Pseudomonas

Been there, done that!! We did two rounds, 20 days each of medicine for Hannah's pseudomonas infection. We re-tested after the first round of drugs, then it came back she still had it so we did another 20 days. Re-tested again and she still had it, but it was just a wee bit on the high side of not having it, so we decided not to go through another round of antibiotics.

I don't know if Baytril will touch the pseudomonas. When the lab did a sensitivity test on the infection, they found that Zenequin is the best drug for the infection. That's what we used. I don't remember the dosage off the top of my head, but I probably find out. I know when you use Zenequin, there's a range of doses. Hannah had already been on the maximum dose for her weight for 20 days, so she continued that dose for the next 20 days.

What else do you want to know? Feel free to PM me if you want more info.

Stephanie

I'm glad they did the sensitivity test to find out what will take care of the infection. One of the other things that we did the second go-round of the antibiotics was to treat it nasally as well. So every night, she got her antibiotic (pill--oh joy!) and nose drops. The nose drops really seemed to help with the infection as well. I don't remember which drops she had, but I can check if you'd like.

I don't know how kitties contract it, but I do remember the vet telling us that it's very common in kitties with compromised immune systems to begin with and that it can lie dormant and then if the kitty gets very ill will rear it's head. When we were researching, we found a lot of information on pseudomonas related to Cystic Fibrosis in humans, so it's not just an animal bacteria. Due to the complexity of the nasal turbinates and sinuses in kitties, the bacteria has lots of places to hide and reside.

http://www.familyvet.com/Cats/Bacteria.html
PSEUDOMONAS
Although this bacterium is not a primary pathogen, it is a common organism found in chronic and recurrent infections, often of the ear canal and in some cases of bacterial cystitis. This organism has the nasty tendency to be very resistant to treatment, to have few antibiotics that will even work to kill the infection, and even when it has seemingly been eradicated, somehow makes a return appearance. Some cats with chronic pseudomonas infections will require constant treatment with antibiotic mixtures simply to keep the infection in check. All recurrent or chronic infections should have culture and sensitivity analysis done so that the most direct and practical treatment can be quickly begun. ((Pseudomonas Ear Infection))

Just know that it sometimes takes more than one treatment, one drug, and/or a combination of drugs to kick the bacteria. As in our situation, we decided the numbers of her final test were good enough for us to not continue medication. Our vet did tell us that if we did a 3rd round of antibiotics that it may or may not bring her numbers down. Make sure that once you finish the first round of antibiotics you have another culture & sensitivity test done to be sure the infection is gone or down to a more acceptable level.

It's funny because when I was looking for info on the board when Hannah was diagnosed, I couldn't find much. Now, I kinda feel like we went through that so we can help others. Glad my experience is helping you (& hopefully others). Please keep me posted!

My 2 1/2 yr old cat has been diagnosed with pseudomonas.  She's been on and off antibiotics for over a year now as vet originally thought she had an URI due to the herpes virus.  After the culture was done and came back showing pseudomonas, we are on ciprofloxacin.  Been on it for 15 days now, and she is better, but still has a rattle in her breathing and some (very little) sneezing.  Her appetite is good.  Vet said this is a long process, 6 -8 weeks.  I am just wondering if she will be totally cured after this round.  Does anyone have a cat that was diagnosed with pseudomonas that is now TOTALLY cured and symptom free?  

 

Sissy's mama

Pseudomonas is a naturally occurring bacteria so our goal with Hannah was to get it down within normal range.  Hannah also has feline herpes which just aggravates everything.  She is especially susceptible to upper respiratory infections which always means the pseudomonas has the potential of flaring back up.  We manage her overall health through nutrition, supplements, and keeping the stress level in our home as low as possible.  Since Herpes isn't curable, this is the best course of action for her.  Her biggest triggers for flare ups are seasonal changes and the fall/winter change seems to be the worst time for her.  She's on a grain-free diet, receives a daily antihistamine, a daily vitamin supplement, and a supplement to reduce inflammation in her nasal passages which helps alleviate the sneezes.  She still sneezes several times a day, but not the repetitive sneezing with projectile discharge as in the past.

 

Has your kitty been tested for feline herpes? 

I have been trying to find information on pseudomonas and cats and found this site and this discussion!!!

 

I am fostering a 2 yr old Calico who doesn't know she is sick.  She has pseudomonas, but acts like a normal, healthy cat - eats, plays, uses her litterboxes, super affectionate. 

 

She was treated for a URI for 2 months.  The vets finally felt maybe if she were fostered and out of the shelter, by not having stress she would get better.  She didn't get better, but did not get worse.  After 2 weeks of meds, they did a culture and discovered it was not an URI, but pseudomonas.  I forgot what we are using for meds right now, and it's only been 10 days, but I am not seeing a difference.

 

Being in a shelter, of course, a cat with health issues may not be deemed to be adoptable.   I am taking notes from the previous discussions, as we have our next vet appointment this Wednesday.

 

By the way, her name is Snuggle Kisses.  She is easy to medicate and forgives easily after being given nose drops. So far, she is not stressing out, and I hope she won't.  I am keeping my fingers crossed that something is going to help her!

 

Bonnie

I don't know if Sissy has been tested specifically for the herpes virus, but ever since she was a few months old, that's what the vet said she had.  She's been on her antibiotics now for about 70 days, and I just had her retested 2 weeks ago to see if the pseudomonas was gone.  We are to get the results next week.  I would like to say she is better, and she is, but not completely symptom free.  She has periods of a few days where she is worse than others.  You say you manage your cat through nutrition and supplements.  What do you feed your cat and what supplements?  Sissy eats Science Diet light, and has tuna packed in oil for a nightly snack.  Before she started this latest round of antibiotics, she was taking 500 units of L -lysine every day.  

Sissy has been on her antibiotic for about 70 days now, and the vet told me this process was lengthy.   The drug is cipro.  

She was probably well over 30 days into her meds before I could see improvement.  Even on the meds, she has periods where she is better, then gets worse.  By worse I mean she sneezes out greenish stuff and just overall looks like she doesn't feel well.  We are waiting now to get test results back to see if the pseudomonas is gone.  Two weeks ago when I had her at the vet to be tested was one of her bad days.  Vet said could be herpes virus combined with pseudomonas.  I guess we will find out the what the plan will be for her continued treratment next week when the vet calls with her results.  From all I've been through and heard from the vet and online, this is complicated!  Good luck with your cat.

The Idexx Real PCR URD tests for herpes.  That's how my Hannah was diagnosed.  Does your girl get a daily antihistamine?  That might help with some of the sneezing, too.  We give Hannah 1/4 - 1/2 of a 10mg Claritin tab.  We use the generic brand from Wal-Mart and crush it up in her wet food in the morning.  When she gets really sneezy, we give her nose drops for a few days and it clears up.

The vet just called today with the latest test results.  The pseudomonas is still there after 74 days on the antibiotic!  I asked if there was a "range" and he said the test really wasn't like that.  Anyway, after much discussion, our next plan of action is to do nothing and see how it goes.  The vet has consulted with an internal medicine doc at the lab, and she agreed this was the best plan for now.  He mentioned other drugs she could take, injectable drugs, but the risks way outweigh the rewards.....said these could potentially cause her to have organ failure.  He also said he feels like it's partly due to the herpes virus, although I've never heard of the test you mentioned so I'm not sure if she's had it or not.  I need to ask about that.  I also asked about an antihistimine and to be honest I don't remember his response except that he really didn't recommend it.   If she gets to what I call her "worst" state (won't eat, lethargic), I am to take her in to see him.  He said at that point he could give her some nasal drops, but he was concerned she would just become immune to that drug as well. If she stays as well as she is today, that would be great!  She has some sneezing and a bit of a runny nose, but she eats, plays and seems to be happy. 

 

I may get the antihistimine and try that.  What kind of nasal drops do you use?  Prescription I am guessing?  Also, what is a grain free cat food? 

 

Thanks for the advice.

 

Sissy's mama

 

 

Snuggle Kisses is still being medicated, and it's been 3 months now.  Of course, it was only in November the vets determined she had pseudomonas.  I had to bring her back to the shelter because our basement is just too cold now.  The vet told me there has been less nasal discharge - yay!!  She will be going back into foster care for 1-2 months with someone else.  We have also discussed whether she may have a polyp in her ear canal.  Unfortunately, doing a scope for that costs a lot of money.  The vet said he would wait until 1-2 months, see how she is doing, and if no improvement, they would look into getting the scope done in case there is a blockage.

 

Bonnie

Good luck everyone in getting this treated.  I found a cat in a box about 15 months ago.  He had a terrible URI and after a month of treatment they figured out he had Pseudomonas.  It's been a year of treatment and lots of antibiotics and he STILL has it.  Starting antibiotics again tomorrow.  He had a trachael wash last week and now they also found Bordatella....

A good lab will not only identify the infection, but will test a range of antibiotics for which one will work best.

 

Just a non-feline observation here.  My wife and I got terrible sinus infections one time in a dust storm near Los Angeles, CA.  My doctor said that few doctors treat that kind of infection properly he said you need 30 days of one antibiotic, then 30 days of a completely different antibiotic.  The reasoning is that the first, most effective antibiotic, will kill virtually everything, but a few always survive, and after 30 days, those resistant bacteria are resurging.  Using the second antibiotic will usually wipe out what's left.

 

He said going too long with the first antibiotic allows the bacteria to rebuild its population before the second one is used.