My Murphy is 7 years old. On Tuesday I noticed he was lethargic and took him to the vet. He had a fever of 103.2 and the vet said he had a little congestion in his lungs, so he gave him a shot of Convenia. His eyes were also a little bit red, but not watery. No sneezing, no nasal discharge, no coughing. He did not eat Tuesday night or all day Wednesday. Thursday he was open mouth breathing, so I took him back to the vet. He said that he had asthma (which he had a problem with once about 4 years ago and it took weeks to get him better). He still had a fever, this time 103.6. Still no sneezing or coughing, no other usual URI symptoms. The vet gave him a shot of B12, a shot of short lasting steroids (24-48hrs), and some Clavamox. I brought him home, he went to sleep, then at about midnight last night he came out from under the couch and obviously felt much better. He ate a little bit, drank, peed. He was very affectionate and wide eyed instead of droopy.
This morning he ate some more, drank, used the litterbox, scratched on the window wanting outside. Still obviously feels better. However, he got a little uppity about scratching on the window to go out (hasn't been out in days) and he started open mouth breathing again just for a few minutes. I have a humidifier going in the room he's in, which the vet said to do. Seeing him open mouth breathing again after having the steroids scared me a bit.
Has anyone had similar experiences? It worries me that he's diagnosed with URI but isn't sneezing, coughing, or having any nasal or eye discharge. My vet tested him for FIV, FeLV, and heartworms and all were negative. I'm just a worrier and totally paranoid about my babies when they are sick, so I just wanted to see if anyone here has any advice or words of wisdom.
Any tips on what to do when he's open mouth breathing, if he seems to be having a lot of trouble? I like to be prepared.
Thanks!
This morning he ate some more, drank, used the litterbox, scratched on the window wanting outside. Still obviously feels better. However, he got a little uppity about scratching on the window to go out (hasn't been out in days) and he started open mouth breathing again just for a few minutes. I have a humidifier going in the room he's in, which the vet said to do. Seeing him open mouth breathing again after having the steroids scared me a bit.
Has anyone had similar experiences? It worries me that he's diagnosed with URI but isn't sneezing, coughing, or having any nasal or eye discharge. My vet tested him for FIV, FeLV, and heartworms and all were negative. I'm just a worrier and totally paranoid about my babies when they are sick, so I just wanted to see if anyone here has any advice or words of wisdom.
Any tips on what to do when he's open mouth breathing, if he seems to be having a lot of trouble? I like to be prepared.
Thanks!
