Kitty diagnosed with Asthma-using Aerokat

There's no reason that the oral should trigger an attack. Even if you're worked up conciously slow your breathing right down - slow full breaths. That will slow your heart rate and make you appear less anxious to Merlin. I'm sure you've been told this, but be sure to go slow with the liquid meds. It's so tempting to just do one quick squirt, but that can make the patient feel like he's choking and cause panic (I learned that one the hard way :anon: ). One ml at a time is best. I can't tell you how long the prednisone will take to kick in...Cal always had an injection of it when he saw the vet to kick start the treatment. All I can say is that it does make a big difference. We'd see the injection effects within an hour or two. I would think a couple of doses orally sounds about right.

I absolutely respect what you say about not going too long before a decision. I'm much more like you with calling time. Mum finds it harder to let go. There were a few times along the way when I felt 'enough'. Each time it was as though Cal sensed it, and he'd bounce right back and be himself again for a bit. The constant vet vits were mostly before we get the aerokat and the right liquid meds combo - Cal was very clear that he'd prefer to see the vet for a jab than take a tablet at home Of course, our vet situation was different to yours. It's always a personal choice. They let you know when it's time. All I'm saying is give the drugs a chance before you decide.

I know it's so hard to say. I firmly believe in a dignified death, and not keeping them alive out of our need instead of theirs. I also know that if mum had gone with my judgement, Cal would have missed out on 3 extra months of mostly high quality life (begging at mums plate at dinner, shouting for food, sitting with me and interfering with jewellery I was making, playing with his favourite mouse etc etc). Yes, there were bad days, but it's a case of whether the good outweigh the bad or vice versa.

Just remember that Merlin will be frightened right now. Asthma attacks can be frightening when you know what's happening. Cats don't have that luxury. That's why I'm saying give him a little time to get the drugs right first. You're a wonderful mum to him. I can see that you only want what's best,and I respect and applaud you for it. Extraordinary measures I think can and do go too far. We're not talking about that. Its just a simple oral steroid and some inhalers. He'll tell you when it's time. Fear at the early stages of treatment is not the same thing.

Just read the Wits end thread more closely. I would liken yours and Merlin's situation more to a severe injury. An animal hit by a car will be scared and in pain and absolutely not themselves. That doesn't mean that they're untreatable, nor does it mean you have to let go. You give treatment and pain relief and see what happens. After a while they will stabilise and be much more themselves. That may well happen for Merlin. It's a learning curve for you both. Hang in there.

Thank you for your compassionate answer!  Its a lovely day here today and my husband and I have been cooped up dealing with all this now, plus an aged aunts fall, plus my diagnosis.  I am going to give him his meds, give him a good pet and try to get out of the house for a bit if he seems stable.  I get off work in about an hour or so.  Up until a couple of days ago, Merlin would still come out and sit on my lap for a spell until he felt too constricted to lay.  That was as late as Tuesday.  He is only supposed to take 1 ml anyway, so I will try to get it down him as slow as possible.  We got the meds tuna flavored so they wouldn't be that bitter to him and his stomach.  He is eating better, but they did give him an appetite enhancer.  Its in pill form, so if he stops eating again I don't know if I can give him that pill or not.  Hopefull he will continue to eat.  He did go to the pan this morning, but that's what set off his attack.  I think the activity, not the litter.  But that is a new litter, but its lower dust than his old stuff.    The other one I have is dustier, but he didn't have any issues on it.  I don't know if its related or not.    I will get the oral meds in him and see how he does.  Glad to know an approximate on the meds.  I won't hold you to it though.  Thanks again

Gave him his liquid meds and he is struggling so hard to breathe.  not breathing through his mouth but struggling to take in breaths.  He is beyond miserable.   He is so pitiful right now.

Poor Merlin. Hope it passes soon. Does he panic when you give his meds? Trying to understand why they trigger an attack. Just stay calm and reassure him. It will pass.

Its not that. His breathing is so bad that any activity makes him miserable.  that is what I'm trying to get across.  since yesterday he has been very bad

I understand. Cal was that way at first. I'm sorry if it felt like I'd missed what you were getting at. All I can say is give it time and comfort him as best you can. When the prednisone kicks in it will improve. It's just that the waiting is so hard.

Its ok. Im just stressed.

Husband and i taking a drive and having dinner. My hovering may be making him more stressed.

Got home and he seemed fine, went outside for a bit and came in and he was laying on the kitchen floor having the starts of an attack.  we called the ER vet and they said to bring him in asap.  my husband is taking him.  I am just beside myself.  Crying like a child.  I told my husband that if they need to keep him to get him stabilized then that is what I wanted.  I don't have the emotional stability right now to watch him struggle like this.  If I have to pay to have him watched at the hospital I will do it.  I don't want to give up on him, but I think he is worse than everyone thinks he is because he gets over things before they see him.  I love him so much, I'm just heart broken.

I'm so sorry, MerlinsMom. And again, whatever you think is best IS the best decision for both you and Merlin. You are a great cat mom who cares deeply and loves Merlin so much. He certainly knows that! Please keep us updated and if you need to talk, please do. 

The vet is going to keep him overnight. We will see what they can do for him. They will call us in the morning

I'm so sorry. I hope he stabilisers ok. It's so hard when they're bad. Try not to panic. Tons of to you both.

Called the vet this morning, and though his respirations are better they don't think its good enough to let him go. They are going to keep him another 24 hours.  I am ok with that for now  I need a good evaluation for him.  They say he is still very lethargic and they don't want to let him go yet.  I'm more relaxed knowing today that is being taken care of.  But I am have been grieving since yesterday.  I can't keep up this level of upset.  My liver is aching and my throat hurts.  Its like losing my child a little bit at a time.  we will see how things go in the next 24 hours

At least it sounds like you'll have a really thorough picture of his situation soon. I've been thinking about you both all day. I really hope the news is positive. This stage is one of the cruellest times. You're doing everything possible for Merlin. He's lucky to have you.

Update:  The vet called around 3 pm. He said that they are continuing treatment, but Merlin is still lethargic.  They said have his respirations down, but they are not sure, due  his age, if he will bounce back from this and they aren't sure if his airways have remodeled and this may be perm.  I guess I need some advice on a sensitive subject.  If we find that he isn't responding and we have to put him down to save him anymore suffering, I can't decide whether to go while they do this.  My husband will go, but he says I will regret if I don't go.  everytime  I even talk about it I start to hyperventilate and start to have pain in my back.   Part of me just wants to bring him home, but it isn't like dying of cancer, he would be slowly suffocating and that would be more for me than him.  My husband went alone with our dear five year old kitty, but he was obviously sick and in pain.  His kidneys were shut down.  I loved him, but I wasn't near as close with him as I am merlin.   I want to say goodbye, but I don't want to be so upset that I upset him in his final moments.  Any advice in this would be appreciated.  I've never been with an animal that has been put down and I'm scared he will do something I will carry with me the rest of my life, but I also don't want to leave him.  Help

I am so so sorry. You're absolutely right - pts is better than natural death in this case. Cal's death was natural - he'd not been quite right all day, I gave him his evening meds, he fought, wet himself on me and went into respiratory distress. Took him to the vet and he died before they could administer anything. It's the one thing I regret with him, but there was very little warning as he'd been relatively ok the previous day.

You must do what feels right to you. You may regret not being there to say goodbye,but you may not. If it's possible to sedate him before the final injection,then a compromise might be the best choice - he's sedated, then you can go in to be with him. He'll know you're there but won't be as sensitive to your emotions.

Huge I had a bad feeling after your last post. No one can make it any better. You've given him a fantastic life. Remember, a lot of illnesses are far more drawn out. He's had very little suffering compared to many.

If can't tell you the right choice for you. I've been there and not been there when my babies have gone over the years. There is no right or wrong. Going may give you a chance to see him at peace. At least that way, your final image won't be of him fighting for breath. All the pts deaths I've been at have been peaceful if that's any help.

Thank you for your kind replies during this. I think we are planning to go over tomorrow night so we can see him. Just sit with him. We will not do it that day. If he is unable to recover my husband will go back the next day and be with him. If I am holding him I wont be able to let them do it. I love him too much

At approximately 8:45 am this morning, Merlin crossed over the rainbow bridge.  The doctor said he had improved overnight but he had gotten worse this morning.  We had planned to go see him this evening and see what we would do, but after the vet hung up, like 2 mins later, he said Merlin started having a seizure and went nonresponsive.  He was barely alive and we decided to help him go.  It was as if the Lord told the poor little guy it was time to go and take this devastating decision out of our hands.  Thanks for all your support