Hanks asthma/allergies

One of our babies, Hank is about 4 years old and has pretty nasty respiratory issues. He takes an albuteral inhaler through an Aerocat daily and it helps his wheezing but he is still a terrible snotty mess. He sneezes often and is usually a big wet mess. We had him on pred or a long time (about 2 years) but he gained weight fast and I worry about kidney issues (especially afte what we went through with Rex a few months ago). So we've weaned him off the steroids. Does a time have experience with treatif cat allergies like Nasal issues? I'm looking for more opinions on this. The vets answer is to start pred again. I'm not a fan of that. Thanks!!

*does anyone have experience... Sorry for the typo

Hi there, 

I am very sorry your kitty is going through a hard time. There are alternative treatments for asthma and allergies that many people have found effective. Asthma is caused by inflammation so you can try feeding a species appropriate diet which is naturally anti-inflammatory. Dr. Lisa Pierson, a vet who concentrates on felines and has a lot of knowledge on feline nutrition, states many cases of asthma are treated effectively by switching to a grain free wet diet (http://catinfo.org/#Feline_Asthma). Dr. Karen Becker another great vet has an article and youtube video on feline asthma and she has a list of things you can do to treat this (http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/12/27/feline-asthma.aspx). 

Here is the video:

Has he ever been tested for Feline Herpes?  He may have it, especially with all the respiratory issues.  Also, have you had any of his nasal discharge tested with a culture and sensitivity test to see if he has a secondary infection that's not being addressed?  If not, I'd do those two things.  If he has herpes, it's a catch 22 situation as steroids are not good since the suppress the immune system.  However, since he has asthma, steroids help him breathe better and reduce inflammation in the lungs.  If you address the snotty situation and see if there's an underlying infection, that might help both the nasal/respiratory issues as well as the asthma.

Some things you can do in the meantime is switch him to a grain-free diet, mostly or strictly canned, especially if he's a bit overweight from the steroids.  (Hubby has asthma and is frequently on steroids so I know how that goes!)  Also, you can add Lysine to his diet, 1000mg a day to start with given in 2 does of 500mg each.  You can get tablets at the health food store or in the supplement section of the store and crush between 2 spoons.  Many of us with herpes kitties use the powdered Lysine that comes in a 1 pound container.  I buy mine either NOW brand or VitaCost brand from Amazon.  1/4 teaspoon equals 500 mg.  Just sprinkle on canned food, add a bit of water to help it dissolve and serve.

I am also thinking there is something more going on here than asthma.  Asthma usually doesn't create the wet mess that you're talking about.  Normally it's the attacks of not being able to breathe, which of course are bad.  There isn't the snotty nose or productive cough type thing.

Of course all avenues should be explored to avoid permanent steroid use but if after trying everything else it may come back to that point.  I have a cat that has been on a low dose for 2 1/2 years,  and I know that ultimately it will shorten his life but it's also about quality of life.  I think it is important to use the lowest possible amount to control the symptoms.  I have been successful in controlling the weight issue with Patches.  He did get a little large partly my fault because I was so happy to see him eating again but he has now lost the weight.

see thats where my thoughts are coming from too.... i have had asthma since birth. and i know its a little different in people and cats... however, there is a large difference between when he is coughing (happens on occasion) and when he is sneezing. the big, wet, projectile kind of sneezing is what bothers me.

He's been on and off antibiotics at times... never tested for Herpes that i know of though. i suppose that is my next step!

We've tried different kinds of diets and not seen a change. for a long time we thought his issues needed a gluten free diet and we even went as far as straight up raw - to no avail.

it changes some when pollen gets worse... which is why i thought an antihistamine or benedryl could help. i appreciate the advice... i think a trip to a second vet is in order
 

also, tell me about these patches... we weaned the steroid use based purely on the fact that he went from a healthy 8-10 lb weight to over 20 lbs at last weigh in. and he's young... i just cant justify shortening his life or making him fat just to prevent some sneezing... and to be quite honest: i didnt notice a huge change in his respiratory issues when on the pred...

If the steroid doesn't help then I certainly wouldn't continue using it.  Patches has IBD and it has helped him a lot.  If this were allergy related the pred would certainly have helped.  I would look at herpes as a possibility.  

You could go ahead and start him on the Lysine.  It doesn't have any side effects so if it doesn't help it isn't going to make things worse.  I would bring up the possibility of herpes to the vet.

thanks Denice I'll be calling the vet today to schedule a test for Herpes...


We have tried a lot to get the weight off of Hank. (reduced food intake, more exercise change in food type, etc)... did you find an easy way to get Patches weight off?
 

Patches didn't get real overweight and I was overfeeding so it wasn't hard for him to loose weight.  Some of it too is the natural build of a cat, his is naturally long and thin.

Their natural diet high protein low carb works well.  Do you still feed raw?  If he eats it well you could go back to that.  Be very careful about reduced food intake because of something called fatty liver disease when their caloric intake is reduced too much.  The rule of thumb to avoid fatty liver is 15 calories per pound of their ideal weight.   If you don't want to go back to raw a wet no grain food would work well.  With canned food one 5.5 ounce can of food spread out across meals is enough.

Awesome advice. Thanks a ton!!