Pseudomonas Bacteria Infection

stephanietx

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My Hannah has been diagnosed with a pseudomonas bacteria infection which has been causing her excessive sneezing, nasal discharge, drainage, and most likely, all the sinus and URI problems she's been having the past year. She is also my herpes positive kitty, which makes her more susceptible to these types of icky things. She is currently on week 2 of a 4-week treatment of Zeniquin, and we've seen improvement. I don't know what strain of pseudomonas she has, but we're waiting on a call from the vet to find out more specifics.

Does anyone have any experience dealing with a cat with this type of infection and/or its treatment? Also, from what little I've been able to discover on the internet, it may not be totally cureable and we might end up just treating the symptoms. I'm looking for some encouragement and inspiration from those who may have dealt with this previously.

Stephanie
 

twokatz

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I know nothing about the bacteria but I have used the Zenaquin. I had a cat that had a major inner ear infection and she reacted to every antibiotic we tryed. She took the Zenaquin for 30 days with no problem whatsoever and it worked, it is a very strong antibiotic and broad spectrum, it is in the Quinalone family of drugs.
 
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stephanietx

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Talked to the vet yesterday to get some questions answered. Found out she has pseudomonas aeruginosa, the most drug-resistant strain of the bacteria. (Of course!) Most likely contracted it because of her immune system's compromised due to her herpes. Most likely we've been fighting it for at least a year. The lab did test the Zeniquin on the bacteria and it is supposed to knock it out, but we've got to get a high enough concentration into her little system for it to work, which is why she's going to be on it for so long. Then, we have to hope and pray that the med will get into all the little cubbyholes in her nasal cavities and sinuses to totally eradicate it from her. Because she was so sick with URI when we got her, there may be excessive scarring and some permanent damage/disfiguring to the sinuses, sinus cavities, and nasal areas which the bacteria will hide it. After 4 weeks (3 weeks with the meds, then one week off) we have to take her back to the vet for another culture to see how she's doing and if the bacteria is gone.

We're also to continue her on the Claritin for now. Once this bacterial infection is knocked out, we have to try to wean her off of the Claritin. Anything we can do to help alleviate any sinus irritation should help fight the bacterial infection. As with any chronic condition, though, we may not be able to totally get rid of the bacteria, and will end up only treating the symptoms in the long run. However, the doctor is very hopeful since she's a young, otherwise healthy kitty in a good, stable, loving environment that she'll be able to conquer the bacteria.

The bacteria is transferable to other cats and humans. My husband, who has chronic asthma and is prone to bronchitis, sinus infections, and allergies is going to the doctor tomorrow because he's got an URI. While there, he's going to ask the doctor to do a culture to see if he's got the bacteria and need to be treated. Maybe Hannah picked it up from my husband. The vet did tell me that it's the leading cause of deaths in human burn victims.

Will keep you posted on how things go, since not too much seems to be known about it!

Stephanie
 
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