Emergency!!

Please please help me.
I am afraid that my kitty Dawn is dying.
A month and a helf ago she became ill. She was breathing very hard, as if she could not catch her breath after a strenous workout. I took her to the vet. He gave her 2 shots ( I can only remember that one was an anti-inflamatory) and put her on an antibiotic. He said that it seemed to be like an asthma type thing. Dawn recovered completely, in a few days she was back to her normal self.
Tuesday of this week she started breathing heavy again. I got an antibiotic for her yesterday. Today I took her in and the vet gave her the same 2 shots and also a pink pill that I think he said was prednesone.
I know it is too soon to see results but I think she is getting worse even as I type this. I tried to give her the pill mixed with some canned food. I even fed it to her with a baby spoon. She started to get panicky so I left her alone and with plans to try again later.
She started down the hall a few minutes ago and could only walk a few feet before she stopped and is now just laying on her side.
I am sorry this is so long but I just don't know what to do. I really need someone's help.

You need a vet, take her in NOW!

I hope you are by the vet now and don't read this message .
Please let us know what is going on with your baby .

Originally posted by gert452000

A month and a helf ago she became ill. She was breathing very hard, as if she could not catch her breath after a strenous workout. I took her to the vet. He gave her 2 shots ( I can only remember that one was an anti-inflamatory) and put her on an antibiotic. He said that it seemed to be like an asthma type thing. Dawn recovered completely, in a few days she was back to her normal self.
Tuesday of this week she started breathing heavy again. I got an antibiotic for her yesterday. Today I took her in and the vet gave her the same 2 shots and also a pink pill that I think he said was prednesone.

Click to expand...

When you take Dawn to the vet, ask them to take x-rays of her lungs if this hasn't already been done. I have previous experience with an asthmatic cat, and I know these x-rays are necessary for a definite diagnoses. Also, I agree you should take Dawn to the vet now!

P.S. Please post an update and let us know what you find out.

PLEASE take her to the Vet IMMEDIATELY if you haven't already. The kitty needs medical attention ASAP.It's an emergency case. If you are not satisfied with the diagnosis or lack of one, consider a second opinion at an Animal Hospital or one that specializes in cat care where the proper equipment is availible to do a complete work-up which may also include an echo-cardiogram. Your kitty can have one of several ailments that is causing labored breathing and a process of elimination must also take place. My thoughts are with you and your baby.

As of 8:11 central time Dawn is still with us. She is resting quietly, laying on her side. Her breathing is still very labored and she doesn't have much of a voice, only a little sqeek. I did get some water into her (3 cc's). The vet told me to use any means I have at my dispossal if she should reach a crisis, I thought she was in crisis so I used my son's albuterol inhaler on her. She was breathing with her mouth open so that helped get some of the medicine into her. I gave her 2 puffs of it. I don't know if it has helped or not but it sure didn't hurt. I am considering using his nebulizer on her. The only reason I haven't is because I am afraid that the noise from the machine will scare her.
I do appreciate your advice. I wanted to take her immediately to an emergency vet but there isn't one in our area. We live in a very rural area and there aren't even very many vets. And then my husband said no because of the expense. Its not that he doens't love Dawn its that he is less emotional than I am and thinks he is being practical. But I am at heart sick with worry.
Dawn IS the sweetest kitty I have ever known.

Your cat needs a vet. Asthma is very serious for cats and she could die. There is no easy way to say this, and she could very well be suffering. Please try and get your husband to change his mind and get your cat to the vet quickly! She really needs an ER clinic immediately.

I agree she needs to get to a vet. They could at least put her on a IV for fluids. Keep us updated.

Poor girl, I hope she will pull through.

Dawn has made it through another day. My husband still refuses to take her to an emergency hospital. I can sort of understand his reasoning, we often don't have enough money to last us until the end of the month. Knowing that doesn't make this any easier though.
I was able to feed Dawn some canned food today. I put little bits on a baby spoon. I got her to open her mouth and then scrapped the spoon on her teeth. I gave her water with a syringe. I would give her 1cc at a time for a total of 3 cc's in a sitting. I did both several times today. SHe also got her meds. Her breathing is still labored but does seems easier. She has walked around the house a little bit today. SHe would rest part way but was making the effort.
I will be in touch with the vet again tomorrow. He thought that I was making great progress with her, especially getting the water into her.
Thanks so much for your prayers and please keep Dawan in your praters.

Please do take her to the vet and have them run some tests. I know that money is tight (It is here too sometimes). Is there anyone you two can 'borrow' some money from and pay them back at a later date?

*Sending some good vibes and prayers Dawn's way*.

Good call on the nebulizer..... Or you can use the inhaler, but only if you have a an aero chamber, you the one with they use for little kids.

As for the prednisone, it tastes like crap, soooo, your gonna have to pill her. Which basically is stuffing it down her throat and quickly shutting her mouth and rubbing her throat until she swallows....

Dawn-I know what its like to need to get to a vet when you just don't have the money at the time. Would your vet take payments? I would think if she is dying that they would.

Dawn, our neighbors' dog has severe asthma, and needs both a nebulizer and an inhaler. This is a disease I have a lot of experience with (myself, mother, grandmother, brother (fatal attack - died at 37), nephew, and now the neighbors' dog). Make sure you have both medications on hand at all times. Try to make it clear to your husband that asthma attacks can very well be fatal. And good luck!

Dawn passed over today at 9:10 am. I didn't have a chance to take her to the vet before her time with us was up. I spoke to him and told him that I would be there in a little while and 20 minutes later she was gone.
I called him immediately and he gave me some news.
A few years ago I had him put a kitty down who was dying from luekemia. He told me that she only had hours left and I said okay. I was devastated and very guilt ridden. I asked him to never tell me if one of my cats ever had it. That I didn't want to know until it was over. That is what was wrong with Dawn. When she was into see him on Friday, he knew what it but was following my request. The pills he gave her were only to make her time more comfortable. There will be no charge from him for this week of office visits and meds.
If you don't mind I would like to tell you a little bit about Dawn.
She was born October 3, 2002. We named her Dawn because when she was a baby her fur stood up at odd angels the way that Don King's does. As she grew into her fur, it layed down and became quite beautiful. It was gray and black with just a hint of cream color, it was long and silky. She had the most enormous eyes of any cat I have ever known and they were always smiling. Dawn liked to climb into boxes of every size. It didn't matter how small, if it was a box she would fold herself up into it for a quick nap. She liked to chase her sister up and down the hall. She liked to try and chew my wooden knitting needles and when told "no-no" she would try to chew my toes. She came when her name was called even if you were only talking aobut her and not to her. She would purr with just a look in her direction. Dawn gave us love and was loved by us. We will miss her terribly. Along with us I am sure tht her sister is in mourning. Lucky sat by my side while I stroked Dawn into the next life. Well thats it, except to say thanks for all the good thoughts.

I'm so very sorry!
((((((((((HUGS))))))))
May Dawn rest in peace & enjoy herself to the fullest at the Bridge.

I am very sorry about your loss (((( HUGS ))))

I'm so sorry. Rest in Peace, sweet Dawn.

I'm so sorry about your lovely Dawn. Every story like this makes me cry. But good for your vet, to give you meds to make her as comfortable as possible. I wonder if its worse knowing, or not knowing. At least she was at home with you, that must have been easier for her.

My cats are going to live forever.

I'm so sorry. May you rest in peace, Dawn, the Summerlands welcome you.