Still sneezing after Clavamox

I happened to find this site but some stroke of luck. If anyone knows anything about Clavamox and sinus infections it would really help. I rescued a kitten from a lady who had too many, unfortunately he was quite ill, sneezing alot with mucous. I've been to the vet twice already and Niles has been on Clavamox twice, doctors orders. I'm worried because he looks really healthy for two or so days after his pills are done but quickly begins sneezing up more mucous within three days of completion.
My vet is not in until Monday and I was wondering if anyone else has had simillar problems. The vet said that Niles appeared healthy in all other respects, including his teeth, but he now has really bad breath since comming off his meds.
Thanks in advance for any help. Ange.

I would go to a health food store and get a small bottle of Grapefruit Seed Extract or GSE. Buy the liquid, then go to the store and buy some wet cat food, or even baby food and mix 3 drops of the liquid into the cat food once a day and feed it to your cat. The stuff has properties that are amazing and will kill any harmful bacteria or fungus inside kitty. I swear by it, use it all the time.

On the non natural side, he may just need a different antibiotic. Not all viruses respond the the same medication. I would make sure they don't put him back on the same one.

The grapefruit drops sound like a great idea, I will run out today so that Niles at least has a head start on the vet. I was also thinking the same thing Sandy, new meds is a must!

Do either of you know any cat that has had these problems chronically....if so have they had to continuosly be on meds.....it just sounds crazy.

Thanks again for the help....any new ideas would be great.
P.S. does the GSE help with the bad breath
problem?

Thanks, Ange.
Niles just sneezed a thank you as well....

Well, actually, no viruses respond to antibiotics......

Which is probably the problem. It sounds like your kitty has something other than a bacterial infection. Clavamox only kills bacteria.

If he was never vaccinated, or was vacinated too late, he might have calici rhinotracheitis. Since rhinotracheitis is a herpes infection, it will recur throughout his lifetime.

Both of these are caused by viruses and as such Calvamox would have no effect against them. Since as yet people are still dying of AIDS I doubt the grapefruit thing has any anit-viral properties, either (an apology to all the health-food-store aficianados out there) and I would also be leary of giving anything to my cat that was not specifically produced for cats, as many things the human body can tolerate are poisonous to cats.

Cooie,
It sounds like you have a greater understanding of these sorts of infections. I was upset to hear that this sort of thing may be recurrent throughout his lifetime, but I suppose I should have expected it.
The home I rescued him from had several cats that desperatly needed homes...most of the cats were sick but Niles appeared to be free of those problems.....that was until I got him home. My biggest dilemma is the fact that the vet bills keep piling up and he does not appear to be getting better.
I've never heard of calici rhinotracheitis, the vet did mention the possibility of rhinotracheitis but I don't recall the term calici....is this the same thing? please excuse my lack of knowledge in these subjects, I appreciate your understanding.
you were correct in assuming that he did not recieve any vacinations until I got ahold of him...he is now eight months old, I've only had him for a month.

unsure of next step to take now. thanks anyhow.Ange.

First, yes most "virus's" are not treatable by antibiotic. This is not true in all problems classified as a virus. The upper respitory infections in cats are commonly called a virus. When they get treated, it's usually because they have developed a secondary bacterial infection. These upper respitory problems are also referred to as an airborn viral disease. Unless the cat has classic symptoms then the vet would have to do several tests to see which respitory disease it has. Rhinotracheitis is an upper respitory infection that causes sneezing, loss of appetite, fever and some eye inflamation. The other is classified as FCV wich is the same thing but creates ulcers in the cats mouth.This is the feline calicivirus. If a cat has either of these, it does not mean they have herpes virus. All of these things thrive in overcrowded and unclean enviroments and so it's very common among cats from feral colonies, shelters and breeders. All of these things are passed very easily. Yes, most cats exposed to all of these things as kittens or even adults can become carriers or have reoccurance. It can come back or be shed when a cat is stressed or out of the blue. There have also been cases where a cat recovers 100% and it's never seen again. So it's not 100% that a cat infected will have this problem.
There are over 30 antibiots available for use in cats. Most vets start with the simple amoxicillin which is essentially what you were given. Of course every patient is different as is the cause of the infection. A kitty cold that lasts more than a week needs an antibiotic. If the vet is unwilling to try something else, I would get a second oppinion.

I haven't had a chance to speak with the vet at this point but I plan on trying a new antibiotic either way. If this vet does not want to try something else then I will seek a second opinion. I wish that something decisive could be said about my kitten's condition, and perhaps the vet could look into some testing to help with the situation.
I am releaved to hear that some of these virus's can be cleared to some degree, it sounds like Niles has only a couple of the symptoms but not all of them.
Each day he looks a little healthier and he hasn't stopped destroying the house with all of his playing...so I supose that this is something to count as a good sign.
He does not have a fever or loss of appetite, infact I would say he has an increased appetite.
Regardless of everything else, I love this kitten and I will do whatever it takes to ensure he is most comfortable and as healthy as he can be.

thanks Sandie for your encouragement, i'll let you know what the vet has to say later on this evening. It's off to school for me now...bye. Ange.

Hi there,
Sorry for the long wait, I've had two major assignments due at school and I haven't been able to post an update. Niles went to see the vet only to be told we should try him once more on the clavamox, this time for longer...
I tryed to convince the vet that perhaps twice was enough to recognize that it was inneffective, he disagreed....who am I to say?
I hate feeling like I'm being strung along and worse still, Niles' health is on the line.
One good thing is that he wants me to suppliment this treatment with a drug they use for FIV.
I have no recollection of the name as they had to order it in and will have to wait and see. He also received his second booster shot which may help as well. Here's to hoping the vet is right.
Either way I am on the hunt for a new vet immediately. Niles was a real trooper though, kept so calm through all those horrible routines. What a sweetie he has been, tons of bunting and lots of kisses.
Hope all of you are doing well, keep in touch.

Ange.

Oh lord!! I think you need another vet. Usually they don't try the immune boosting drugs unless the cat is in real trouble. If you find another vet, I would make sure and tell them everything that has been done.

Hi Sandie,
I was a bit surprised that the vet did not even want to do any blood work before trying a new med. I wish I new more about these things!
I am still on the search for a good vet, one that comes highly recomended so I can avoid these sorts of problems.
What exactly can this drug do to a cat? I had no idea it could be harmful, however, I was frightened when he mentioned FIV and then decided to try a drug without being certain that my kitten had this sort of problem or not.
Can they tell if a cat has this FIV without a blood test?
I'm really upset, I wish I could go with someone who new more about these things then I do.
On an up note, Niles seems to be doing better again back on the Clavamox...whatever that means, this may only be temporary. I'm trying not to get too excited because each time he is on this drug he improves quikly but regresses upon completion.
I developed a role of film I took of Niles, they turned out so well....he is absolutely adorable. I will see if my friend can scan them onto her computer and perhaps I can share them with you...not sure if thats alowed or not...have no clue.
Anyhow, I will speak with you later. Thanks again for the advice. Ange

OYE!!! In order to confirm anything such as FELV and FIV they need to do a blood test. Yes, if a cat it chronicly ill they usually recomend doing to a test to rule it out. However, this vet has kept him on the same antibiotic and he can't really be classified as chronic unless at least a few treatment options have been utilized. It is VERY common for cats to have upper respitory infections. Especially when purchased through pet stores or shelters.
Have you looked for a vet who only does cats yet? Sometimes they seem to be more reliable and they diagnose feline problems with more ease.
Oh heck yes, you can post as many pictures as you like. We like to share and see everyone's lil' ones. When you get them, feel free and if you need help, let me know.

Its been 12 years and I need to know what happened to your kitty!!

Mine is experiencing this.

Well have baby kitten ,..found 4weeks old..ferel...had on amoxicillin..Fri cleared. But then started sneezing again...now on clavamox...still sneezing. I feel maybe something more may be wrong...or does it take longer sometimes.,.she,s now 6 weeks old...have a wormer from vet...any suggestions?

I have a 7 year old, choc Persian, Melvin, who had similar probs when he was a baby. After 1 1/2 years of antibiotics and a bunch of other awful stuff (steroids, allergy pills, etc.), I finally forced the doc to do a blood test of all the diseases that cause rhinisitis.  He came positive for Calici.  This kitty has the tiniest nostrils you have ever seen.  He never really gets better, there's only different levels of bad.  HAVING SAID THAT.....we live with it.  He gets hot compresses3-4 ties a day on his face, which seems to clear his nose up.  At the same time, I keep his eyes wiped from mucus/"sleep"/boogies.  He gets 500 mg L-Lysine 2x day, which also helps.  He does get sick enough 2-3 x per year to where he has to take the antibiotics, which I switch between 3 different ones.  He also gets nebulizer (by prescription) treatments on occasion with just plain saline, but you can do just about the same if you turn the shower on really hot and plug any leaks so you get a good steam and keep him in there for 5 minutes, and see if it helps.  I also noticed that he does worse if he has hairballs, so being a Persian, he gets laxatone (or whatever you prefer) every day.  But your kitty is short hair, so I would think once a week and see how it goes.  Also make sure you change his water (scrub his bowl with soap) 2 times a day. I thought I was just imagining these last two duties were helping, but without letting on my findings, an acquaintance who is the head of a local large cat rescue told me of these two things when I told him of Melvin's illness. 

The main thing is give him love and do what you can.  After spending about $6K on Melvin, I got sick with multiple sclerosis, and am broke, so Melvin gets the treatment I can do, but I do make sure he always gets the above.  He may get the least expensive antibiotic when he needs them, but he does not miss out on anything else.  I shop around for the L-Lysine and the Laxatone/Petromalt (whatever is cheaper), and make sure he gets lots of love.  Melvin is he son II never got to have and I look at it as we are supporting each other thru the other's disease/illness.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.  He's had a lot of other issues too!!

Deby

Has anyone experienced the sneezong while on clavamox? Its sounds like your kitty's dealt with it beforehand however mine has rarely ever sneezed until recently when i began the medication...today, day 3 really worried me because he sounded like he was going to vomit but it was just a sneeze attack of sorts...im going to call the vet later but wanted to know if this common? Perhaps an allergy?

My 12 year old cat has lymphoma and just endured a 3 day vet stay to clear up a urinary tract infection. He came home with Clamamox that I'm supposed to give him 2x daily - but he also is very sneezy. Since he is an indoor cat and I don't expose him to other animals, I never had him vaccinated for a lot of the various funks that cats can pick up from overnight stays in an animal hospital. With his compromised immune system, I'm not sure if this is something that can be prevented. I'm trying to give him lots of fresh water and Lysine treats... is this something that will just have to run its course?

Might be better if you start a new thread since this one is fairly old.
Cllavamox is a broad spectrum antibiotic usually used for infections. What was it prescribed for?
I am having troubles with my 12yo as well with sneezing and reverse sneezing. It's really hard to pin down the cause. Had antibiotics, skull xrays, a nasal flush, culture tests done on mucus and still nothing has helped.

If the sneezing is quite regular or if you see mucus you may have to talk to your vet again. Same goes if he is not eating or is acting lethargic or abnormal. If it lasts more than a week or so you should probably also talk to your vet again. Regular sneezing is not normal for a cat.

FHV is something that is fairly common and can be triggered by stress.  Staying away from home could have been enough to trigger an episode. You are already giving him lysine which will help if that's the case but i would keep a close eye on him, especially seen as he has a low immune system.  Just call your vet if it doesn't stop within a few days or if he starts acting weird at all.