Chronic, Life Threatening Head Cold

Back in April our cat fell, hurt his back and was given steroids for 2 weeks.  When the course of steroids was finished, he developed what I'd call a head cold - sneezing, congestion, runny nose, difficulty breathing.

Since then he has seen 5 different vets, including 2 specialists and been on non-stop medications including anti-biotics, anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-inflamatories, in the form of liquids, pills and nose drops.  He's had 2 surgical procedures to manually clear out his nose and take cultures and a non-surgical culture was also taken.  He's no better now than he was in April.  The only thing keeping him alive is the last vet put him on canine appetite stimulants because his nose is so plugged up he can't smell the food and he stops eating. 

As time goes on he just seems to be getting worse despite all the drugs.

He was abandoned when we found him 3 years ago so we're not sure how old he is, maybe 10 or 12 years.  He's an orange tabby and other than this issue has always been healthy, playful and with a great appetite.

PLEASE HELP!!! Any advice or ideas are welcome!!!  We're at our wits ends!!!

Welcome to our site.  We have many knowledgeable members here that might be able to offer some advice soon.

Is it possible that all this could be allergies?  I mean, what else could it be?   Very strange!  But of all the thing you mentioned they have tried giving him, none of them seemed to be allergy type pills, and cats DO get allergies!  (just a thought)

Thanks. We'll chat with the vet about that possibility tomorrow when we go. It's just a horrendous mystery. Appreciate the input!

Is there a possibility that when he fell he hurt his lungs? Did they do x-rays at all?

1cat1dog said:

...He's had 2 surgical procedures to manually clear out his nose and take cultures and a non-surgical culture was also taken...

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BUT, was he examined for this condition:

• sneezing
• nasal discharge
• gagging

• difficulty breathing or eating
• head shaking
• ear scratching
• discharge from the ear
• ....

Of course, these clinical signs are seen with other conditions that affect young cats (e.g., upper respiratory infections and ear infections/mites), but when these more common problems have been ruled-out, the presence of a nasopharyngeal polyp must be considered.

http://www.petmd.com/blogs/fullyvet...October 23, 2012&utm_campaign=FV#.UMdj9qywV7k

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Prednisone can depress the immune system. It's possible that he picked up a herpes virus when he wasn't able to fight it off. It's something to ask your vet.

His symptoms sound a lot like my big guy who has a chronic herpes infection. I've been working with my vet for the last year to try to get it under control. The one thing that seems to help most is also the cheapest. I give him L-lysine every day with his wet food. I do have to be consistent keeping him on a maintenance dose. If I miss 2 or 3 days in a row his sneezing and stuffy nose come back.

Thank you ALL for the great input! We're going to the vet tomorrow and now I've got a lot more to discuss with her!

GoldyCat said:

Prednisone can depress the immune system. It's possible that he picked up a herpes virus when he wasn't able to fight it off. It's something to ask your vet.
His symptoms sound a lot like my big guy who has a chronic herpes infection. I've been working with my vet for the last year to try to get it under control. The one thing that seems to help most is also the cheapest. I give him L-lysine every day with his wet food. I do have to be consistent keeping him on a maintenance dose. If I miss 2 or 3 days in a row his sneezing and stuffy nose come back.

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Very solid advice from GoldyCat...if I were dealing with this and if all physiological causes had been reasonably ruled out, I would definitely pursue some very aggressive antiviral and immune strengthening strategies. Her reference to the need for long-term, persistent treatment is critically important

Many of those - including L-lysine -  are outlined here (halfway down, see Internal Holistic Options) http://www.holisticat.com/uri.html

(Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook 7th edition suggests up to 500mg twice daily - 1000mg daily -  of L-lysine, and speaks to the requirement of long-term treatment. From my experience, it's easiest to use in powder form: buy capsules, open and sprinkle/mix powder into wet foods.)

I'm sure you'll keep us posted.

Thanks.  Believe me, we're not opposed to long-term treatment.  As long as he's happy and living a comfortable life, I'll medicate him until the cows come home!  I appreciate all the input!

Just canNOT resist....

1cat1dog said:

...I'll medicate him until the cows come home!

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1cat....1 dog.........AND COWS too?????????

Please keep us updated on progress!  I've not seen anything like this before.  I would tend to agree with some of the others that it may be an allergy of some kind.  Hope you get to the bottom of this real soon!