STUFFY NOSE

My 15 year old Cornish Rex (Odessa) has had a lot of problems this year, with congestion and a stuffy nose.  She has had antibiotic shots, antibiotic medicine given with a syringe, and other medicine for a viral infection.  I have been giving her powdered L-Lysine in her food for several weeks, and that seems to be helping, but not enough.  A Vet Technician friend suggested, I get a humidifier, but I just don't know.  I'm worried the air would be too cold from the humidifier.  My friend also suggested, Odessa may be suffering from stress, because she recently had dental surgery.

Odessa has to be very warm.  Her favorite is to cuddle up, way at the bottom of her comforter.  I even have a heated bed for her, and a heating pad set on the very lowest setting, which she loves.  She likes laying on her side, with the tips of her paws, under the heating pad.  She looks like a human, lounging on her side, with her head laying up against her comforter.  Other times, she curls up with her nose, and half of her face, under the heating pad.

I thought, maybe this is adding to her congestion, but she thrives for heat, and I can't take any of this away from her.

Any suggestions?

Thank you.

Judith

I think the humidifier is a good idea. If she has a heating pad, she probably won't get cold. You can also take her into a bathroom filled with steam from a hot shower - that might help.

I don't have much experience with respiratory problems so hopefully someone who does will pipe in. It's interesting she has to be kept so warm. Do you have faith in your vet? You might want to consider a second opinion. Also I'm wondering if allergies might be a problem.

I hope Odessa feels better soon. Great name, btw. [emoji]128570[/emoji]

I 2nd the steam treatment with the shower.  One of my cats does not like to be picked up and carried around.  I carried him to the bathroom with him fighting me when he had a URI.  After the first treatment he demanded his treatments from me when I got home from work every day until his URI went away.  He also steamed himself by sitting in the bathroom whenever my hubby or I took a shower.

I love my Vet, and he has been treating Odessa since she was a kitten.  I have also seen 2 other Vets in the office.  Yes, Odessa has allergies, but I did not have luck using Benedryl.  Do you have any suggestions for allergy problems?

Thanks!

I think, I will try the bathroom steam for Odessa.  She is very persnickety, and she may give me a hard time, getting her into the bathroom, and keeping her there.  

How long should I try to keep her in the bathroom?

Thanks!

Judeez said:

I love my Vet, and he has been treating Odessa since she was a kitten.  I have also seen 2 other Vets in the office.  Yes, Odessa has allergies, but I did not have luck using Benedryl.  Do you have any suggestions for allergy problems?

Thanks!

Click to expand...

I wish I could help you with allergies but I don't have any experience with them. Hopefully someone who does will come along. Also you could try asking your vet if he or she has any advice. Since they know what your girl is going through and you have a good, long term relationship with them, you might even get some advice over the phone.

I do find it curious that Odessa needs to be kept so warm. I've had several senior cats and have never seen that before.

The warmth thing is the nature of Cornish Rex cats.  A friend has had a couple, and his cats were the same way.  If you haven't seen one, they have practically no hair.

Oh, that makes sense. I should have thought of that!