can tell you love her far too much for that!!!

Keep us updated!

 

[catsrule]

Poor kitty. Please keep us updated on kitty's condition. Hope she gets better soon.

 

[minnie56]

I can pick up my Kitty and see the Vet at 9:30 p.m

I wish it were the kind of clininc where you could pay for overnight care, just so they could see her safely through the night (And I could sleep But it isn't...she would have to go the Emerg Clinic I took her to last night and they haven't suggested that so I take it that it's not necessary. I hope she has a better night than these last 2!! I am a bit scared and pray all goes well...for her sake mostly!

I will keep you updated on how things go...
Thanks for your help..everyone!

 

[Stephen's Mom]

How did your kitty make out overnight?

 

[minnie56]

Was not a good night again. When I picked her up there was little new to report as she doesn't seem to display her troubles whilst at the Vet...through the night, more of the same.Intermittent 'coughing' or hacking as it seems and bubbly breathing when she is at rest.She seems to have difficulty laying her head down as if there is an obstruction.

Today I put her in again for observation and finally she displayed her full blown 'attack' of sorts. The Vet called me and said he now feels it is not Asthma or Heart troubles (So has postponed the heart ultrasound) but appears from what he saw to be in her nose?? Possibly a virus (Herpes) or a Polyp. He suggested taking her off of the Prednisone and Theodur and staying on the Antibiotics only.Mostly in the interest of Secondary infection as if it is Herpes it will resolve.

brought her home at 5:00 p.m and she had a major attack (Sounds like she did there too) like I haven't seen yet. The hacking and spasming lasted on and off for a couple of hours.She is back to not being able to lay her head down properly and very gurgeling (sp?) breathing. Other than that as always her demeanor is good. I think this is what stumps the Vet too...that after this passes she is her oldself, not what you would expect her to feel if suffering great respiratory probs.

She is eating, drinking, peeing (!) and all the normal stuff...

It looks like it is all in her sinuses and she is overwhelmed with 'something' Phlegm..???? I don't know..No runny nose or eyes though...sounds like a human with a major, major cold or sinus blockage with a hack!?

I called the Vet again...tomorrow he will give her some anesthetic (which I am not crazy about) and do a Sinus, skull x-ray along with a bit more exploration down her throat. He tentatively had this booked for next Thursday but brought it ahead due to my call....I think he was/is hoping it would resolve by then.

I tell you...It is such a heartbreak seeing her 'appear' to gasp for little breaths and look like she is just smothering in mucous...but you see none?

Poor baby...Please say a little prayer for her, I love her so much.

 

[catsrule]

I will say a prayer for your baby. I know how much you love her.