Tommy has bronchitis and asthma

Three pets in to the vet today. Frankie(dog, had knee surgery Nov 1) had his 6 weeks post op check, doing really well!

Emma just needed a rabies shot; she didn't even flinch.

Then Tommy; had to take him in, he has a cough. Cats are NOT supposed to cough. Xrays show he has bronchitis. HOW does an indoor only cat get this? Vet thinks he may also have asthma. Now that he is age 10 years??? Blood work will be back tomorrow, I'll have a phone call with results, and what meds he needs. Could be anti-biotics, if white blood cell count is elevated. Could be cortisone and an inhaler if (darn, I forget what the vet said . . . ) shows elevated. No heart murmur, just rapid breathing and wheezing, and of course he did not cough once in the hour and a half we were there.

The vet tech said Tommy was very curious, wanted to check out all the x ray equipment, nose was twitching, so she had to ask another tech to help hold him.  No need for sedation or 'twilight,' as he wasn't anxious, not nosey ha haaa.

I will update once I have the results of the blood work, and know which meds he has to have.

Vet phoned with lab report on blood work.  No elevated anything!  Vet suggested a procedure which requires anesthesia, to biopsy the fluids in the trachea.  Nope, not willing to put Tommy through that.

Now, I am thinking I will again try to switch the litter from Tidy Cats (very VERY dusty!) to sWheat scoop.  Did that once 2 months back, at that time Emma stopped using the boxes; but it seems she is happy now with her very own box, in the bathroom.  I can switch over the others, and see if that helps Tommy. 

Interesting note:  Tommy did not cough for 32 hours once back home from the vet.  That makes me think it is something here in the house.  And the Tidy Cats dust is my suspicion.  Yes, I have used it for years.  We moved to this house 18 months ago, and the dust has clearly built up . . .  everywhere. 

It could very well be something in the house. Maybe a thorough dusting would help... Bronchitis though can lead to pneumonia. If they want to do a trachea wash then they might suspect something like microplasma as the culprit. Did they suggest complete anaesthesia or sedation?

The vet said anesthesia, not sedation; and did mention tracheal wash.

For now we are waiting for the results of the FeBart test, for Bartonella.  I've never had fleas in the house as far as I know. 

Not familiar with 'microplasma,' will go research that, thanks!