Need advice: serious upper respirtory in older cat?

[Larksmom]

After reading most of the small animal vet rant, I decided to do the right thing by one of my older kitties. Muff is 16, and othan the upper respitory problems, she is in great shape. However, the u r stuff is fairly bad. I took her in about 3 weeks ago, and my vet thought it might be allergies, and gave her a steroid shot. No good. Kitty still sneezing her head off. I decided to go on ahead, and let him x-ray her chest, and see what he could find out. He also did blood work. Result of the x-ray was that her lungs were clear, heart good and strong, her 'innerds' were in great shape.

He offered a couple of possibilities, none sounded plesant. He suggested a powder to be put on her food, which I might be do able if her older piggy brother didn't get it. and also, some liguid drops. I am sorry I cannot be more technical, I didn't write all this stuff down, and I have no head for medicinal terms.

Anyway, since she is a ring tailed bee-eye-itch to handle, we decided it would be best if she were left there. After I took her in on the 5th, she didn't come NEAR me for three days. He is only charging me $9 a day for boarding, not hospitalization. But with the x ray, and blood work, which was better than could be expected btw, all the numbers were in the mid range [?] my bill will be approaching $300.
As I sit here, I seem to remember we did this once before, a few years back with Muff staying at the vet for a week, and it really didn't get fixed. He mentioned having similar cases, one going to a specialist, who out some sort of a probe up the cat's nose, and found a problem with the bone{?} Is that possible? Another had worked a blade of grass up into sinuses? I have to go get her tomorrow. Well, that is the plan.

I am nor sure what to do next. My funds are not limitless. And I also just this week got the new dog spayed. I realize this a little vague and rambling, but can any of you guys give me any advice for when I go in tomorrow? He is off today. There are two other vets in the practice, one of whom I like, but the other I do not. I only add this last bit because the senior dr has seen my guys for their entire lives, the others less so. And the one I like the least, is newest to the practice.

[Louise]

L-lysine can be used to strengthen the immune system. Since it is benign, it can be used in both of your cats' food, assuring that the cat who has the URIs gets her share. It is pretty inexpensive, and can be found in almost any grocery or drug store in the tablet form. That is a bit of a pain to grind up, but with two cats it shouldn't be too bad. There is also a powered form, manufactured by Carlson labs. I have to order mine, but I understand that some health food stores carry it.

It must be pretty tasteless, as I give it to all four of my cats (two need it, two don't), and they all eat their food with no problem.

Of course, not knowing what the problem is, it is hard to say if that will work. But, as the product is harmless, it might be worth a try.

[Lazy Palomino Hunter]

One of my cats is allergic to the dust clay litter produces. He coughs and sneezes up a storm. From age 8 weeks to 6 months, I probably spent in the neighborhood of $1000 having x-rays, bloodwork, trying a myriad of prescriptions, etc..

I finally, as a last ditch effort, switched over to a dust-free corn-based litter (Nature's Miracle). Voila! Coughing and sneezing disappeared almost instantly. I felt like an idiot.

So maybe try just reducing potential household allergens? I don't think my litter is terribly more expensive than the clay based stuff. It also may be worthwhile to eliminate air fresheners/perfumes/etc. and give the house a good vacuum.

[2DogsFarm]

I have an older cat (10? - she's a shelter cat I've had for 7 years) who has had seasonal allergy problems - sneezing, tearing eyes, clear discharge - starting about 3 years ago.

When amoxicillin didn't clear it up the first time, my small animal vet prescribed a homeopathic mix of interferon, echinacea & euphorbium.
A 1/2 dropperful on her tongue gives her some instant relief and total in 3 days.

Hmmm..I see your girl isn't likely to be a good candidate for the dropper-on-tongue method. Maybe on her food instead? That way it won;t hurt any others who eat the same food.

And RE: your choice of vets - you s/b able to request a specific doctor.
In my case the amoxicillin was prescribed by the newest/youngest member of the team. When it didn't work I asked for a senior vet to see me & cat - this is how I got the homepathic remedy.
Which I've had refilled, w/o bringing cat in, for the last 2 years.

[kmsf]

It would be unusual to see allergies suddenly appear in a 16 year old cat. I have seen two cases where cats got a blade of grass caught above their soft palate, but that was visible examining the throat and they were gagging rather than sneezing. Does she have a discharge from her nose? One or both sides? Any discharge from her eyes? Fever? Those would be more likely something bacterial/viral. Unfortunately with older animals cancer is more frequent, although cats can get polyps (which are benign) which can cause similar symptoms. Polyps that are causing symptoms usually require surgical removal. Hope that all goes well.

[Larksmom]

Louise, they are putting a powder on her food while she is there. It is something I can probably do here too, even if Lark gets into it won't do him any harm. It is very difficlut to keep him out of her food...------------------------------------------------------------------Lazy Pal, they used to both get seasonal allergies, which the good dr would allieviate with a steroid shot. I guess they went away when I got rid of the carpets. Good for cats:yes: Not so much for the dogs:no: But the two dogs shed Profusely! wow even the slick coated Aussie mix, sheds a lot!----------------------------------------------------------2Dogs, I think they just added the amoxicillen in the last day or so. I spoke to the vet tech today and Tuesday. Tues, she hadn't responded well to the powder, but tech said she seemed to do better with the drops on her food. I am also going to look into the kitty litter thing too, as I do use clay...--------------------------------------------------------Km, my vet said he had seen one with a blade of grass up there and I am not sure how to get it, I guess that will be surgery. This isn't just recent however, it has actually gone on awhile, I just haven't been able to afford it. After reading most of the sm animal vent, I decided to go back and do right by my cat. She isn't feverish, there IS discharge from nose, [snot] nothing from eyes. He did bloodwork, everything normal. So it is all in her head. I found out he is actually going to take another day off, the nerve! wanting two days off in a row!;)] So I am gonna give her one more day. My old dog has a goober on the ear, I swear it is always something.... Maybe a spider bite.

[mobilehrs]

Did you check for heartworms? Cats CAN get them and it would eventually creat an enlarged heart, difficult breathing, congestive heart failure.
Poor kitty-hope he's OK

[Larksmom]

the vet did x rays and lungs were clear, so was heart. Would that show up? Her sibling is fine.

[kmsf]

Hope that all is well with you. Yes, enlarged heart should show up on chest x-rays, so she should be clear for heart problems. If you can see a blade of grass you can usually grab it with something, so surgery is not necessary then. Nasal discharge without fever that has been going on for a while would still most likely be cancer, polyp, or foreign body (plant material) stuck in the nose.

[lolalola]

You can get l-lysine in a gel form that you can wipe on the cats paw for her to lick off.

[Chall]

Have you changed (or has the formula changed) in your floor, counter cleaning products? Just a thought. I wish I could get everyone to use white vinegar to clean but no, formula 409 is used. It makes me sneeze. Cats are closer to the ground so are effected with anything you use on carpets or floors. Do you have central a/c? If not try her for a few hours in an a/c room and see if it improves or stick her in the bathroom while you take a steamy shower and see if it improves.
P.S. Now that the heat has settled in, the air quality has really gotten bad in my neck of the woods. I'm much more stuffed up and snotty.

[atr]

If it's an upper respiratory infection, it needs antibiotics to clear it up.

I'm going through this with an elderly cat at the moment, too.

My really nice, really thorough, not outrageously expensive and not into unecessary tests or treatments, small animal vet gave my old man a shot of abx that lasts for two weeks, almost exactly two weeks ago. He's got his sense of smell back and is eating again. I think he said it is called "convenience" and it certainly has been.

Personally, I won't leave a cat at the vet's office overnight unless it might die in the night if I don't. I can do most things that might need done, and they do much better in a familiar environment not so full of random potential bugs they might pick up.

[Larksmom]

and much better I might add! I do have central ac, and it has been on, but we are in the middle of record setting low temps! 63 early this morning! No humidity! It is heaven! I have shut it off for a few das. I do have white vinegar, but didn't even think of that as I went after two big flies in the cat room today. ---------------------------------Sadly, as Muff has gotten better, Lark seems to be going downhill.:( He was diagnosed a couple years ago with a 'horses tail', and causing balance problems and his rear end to hop up and down rapidly. If you haven't ever seen it, it is not pretty. Vet told me then he would start to lose control of bowels and I saw some evidence of that today as I was getting ready for work.He told me that almost two years ago. I love Lark to pieces. He has been strange since Muff went in, and [I undewrstand some people prefer to treat their own pets, Muff is a ring tailed be i itch. There is no treating her without there being someone else to hold her down.] he has been lurking in the cat room and just not coming in to see me. I didn't realise till today he might be really getting worse. I got the new dog spayed and Muffs vet bill was $$$, just don[t want to lose him.:no:

[kmsf]

Glad to hear that Muff is better. Sorry that Lark is feeling bad now. Hope that you have easier times with your kitties soon!

[WaningMoon]

It would be unusual to see allergies suddenly appear in a 16 year old cat. I have seen two cases where cats got a blade of grass caught above their soft palate, but that was visible examining the throat and they were gagging rather than sneezing. Does she have a discharge from her nose? One or both sides? Any discharge from her eyes? Fever? Those would be more likely something bacterial/viral. Unfortunately with older animals cancer is more frequent, although cats can get polyps (which are benign) which can cause similar symptoms. Polyps that are causing symptoms usually require surgical removal. Hope that all goes well.

I may not be reading this correctly or the polyps part anyhow, but if I am, and you mean to say that all polyps are benign, well than I'd like to say that that just isn't so. Polyps may be benign or they may be malignant. This is why they are removed during routine procedures in animals and humans and are tested to see if they are or are not cancerous. Any area with a lot of mucous membranes are more apt to get polyps also, and nasal ones are quite common, well, at least not uncommon, in cats. Whether they are cancerous or not requires further testing.

IF I have read what you are trying to say, wrong, than please excuse my correction. I am not trying to be mean at all, just don't want ppl to get the idea that all polyps are benign as they aren't. :)

[Larksmom]

They are all four doing better-[Had the new dog spayed, old dog got an ear infection just after old girl cat went to vet for a week.]:( Upon Muff;s return, Lark seemed to be going south. He is better, a lot I think. He has bad days due to his age. I also feed the cats up on a counter, so I think when he jumps down, if he doesn't jump on the Specially Built Shelf For Kitties to get down to floor, he hops around a bit and it must hurt. I am always on the lookout for this as it will probably figure in his demise, hopefully years from now:lol:. Anyway, thanks for all your concerns, tonight, with the FABULOUS weather we are having, I left the dogs out till I get home, in the middle of the night. They don't bark, so they shouldn't annoy the neighbors. Cats are fat and happy in the house, Whew, past this one ready for the next!;)

[kmsf]

I may not be reading this correctly or the polyps part anyhow, but if I am, and you mean to say that all polyps are benign, well than I'd like to say that that just isn't so. Polyps may be benign or they may be malignant. This is why they are removed during routine procedures in animals and humans and are tested to see if they are or are not cancerous. Any area with a lot of mucous membranes are more apt to get polyps also, and nasal ones are quite common, well, at least not uncommon, in cats. Whether they are cancerous or not requires further testing.

IF I have read what you are trying to say, wrong, than please excuse my correction. I am not trying to be mean at all, just don't want ppl to get the idea that all polyps are benign as they aren't. :)

In cats nasopharyngeal polyps are benign. Neoplastic lesions in the nasal cavity of cats have a different appearance, and would not be referred to as polyps. I don't know about polyps in humans, but I think in the case of polyps found on colonoscopy they would be biopsied to see if they are cancerous. Sorry I did not specify "polyp" versus "growth". A growth or mass could be benign or malignant. Nasopharyngeal polyps are by definition non-neoplastic and of inflammatory origin, secondary to upper respiratory infection.