The vet says Jazz has

Feline allergic bronchitis/asthma. She told me to watch her over the weekend to see how much she coughs. She hasn't been coughing much this weekend but she want to put Jazz on steroids. Anyone else out there have a kitty with this problem? Is this how your vet handled the diagnosis If so what can I/we expect? Are the steroids forever? I know I should have asked the vet these questions and I will tomorrow when I call but I get all nervous whenever something happens to one of my girls.

I can help my Coco has had Asthma for years and she has had bronchitis also.
There are a few treatments for Astham.
There are Depp Medrol Shots which Coco used to get but I had to stop last March because they give her bladder problems.
There are also Pred pills which Coco dosent get anymore.
She now gets the third option which is a inhaler.
It has way less side effects then the pills and the shots.
Has your cat had a xray to verify its Asthma?
You can pm me if you need to know anything.
Coco is Allergic to so many things.
The vet said she could never have the Depo Shot more then twice a year vefore we knew it was the cause of some of her bladder problems. How old is your cat? i will help you anyway I can.

Thank you for your reply. Jasmine is 13. Yes she had an xray. I am going to call today to tell her how she did over the weekend, (still coughing). Thanks for bringing up the side effects of the pills, i will have to ask about that. BTW don't know how to pm.
Thanks again.

I would think about a second opinion. I don't believe steriods are the first line of defense treatment for asthma anymore due to the side effects, many can be managed with inhalers.

for Jazz

Originally Posted by JellyBella

I would think about a second opinion. I don't believe steriods are the first line of defense treatment for asthma anymore due to the side effects, many can be managed with inhalers.

for Jazz

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One vet I took Moose to wanted to put him on prednisone even though his xray was clear! It turned out what seemed like "coughing", was actually hairballs.

I would like to get a second opinion but I don't know where to go, I am trying to find a vet that specializes in feline asthma. I live in NJ if anyone knows of one, please let me know.

Originally Posted by jamasmom

I would like to get a second opinion but I don't know where to go, I am trying to find a vet that specializes in feline asthma. I live in NJ if anyone knows of one, please let me know.

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Your vet should be able to refer you to a specialist. I just googled "veterinary specialists new jersey" and got a bunch of listings, which you can narrow down by where you live. Also, you may want to check if there's a veterinary teaching college near you.

Has your Cat had the injection yet? I wish I knew of a vet where you live but I do not. My Vet is very good but way to far away for you. Coco has the inhaler now. I can show you what it looks like if you want to see. In 2005 Coco got very sick with a bad uri and also coughed so much she barfed. I took her to bad vet by mistake. They told me she had Lung Cancer when it was her Asthma out of control. I was sent to the vet I got to now for a 2nd opinion and he said that is bad Asthma. I was told years before she had bronchitis when it was Asthma all along. I do not want your cat to get a Depo Shot and get Struvite Crystals and Bladder Infections like Coco has from the Depo. Alot of vets do not know about the inhalers. My Vet here knows way more then other vets. I wonder if they would know a good vet where you are?

No shots yet, I am taking her to her regular vet Friday afternoon for a second opinion. Thank you for all of your help.

My Pooh has something like this - she goes in to the vet 3 or 4 times a year for a steroid shot. This has been going on for about 2 years. As soon as I hear the coughing start I take her in and she's usually fine by the next day. This started off as URI that was treated with antibiotics. She's coughing now so it's time for her next shot. Last one was in May. Don't know if this will help your situation but I thought I'd share.

Just an idea. Would thoroughly cleaning, keeping everything as dust free as possible, keeping other possible irritates away (cleaner fumes, perfumes, aerosols, candles), adding good air filters on the central air/heating ducts, or even the room air purifiers help? Much like what it done for people with bad asthma.

I remember a past member who did all of this stuff for her very asthmatic cat, and that it helper her. As well as finding out if the cat had allergies (I think the cat was allergic to turkey?). I think the member may have had asthma too, which is why she adopted the cat?