Bronchitis question

Just wondering how long before antibiotics usually start to kick in for bronchitis. Cotton's had 3 days worth so far and we just had a rough morning. I'm wondering if it's worth a call to the vet or if it's just par for the course.

Is he just on antibiotics for it? Mine are being treated for what is likely bronchitis, though we did a cautionary treatment for lungworms and hope that was it (that would be luck, though, not something I and the kittens have lately). They're on doxycycline as it's better for breaking up mycoplasma - before that one was on clavamox for a few days and another on azithromyacin (another one good at breaking up mycoplasma infections).

The two previous antibiotics they were on did a little - the clavamox merely decreased the amount of coughing by maybe less than a quarter? (in a cat that was coughing up to 5-6 times an hour). I don't know how well the doxy is working because they are all on prednisolone.

Depending on inflammation, though, you may not see a big difference unless that is treated, too.

Bronchitis honestly scares me. My understanding, from two vets and reading, is that it is often progressive. I'm sorry Cotton is dealing with this, if he's coughed as much as my male kitten has it's horrible. You've probably wondered if he's even going to survive some of those fits. I hope he responds soon and starts getting better.

Has your vet talked about environmental triggers, yet?

Hi Strange_wings, thanks for the response.

The odd part is that he's not coughing...just congested. He's not actually coughing anymore, just sniffling and snoring when he sleeps. We actually found the bronchitis on the x-rays when they were looking for pancreatic tumors or cancer.

Currently we're on Orbax (he usually responds really well to it) for the bronchitis and to stop his cut from getting infected. I did read on thier site, though, that you should see improvement in 3-5 days, so I might just be impatient. It's just so hard to tell what's what because we're also treating for the cut in his mouth (still don't know how he managed that) and the diabetes is completely unregulated. So I'm never sure if the weakness, lack of appetite (and this morning's peeing on the bed instead of walking to the litter box) is actually due to the bronchitis, or a result of something else...sorry if this sounds rambling...I'm feeling kind of burnt out today.

It's good that there's no cough. One of mine was getting so nauseous from coughing he wouldn't eat.

Have you tried the steamed up bathroom trick for his congestion? Favorite treats?

It may take a couple more days to see if the antibiotic is doing much since he has a lot going on, keep in contact with the vet - mention the peeing to them. If it seems like there's no improvement he might need a different antibiotics or something else with it.

I would think by now you'd be seeing some improvement. However, if it's concerning you enough, call the vet and share your concerns with them and see what they say.

It's a lot to cope with.

It may be more time is needed, but there isn't any harm in calling the vet. Better safe than sorry, and if you can get some reassurance, all the better. No sense worrying yourself sick when a phone call may ease your mind.

Talk to your VET though, not a receptionist. Leave a voice mail message and ask for a return call, if you can't get the vet directly.

Just curious. Did the vet mention or check in any way to see if this was even bacterial? Bronchitis can be viral and with all of Cotton's stress lately his immune system would be low against a virus.
Obviously, antibiotics won't help if the main cause is a virus.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

Just curious. Did the vet mention or check in any way to see if this was even bacterial? Bronchitis can be viral and with all of Cotton's stress lately his immune system would be low against a virus.
Obviously, antibiotics won't help if the main cause is a virus.

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Excellent point. You (Ms Freya) may want to ask your vet about starting Cotton on l-lysine to help boost his immune system.

Sigh...I had a big post, but the site just ate it. I hate typing at work.

The short version - The vet's not worried yet - he figures it will likely take longer to kick in with everything else going on. It is bacterial - they checked. He's already on l-lysine, since he's a bit prone to URIs.

So, I have him segregated upstairs with food, water and litter. Chances are he's just feeling to lousy to go down the the litter box. He is looking a bit more alret today, not active by any stretch and not eating yet, but alert at least.

Update for today:

After 4 days of antibiotics Cotton seems more alert this morning. We've officially turned the upstairs spare room into a sick-room for him, complete with litter box no more than 4 steps from the two main places he's been sleeping and no issues since then, so he just wasn't feeling up to making the jaunt to the regualr box. I can sympathize. I don't always want to get up and walk down the stair when I'm feeling really sick.

He's still not eating on his own but is putting up one heck of a fight when we assist feed, so I'm taking that as a good sign. He's also wandering a bit more depending on his mood instead of just sitting listlessly and he's less drooly (he drools alot when his mouth is sore) and his breathign sounds less congested today. if tonight's another cold one, we're planning on setting up a vaporizer for him to ease the breathing. So, not tons of change, but I'm hopeful we're improving.

Thanks for the update! That's lovely that you've set up a sick room for Cotton. Yes fighting the assist feeding is a good sign. I hope he is eating on his own soon.

Be careful with the vaporizer, he could burn himself on the steam if he gets too curious. I would only run it when you are in the room with him.

Cotton, eat for your mama!