Congested Kitty

pcpayne2305

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Charlie is my sweet girl, in December she presented with what I thought were hairballs.  Realizing after things didn't improve I took her to the vet.  she was also presenting with congestion.  her purr's made a gurgle sound - she was put on a round of clavamox - and a discussion about blood work was started.  the clavamox started to make things better. 

I gave it a couple weeks - had a delay to get back into the vet and so took her to a new place where her old vet is at.  we did xrays, blood work etc.  they started her on thyroid meds - Methimazole - we go in Friday for her 8 week check up.  she has lost 6 lbs since last august.   I kept bugging them because the congestion didn't seem to be getting better.  she got  steroid shot - that seemed to help - it moved the congestion from what sound like her throat to her nose - she was (what I thought was coughing) was sneezing.   that has improved greatly.  she still sneezes, and when she eats she snorts a little - which I think is partly causing her to not eat much. 

she was started on azithromyacin, cerenia, chlorphenaramine, appetite simulants,  and I do saline drops in her nose 2 times per day.  this actually made a big difference. 

I have not changed anything in her environment.  I don't use chemicals to clean, no new anything.  I am at a loss.  I am willing to do what I need to but thousands of dollars for allergy tests that may not tell us anything is not in the budget right now.  the last round of tests, xrays (which were clear) I am still paying for. 

I am looking for any advise on something to try.  she has also had several rounds of not eating due to her not being able to smell by being congested.  she is more alert than she was.  more stable.  but still doesn't eat much - I have tried to get her off chicken food - I have tried limited ingred foods.  etc.  I don't want her to lose anymore weight.  I was hand feeding her a week ago - but got her to eat on her own. 

I am at a loss.  anything that can be offered to try, if anyone has had this.  oh, she has no discharge eyes, nose etc.  sneezing etc. Nothing.  she just seems mildly congested - which is affecting her smell. 

Help Please

Pam - Charlie's Mom
 

misterwhiskers

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Can the vet do a culture? Is feline herpes possible? Has she been tested for FIV and feline leukemia?

A simple bacterial infection should have cleared up, in my opinion. With the clavamox. So I think she needs a culture..

If your current vet isn't helping try another vet. I'm sorry she's so stubbornly ill. My cat just was finally given anti viral meds (famciclovir) after years of half assed treatment by 4 different vets. He was getting secondary bacterial infection. Not that that is what your cat has, but it's possible too.
 
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stephanietx

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You can try running a humidifier close to where she spends most of her time or steam her in the bathroom.  Get the bathroom good and steamy, then sit in there with her until the steam dissipates.  I usually take mine into the bathroom with me while I shower.  You could also try giving her saline drops.  We use Little Remedies Little Noses saline drops.  Did the vet rule out asthma?
 
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pcpayne2305

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As it turns out she was in acute liver failure.  The blood work from yesterday didn't come back as was thought.  Thyroid ended up normal - liver enzymes were extremely high.  Very different (opposite) from 8 weeks ago.

Thank you for the suggestions and responses.  I hope others have a better turnout and a longer time with their furry children.  Just 3 weeks shy of 5 years was not long enough!

Pam
 
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pcpayne2305

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Yes I am.  Her blood work came back with extremely high liver enzymes she was in acute liver failure. 
 
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pcpayne2305

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Hi,  not really.  her original blood work didn't have any indication.  But then again she didn't respond well to any of the things we tried including going in the bathroom, I even ordered humidifier balls after your last post - they were supposed to be here yesterday but didn't come, nor meds well.  I adopted her almost 5 years ago - on the day my gram passed - and didn't have any history as she was a stray.   so I didn't have any kind of history or anything.  I have been thru liver failure before, I was pretty sure I saw signs a few weeks ago - but since the blood work didn't indicate liver I wasn't sure.

I could have waited a few more days or week but it would only have been for me - and I didn't want to watch her decline, she wasn't eating again etc.  or make her suffer.  so I made the decision and I get her back in her beautiful box on Thursday.  I have 2 others I lost 4 & 6 years ago so they will all be together. 

I truly believe I will see her and all of them in heaven all perfect and with the memory of me and how much they were loved.  They are for many of us our "children".   

thank you again for your idea, thoughts and compassion.

pam
 
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