Cat with asthma can't breathe

My cat Pudden has had asthma most of her life. The original Vet that diagnosed her gave her a Depo shot and that was it. She got better and was able to function on her own. Whenever it acted up it usually cleared in a week or so and she was fine.

This time she started having trouble breathing two weeks ago. It started with a drunken walk that we rushed her to the ER for and was given blood work which came back normal and SubQ fluids. We were then sent home being told to just watch her.

When we brought her home she started coughing then stopped 3 days later. It's at this time she began to have labored breathing and refused food. So we took her back to the ER where she was given x-rays and was found that she was suffering from asthma again. She was given a depo shot and admitted to the hospital for the rest of the day. During that time they also discovered she was suffering from a UTI and was given an antibiotic in shot form.

They kept her another half a day after that and then released her saying her breathing was back to normal. When we brought her home and opened the carrier she walked out hardly able to breath. We were told she was very bad for the removal of her IV upon discharge and we thought maybe she had just excited herself and would calm down. Unfortunately that didn't happen and she began to have severe asthma attacks again.

We called the vet and after speaking with a specialist about her X-rays he concluded she had allergy induced asthma and slight collapsing of the lungs in certain areas. She was then prescribed a bronchodilator called Aminophylline at 25mg twice per day and .5 ml of Prednisolone twice per day.

The first time I gave her the medications she was breathing beautifully for 2 hours. Then she had a severe attack and began very heavy labored breathing. This morning I administered the second round and it did not help at all. She can barely breathe let alone eat. I feel like she is just getting worse and worse.

I know if I call again they will tell me I have to admit her, but we have already spent $1200 so far and have no more money. Our other cat died 2 months ago from oral cancer which cost us $1500. I know money shouldn't matter, but we are just going totally broke. I don't know what to do. Does anyone have any ideas I can give my vet that would pull her out of this. She is suffering and I can't take it anymore. I am beginning to feel hopeless and like all of this is for nothing. I don't want to lose my best friend.

Ok just got back from vet. Puddens stroids were way too low so the new vet upped them. We are hopeful again!

I sure hope the new medication levels help!  It can be very scary when your cat can't breathe.  My only experience with asthma is with a very mild case but my cat often would get infections concurrent with the attacks and would need Clavamox.  That always cleared the problem up.  The one thing I noticed with my cat was that his asthma started up after I moved - I always thought it was related to an allergy to the rugs in the new place.  Anyway, hopefully the increased Prednisolone will do the trick for your Pudden.  It's true money shouldn't matter and in a perfect world it wouldn't, but the reality is that we often just don't have the money for these huge unexpected vet bills.  Hugs to Pudden and best wishes for a full recovery.

Does she have an AeroKat chamber and inhalers? The chamber isn't cheap, but it means you can then use human inhalers which are very cost effective. I honestly think it's a great way to manage asthma - especially as it means you can then have something at home you can use to help ease an attack when it starts.

You might find this site helpful http://www.fritzthebrave.com

LGail said:

 

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Aerokat on amazon.

@LGail   How is Puddens doing now? 

@Columbine Pudden's breathing has become almost perfect with small relapses of labored breathing here and there. I wish I could say my baby will be fine, but unfortunately a new set of problems have risen. She has not urinated since Wednesday morning, over 2 days ago. Also she is retaining huge amounts of water under her skin. She feels very squishy and you can feel the movement of bubbles.

I took her to the Vet. This morning very upset by these symptoms. She has no idea why Pudden is like this. She has never seen it before. Her only conclusion was perhaps Pudden developed a tear in her lung which would realease air out under the skin. She says it is not dangerous and will heal on it's own. She feels Pudden is not urinating because she is dehydrated and wanted me to get more fluids in her. I have to syringe feed her since she still does not eat or drink on her own. The Vet. However has no idea what the water retention is being caused by. I am thinking perhaps it is her kidneys. The Vet. Said it could be but because her bloodwork was perfect 2 weeks ago and she hasn't been on the steroids for long that shouldn't happen.

I am so discoraged with all of this, but I am doing my best to get food and fluids in her. She just ate 30 ml of food not to long ago which is amazing to get in all at once for her. I am going to be giving her pedialyte with the Vets permission as well.

I am hoping the fluid retention subsides and she urinates. We have come so far with her breathing, I can't believe all these new problems. It's heartbreaking.

Poor little girl. Its absolutely heartbreaking to find new issues almost faster than you can treat them. I really hope Pudden picks up soon. Please keep updating. Mega 

Pudden is doing better today. She urinated in her potty box last night at 4:30 in the morning. We were never so grateful to hear her scratching in that box in our lives. The water retention has also gone down quite a bit. I am keeping my fingers crossed it is completely gone tomorrow. She still does not eat or drink on her own, but I don't expect that to happen for awhile. She seems more alert and comfortable. I hope this progress keeps up and she makes a full recovery. Today we feel hopeful.

Great news that she's peeing well. I really hope the water retention is able to resolve itself. Good to hear she's feeling better too.