Sonny Part 1 - Asthma

sonnyvincent

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I have two health issues with Sonny that are separate so I'm starting with this thread.

Last April I posted here about Sonny suddenly becoming very clingy. I believe I now know why. Around this time, he had started very infrequently having coughing episodes that lasted around a minute or so but nothing came up. When it first happened I thought it was a fluke, and when it happened again a few weeks later I thought it was hairballs. I got him something to treat hairballs, but over the summer the coughing fits became more frequent although the severity and length stayed at around a minute. No activity or stress would induce the coughing fits. Almost every time, he was sitting right next to me or on my lap sleeping when they started

When it began happening 2-3 times a week I got really nervous and posted on Facebook a video of him. A friend told me her mom's cat is asthmatic and it looked to her like an asthma attack. I never knew cat asthma attack would consist of the loud coughing/hacking or would be so short. When I got paid I took him to the vet, in early November. She took X-rays and blood work. After ruling out other conditions from those things, she pointed out an area of inflammation and then confirmed the asthma diagnosis. She did say he's overweight (at the time 17.4 pounds) and to stop free feeding the cats, which I've done. They now have a plate of food I pour ever night and I give them a can of wet food each day to share between the three.

She put Sonny on 5 mg of prednisolone two times a day for two weeks and said if he did well I could drop the dose to one time a day. She even called me after 2 weeks to see how he was doing and confirm that since his attacks had come to a complete stop that I could lower the dose.

We've been doing well since then. In December I was even hospitalized and the person caring for my cat couldn't get the pills down so Sonny was off them for a week, but his attacks still didn't return.

Fast forward to last week, and out of nowhere he had one of his regular type attacks that he'd had last year. As per the vet's instructions, I upped the dose back to two times a day. Then Tuesday night he was lying on my lap and suddenly an attack started. Only this time it went on and on, for at least 2 minutes. And when the hacking/coughing stopped, he wheezed and squeaked when he breathed for at least a few more minutes before finally recovering from the episode. The next night, the same thing happened only he seemed much more distressed and again the attack lasted much longer than before. i actually thought for a minute that he wasn't going to come out of it. But he did, and again  it was followed by the wheezing and squeaking which had never happened before.

When I woke up yesterday morning his ears were dark pink which only happens when he's stressed out or in pain. First I called the vet to see if there was anything else they could call in, but I called back within an hour and said I really wanted him to be seen. At the appointment, everything was normal according the vet (his lungs and heart sounded good). He was extremely stressed because he is scared to death of being outside, but still everything was normal. He has also lost .4 of a pound. Which isn't a lot in 3 months but not bad considering the prednisolone can cause increased appetite.

The vet added terbutaline, 2.5 mg 3 times a day to start and to continue for now with the prednisolone twice a day. The pharmacy (human) had to order it and it will be in today. Last night I literally did hours of research and it seems that everyone has their asthmatic cats on Flovent (an inhaler) for daily preventative usage as well as albuterol on hand for emergency use due to an asthma attack. The vet did say if her treatment regimen didn't help we'd look at inhalers. But they seem superior to what she prescribed and I am considering calling to see if we could go that route. A site was recommended where I can order it for much cheaper than in the US, originating somewhere in the Caribbean. They all have experience with the site so I think it's legit.

So I guess my question is, anyone on here have a cat with asthma? And what has your line of treatment been? Is it normal for vets to start out with pills THEN go to the inhalers, or would more experienced vets go straight to inhalers?

I can't describe how much I love this cat. I will spend what needs to be spent to take care of him, but I need to know that what I'm buying has the best chance of being effective for him.

Thanks.
 

blackcat416

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My Archie had bad allergies and we used to take monthly for his steroid shot. He lived to 16 and eventually out grew the asthma attacks he would have. We used humidifiers in the winter and purifiers year round. I'm sure it helped big time when we converted the house from carpeting to hardwood floors. Archie was always a very happy and loving cat.
 

di and bob

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My cat had coughing attacks, but it was from an enlarged heart. Was that checked in the x-rays? He is on Lasix now and doing fine. I would definitely call your vet and explain that you feel an inhaler is needed, I would bet she won't argue. You might ask her why she is hesitant in ordering one, she may have a legitimate concern you should know about. Get a second opinion if you are not happy with her response, or call a couple of other vets and see what they feel.  Good luck, I pray you have many more happy years with your little one!
 
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