Hi, all! Haven't posted in some time, but wanted to get some opinions on Connie.
She's a nine-year old Siamese who coughs and vomits when she's not on prednisolone. This has been going on with her since I got her on Labor Day last year. My vet says she doesn't necessarily present like a cat with asthma (from her x-rays...and the random vomiting). She's had every blood test that was recommended here (a few times), and the only thing that ever shows up is slightly elevated globulin. The vet, at the time, when we were still actively trying to figure out what was wrong with her, did mention that some cancers can cause elevated globulin. Without further diagnostics, we're sort of stuck. The vet is of the opinion that, if she had cancer, we'd have seen something else by now. She (and two other cat-only vets who have reviewed her records and examined her), when pressed to go with her gut, thinks Connie has asthma and/or IBD.
Meanwhile, as long as Connie stays on 5mg of prednisolone a day, she remains symptom-free. We have tried to cut it back to every other day with mixed results. We are talking about reducing it by half, but sticking with the once-a-day approach. In any case, we are able to control her symptoms with the pred.
My dilemma: From what I understand, asthma and IBD are both usually treated with steroids. Connie remains happy as a clam on her prednisolone. Should I put the cat through more invasive diagnostics when the most likely result is going to be continuing steroid treatment?
Thanks for your help!
(Oh, and before anyone asks, Connie has finally been switched from dry food and is currently eating Nature's Variety, Wellness, and Evo canned foods. She hasn't made the leap to raw, but I'm very pleased with my dry addict's progress.)
She's a nine-year old Siamese who coughs and vomits when she's not on prednisolone. This has been going on with her since I got her on Labor Day last year. My vet says she doesn't necessarily present like a cat with asthma (from her x-rays...and the random vomiting). She's had every blood test that was recommended here (a few times), and the only thing that ever shows up is slightly elevated globulin. The vet, at the time, when we were still actively trying to figure out what was wrong with her, did mention that some cancers can cause elevated globulin. Without further diagnostics, we're sort of stuck. The vet is of the opinion that, if she had cancer, we'd have seen something else by now. She (and two other cat-only vets who have reviewed her records and examined her), when pressed to go with her gut, thinks Connie has asthma and/or IBD.
Meanwhile, as long as Connie stays on 5mg of prednisolone a day, she remains symptom-free. We have tried to cut it back to every other day with mixed results. We are talking about reducing it by half, but sticking with the once-a-day approach. In any case, we are able to control her symptoms with the pred.
My dilemma: From what I understand, asthma and IBD are both usually treated with steroids. Connie remains happy as a clam on her prednisolone. Should I put the cat through more invasive diagnostics when the most likely result is going to be continuing steroid treatment?
Thanks for your help!
(Oh, and before anyone asks, Connie has finally been switched from dry food and is currently eating Nature's Variety, Wellness, and Evo canned foods. She hasn't made the leap to raw, but I'm very pleased with my dry addict's progress.)