Kitty's had a cold for a while now

Hello,

My 10 year old cat ( who has asthma/allergies) has come down with a mild cold. He has been sneezing ( not multiple in a row more like just one big sneeze here and there) , head shaking, and swallowing a lot. He then starting coughing a few days in ( he normally only coughs when his asthma is acting up) and it seemed like the sneezing improved.

He was given a steroid injection and an antibiotic injection( covenia) about a week ago, and is now on l-lysine ( I try to give 500-1000mg a day)

Now the coughing has started to improve and it seems like the sneezing is returning.

Do I just need to allow more time for the treatments to work or for the illness to pass ? I have spoken to the vet numerous times and he has been in to the vet twice in two weeks. His ears were swabbed, clear of any infection, no fever.

All the while my poor guy just seems like he feels under the weather and isn't totally himself. Still eating and drinking normally. Just more lethargic and grumpy.

Hoping to get my guy back to normal asap.

I also want to mention this started about two weeks ago, first vet trip was on the 13th, he was clear of any ear infection then and no fever. Put on l lysine then.

Second trip was the 16th given both injections then.

You didn't mention what you normally do for his allergies, and since it's the sneezing that's returning, to me it sounds like plain old allergies that might be bothering him at this point.  I know when my allergies are bad, I get itchy ears, and that could explain why he was shaking his head, etc.

Is he on any type of antihistamine for allergies?  That might just be the ticket here, although I don't really know.  But since you mentioned he has allergies already, just thought I'd throw it out there. 

im pretty sure it's some kind of cold as our other cat has it too just way milder, sneezing and ear shaking.

The cat who is worse is the older one, you can definitely hear the congestion and that he's coughing up/ swallowing down mucus. The vet thinks his normal coughing is asthma or some kind of allergy induced asthma. Usually I just try to clean heavily and keep windows closed and it usually goes away. The allergy/asthma cough is never accompanied by anything else.

I'm just concerned because he's been feeling under the weather for so long. He is on l-lysine and was just put on amoxicillin last night.

I just feel so bad because I hate seeing him feel bad everyday.

He's still eating,drinking, and going to the bathroom normally.

Is it possible we are treating this with the right stuff? Should I be seeing improvement by now?

Just try to warm up his food so it's stinky which will help him smell it better.  And if he (they) get too congested, try putting them in a steamy bathroom.  Other than that, since they are already under a Vet's care, not sure what to advise.

Maybe there's something in this thread that might help:  http://www.thecatsite.com/t/316764/cat-cold-severe

He is eating and drinking fine which I am glad about. I do think his coughs have become less frequent but what makes me the most worried is how he's still lethargic. He's just not himself, grumpy, and sleeping more.

How long is too long for him to be this way?

Can the amoxicillin make him lethargic?

I have not heard of lethargy being a side effect unless they are also suffering OTHER normal side effects like nausea and diarrhea.  Since he's not having those particular side effects, then I wouldn't think it's the antibiotic. 

Maybe it's time for a second opinion?  Maybe there's something else going on here

Luckily today there's been some definite improvement . He's more himself and peppier . Thank god, hoping for a full recovery soon!

What kind of food (brand, type) do you feel him? Just curious.

webmiss said:

He is eating and drinking fine which I am glad about. I do think his coughs have become less frequent but what makes me the most worried is how he's still lethargic. He's just not himself, grumpy, and sleeping more.

How long is too long for him to be this way?

Can the amoxicillin make him lethargic?

Click to expand...

I am a human doctor, not a vet, and any advice concerning your cat that I give should be checked with your vet,  In humans, however, amoxicillin does NOT cause drowsiness, and I cannot see how this would be different in cats! 

I am more concerned that the drowsiness is related to his underlying illness and suggest that you discuss this with your veterinarian.

With regards,

Geoffrey

I am a vet assistant (currently inactive), and I have never seen amoxi cause lethargy or drowsiness. I'm glad he's improving, though.

Keep us posted!

he eats a combination of royal canin and hills.

We still are a little better and acting like were feeling a little better but still seem to have some drainage/mucus as we are still coughing and swallowing alot. Also still ear shaking . (never had any nasal discharge) I am praying after a few more days on the antibiotics he will finally kick this cold. Poor guy.

Anyone have any clue what it could be exactly that he has? Or a similar experience?

Ok. We've been on our anti biotics amoxicillin for 7 days now and he's definitely better, we've also been on l-lysine for 2-3 weeks. No improvement came until the addition of antibiotics, or it maybe was simply just the course of time, I do not know.

At this point were definitely better, but I can still hear some congestion ( like when he purrs) , I still notice some hard swallowing, and head shaking.

Thoughts?

No ideas, but so glad he's getting better.  What a relief!