Calvin has asthma, too?

calvin&i

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When I took Hobbes to his doctor last week Monday, I did tell him that I have heard Calvin cough a couple times the past month and seen him panting from running hard (I chalked that on him carrying extra vet - which I was told today was not the case - he is not overweight really). The doc said he'd check Calvin when I bring him in. So day before yesterday he coughed once and then 3 times yesterday. Hobbes, except for once, has never coughed (asthma attack) more than once a day. I was concerned and called the clinic. His doc is on leave this week and I made an appointment for Monday.

Then today Calvin got worse. He decided to camp inside his carrier and, though was eating, would not otherwise interact. He coughed and sneezed and was a bit of retching. I thought he had caught a URI from Hobbes. Took him in and this was like deja vu and then realized I've been through this before. They think he has asthma, too. We did a heartworm test and the doc put him on once daily 5 mg prednisone for a week. However, we came home and Calvin got worse. DH thought I was overreacting when I asked him to return home asap but when he heard the cough and gurgling, he knew what I was talking about. This was about 7:30pm - I gave him the prednisone at 5 pm. I called our petsitter, N, who works in the clinic. She called our regular vet on vacation, and he asked us to give Calvin another prednisone tonight (Thank God for good people). He is surprised since Calvin is just 1 year old. Calvin is exhausted and looks unhappy. His cough is way worse than Hobbes' (who has asthma) and he is making a strange gurgling noise. We are on high alert and will take him to the e vet if need be. N will call tomorrow morning to check and we'll see what we do next. DH wants me to go and get check x-ray and blood workup done tomorrow. Our regular vet will be back on Monday and we may be back in to see him then. Hobbes, in the meantime, has his cardiology appointment on Tuesday. It will be a difficult few days.
 

darlili

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Just a note to say you, your babies, and your husband are all in my thoughts...hoping for only the best possible news from the vets.
 
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calvin&i

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So 10 hours after taking the 2nd prednisone, Calvin had another attack. I called the clinic and the vet asked us to give him another prednisone after checking his gum. Gum looked pink. The vet will call at his lunch break, unless I need to get in touch earlier. I hate it that we will hit the weekend soon - we werent too impressed with the er doc we took hobbes in for his eye infection 2 weekends ago - the med prescribed was not our vet's or the "common sense" choice. We will insist on a blood count and X-ray today or tomorrow morning, when they are open.

Thanks, darlili, for keeping is in your thoughts. We need all positive thoughts and vibes we can get. We do not put a price on the boys but it's been stressful with hobbes' multiple health issues and dietary issues and now this. I completely broke down yesterday for a while - which of course did not help and made the boys stress. I just want the boys to be as healthy as they can be with the chronic issues they have and I want Meds that will help them after we figure out exactly what's going on
 
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calvin&i

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Calvin is at the clinic for observation and X-rays. Since he's on steroids his blood count will be off and so we are not doing that. DH was able to sneak out a bit during lunch and was at the vet's, which was great. The heartworm antibody test came up positive (so was exposed) but antigen negative - so the result is largely inconclusive. When I go to pick him up we'll know if he will be put on a bronchodialator or antibiotic. Hobbes in the meantime is not happy without his brother.
 
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