Meows from Mudpie!
Mommy and I have been quiet about a bit of a health issue that I've been having, but we now know definitively that I have kitty asthma.
Since shortly after Mommy adopted me in August I've had a bit of a cough. She assumed it was a hairball, but no hairballs ever showed up. Now for the past few weeks I've had a coughing spell each day and she knew it was time to have it checked out.
My coughs haven't had a pattern; sometimes they come on when I'm playing, sometimes when I'm sleeping. They haven't held me down any...I still run crazy pants around the house!
How embarrassing is this picture??? I've gained over 2 pounds since September!!! Although to be fair, when Mommy adopted me in August I was 7.5 pounds and super scrawny!
Our vet said the most likely culprit right now is the furnace stirring everything up, and it will be interesting to see how I respond to spring pollen. We do know that at my check-up in September there was no sign of a problem. I came to Vermont from western New York, and who knows where I came from before that (or if I ever even lived in a house!), so everything I'm exposed to is new to me. Mommy is planning to start a journal to try and figure out my triggers.
Mommy wasn't really surprised by my diagnosis. She's been watching YouTube videos of asthmatic kitties and was fairly certain that's what was going on. Still, she would never say it out loud but her greatest fear was a heart problem, especially after what she's been through with Tara and Truffles. The vet said that I'm purr-fect otherwise!
We're thankful to have a clear diagnosis without having to go through tons of tests, and as long as we're together everything will be just fine!
Have you ever had a pet diagnosed with asthma?
43 comments:
Thanks for sharing your story about feline asthma. I didn't realize this was an issue. I hope she feels better really really soon. Happy New Year!
Poor baby (& Mommy!) I've had cats who cough before - one does regularly that we have, and sneezes (especially when he wakes up from sleeping on my shoulder). One kitty that is waiting over the bridge was never specifically diagnosed, but I had to give him low dose Prednisone when he had more trouble than usual. Looking forward to seeing what holistic measures you find! Handsome is on prescription WD because of long-term constipation problems - that and pumpkin, and a couple other things from the vet, so I can't change his diet. Good luck with Mudpie; may your beautiful baby never need meds and do much better as she gets more used to whatever the furnace stirs up!
Hope it doesn't cause ya too much trubble!
I wasn't aware of kitty asthma but I'm glad to know about it. I do hope Mudpie's health is always in good condition.
We hadn't ever heard about cats getting asthma - we hope it won't be too much of a problem for Mudpie.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
Do you dare lose any weight, Mudpie! There's nothing wrong with being a bit fluffy!!! And 10 pounds is nothing (I weigh 14 lbs!) We're glad that the asthma is mild - my auntie suffers from it in a big way!! You're mommy is doing the right thing by trying to figure out triggers. when I was younger I was allergic to litter dust and would have terrible coughing episodes after being around it. I'm not sure its the same thing but I slowly grew out of it. Who knows? Maybe you will grow out of asthma? Have a fun New Year's Eve!!! Love you, Toby
I had no idea cats could get asthma. I hope you are comfortable now that you know what's going on.
Happy New Year wishes for lots of treats and happiness to you!
WOOF!
www.piranhabanana.com
Sounds like you needed that two pounds! You look like you're at a healthy weight for your size to me. Sorry about the asthma but at least it doesn't require medication! I don't know anything about kitty asthma, but I wonder if it can be out grown like some forms of human asthma?
One of my cats has asthma and his is moderate. He gets prednisone twice a day and he's on a diet to lose weight. I also changed his cat litter to one that's less dusty. I'm glad Mudpie's is mild and I hope that continues. :)
Hope the asthma doesn´t cause you too much trouble (((purrs)))
XOXO
Frankie also as asthma he gets steroids when he's really bad and if he wakes up with an episode he gets a steam pot and goes in his homemade sauna. He loves that will put his head over the pot and breathe the steam. Would love to here about any other holistic health aides thanks for sharing hope mudpie gets better soon
Oh I am so glad that you wrote about this and that Mudpie is sorta all right. We have a cat, Bubba, who Mom suspects as asthma. We are going to go watch the videos. Mom does have Bubba on a low dose of Pred and it helps him a lot. We haven't been to the vet yet with him since we don't have the funds but hopefully right after the New Year we will go. Glad Mudpie is going to be all right and we think she looks terrific gaining a little weight. She looks like a different cat.
I'm sorry about the diagnosis, but glad it was caught early. I hope you can manage it without having to resort to steroids. You're probably already aware that there may be a connection between diet and asthma. My holistic vet has found that asthma resolves for several of her clients when they removed all dry food and grain-based food from their cat's diet.
That is a bummer, but it's good you know what you have and can hopefully treat and live with it.
we is glad that you know what the problem is now!
I haven't had any pets with asthma, but I have asthma and yes, the furnace and forced air makes things pretty difficult sometimes. If you have forced air, having the ducts vacuumed out and hepa filters installed might help.
The kitty I wrote about on Monday, Angelina, has stress-induced kitty asthma. For many years, she had to use a nebulizer once a day. Fortunately, her asthma went away as she become more relaxed and comfortable in her home.
We're glad you got a diagnosis, Mudpie, and that your asthma isn't very serious. We purr that it continues this way for a very long time.
So glad your asthma won't keep you from playing and running crazy pants around the house! :)
I have never had a cat with asthma. I know your Mom will take great care of you and do lots of research to make sure you stay healthy.
I am glad that Mudpie's asthma is mild right now. If it gets worse down the road, the first treatment for it is usually Prednisolone because it is so cheap and usually very effective. I hope Mudpie's asthma stays mild for a long, long time.
I am sorry about this but so glad it's mild (hope it stays that way) and that it's not a heart problem! It's very smart to keep a journal. I think there's a Yahoo Group for feline asthma that may be very helpful as far as from hearing from others and their experiences and knowledge. I sure hope it doesn't get worse but it's good to know that there's good medicines to control it if it does. Hooray, that Mudpie plays like a crazy girl! :)
We were pretty sure that’s what MP had but didn’t want it to be true. I have asthma too although I haven’t had the x-rays to super confirm it. My coughing fits are mostly in the Spring so TW is still hoping it’s hairballs cos I’m usually better after getting rid of one. She uses her Inhaler on me with the AeroKat which will be your friend in the Spring. Brian helped me immensely when I was diagnosed.
I'm so sorry you have asthma, Mudpie! My senior rescue, Maggie, was diagnosed with asthma two years ago. The doctor put her on a low dose of Prednisolone (2.5mg), which seemed to help, but she continued to have a lingering cough. My friend's 18 month old cat, Phinny, was also diagnosed with asthma at about the same time. He still ran around like crazy playing, but always had a little cough. Predisolone also helped Phinny, but he couldn't shake the chronic cough. The doctor suspected a lung infection and put him on Batryl (a quinolone family drug) for 10 days. He stopped coughing completely, and has been fine ever since! After hearing about Phinny's experience, I spoke to my vet about trying Maggie on an antibiotic. My vet agreed and prescribed Zenoquin, the newer generation of quinolone antibiotics. It worked like a charm. In both cases I think the asthma caused a kind of secondary lung infection that needed antibiotic treatment. Both Maggie and Phinny have been good for almost two years. Maggie does, occasionally, show mild asthma symptoms, but these seem to pass with the changing weather.
Zenoquin comes in a liquid. For cats or dogs that hate taking pills or liquid meds, I have also found a compounding pharmacy near me (Cross River Pharmacy in Cross River, New York--they will ship anywhere!!) that makes almost any pet med in chewable treat form. The treats look like mini hamburgers (refrigeration is required.) I request extra beefy or extra fishy flavors to disguise that taste of the medicine. Kitties are so discerning!
Hope you feel better soon!
Oh wow. I have never heard of kitty asthma. How in the world would you get a kitty to do an inhaler? Nestle would NEVER cooperate with that. I hope your case stays mild with nothing further needed.
oh dear - what the Mom was afraid of. Her loved a big orange tabby long times ago wif asthma. Ize gotz bronchitis/asthma too - the mom thinks it am the furnace causing trubble too like yours. Mom and Uncle Mike am going to clean it and hope it helps...
Purrz dats u stays well. Looks like Nancy has good advice.
- from Angel who needs a home asap.
There is a chamber that with a mouthpiece that you put over their nose and mouth...you put the inhaler on the other end. I always pushed the inhaler first before putting the chamber over Sandy Red Tigger's mouth, because the sound and swoosh of the air scared him. If the kitty gets a treat after his treatment, really helps.
I'm sorry to hear you have this, but it was good your mom is sharp enough to spot the problem
Mudpie, your mom is very clever to work that out! You will be taken good care of sweetie xxx
Mudpie, I hope the human can find some things to help so you can keep playing chase the house.
Your human was very smart to find this out and take you as quick as possible to the vet. We're glad your asthma is not too serious ! Purrs
Asthma! Wow. Hope that all clears up so you feel a bit better
Snorts,
Lily & Edward
It sounds like you're in very good hands, Mudpie!
I myself have never had a kitty with asthma, but I used to work at a cat clinic where some of the feline patients were asthmatic. Some of the kitties' symptoms could be managed well simply by keeping their homes as dust-free and pollen-free as possible (yeah, sounds real easy, huh?). One or two clients reported an improvement when they moved from clay litter to a dust-free crystal litter, or to a more or less dust-free natural litter, such as corn litter. Some kitties also did really well when an air purifier and/or humidifier was added to the house. In the more severe cases, when the kitty was coughing frequently, they were usually put on steroids. Most kitties could be weaned down to a tiny dose of steroids and still manage fine, and some were even able to come off of the steroids (at least for periods of time, such as until seasonal pollen triggered the asthma).
Most of the clients with asthmatic kitties at the clinic where I worked ended up not going the route of the inhaler, but in most cases that was because their cats happened to be ones that were not the most cooperative for such treatments. But, having asthma myself, I know what wonders an inhaler can work, so if any of my kitties ever needed an inhaler I wouldn't be opposed to giving it a try.
I'm glad that your doctor found you in tip-top shape otherwise, Mudpie! Also, I love the picture of you on the scales, Mudpie - that face is so adorable! Purrs to you!
mudpie.....we iz sorree ya haz de nastee az maw.....& we troo lee hope it can be cured with like medisins, foodz, may bee changin stuff round yur houz....that sorta thing....N just coz.....we send blessings frum R pal frank two ewe.... { N we think yur gorgeouz ....just az ewe R.....two poundagez.... ore knot !! ♥♥♥ }
Crossing paws that it stays at a low level for years and years. I know some cats can have asthma that shows up at one time of year and then disappears altogether for the rest of the year. I'm hoping that's what your cat is facing.
Jean from Welcome to the Menagerie
Well furstly sweet Mudpie we fawt dat foto was just purrecious. Second, weez soo glad it's nuffin' serious. Mommy sez a humidifier helps sum. Seems sis Lexi and hers bwofur Lucky boff had/have asthma. Weez sendin' purrayers.
Luv ya'
Dezi and Lexi
I'm sorry to hear about your asthma, Mudpie. I have never had a kitty that dealt with that. It's good that it isn't a more serious problem than that though. From what I understand, asthma in cats is manageable. We'll be sending some prayers and purrs your way for sure!
-Purrs from your friends at www.PlayfulKitty.net
Oh Mudpie, we're so sorry to hear about your asthma. We hope it stays love level forever! Hugs and kisses.
Oh Mudpie, we're so sorry to hear about your asthma. We hope it stays love level forever! Hugs and kisses.
Oh dear...we are really sorry to hear about your asthma. Our man human has that and it is not fun at all!
We are sending great big Noodle hugs to you right this very minute...
Noodle and crew
Aw, I'm sorry to hear you have kitty asthma but I'm glad you have figured out what it is. Sending healthy kitty vibes your way!
Mudpie, we are sorry you have asthma but at least you know what it is. Hope it stays mild!
We are so sorry you have asthma Mudpie....wishing it would be temporary.....is it possible that it could be? xoxo catchatwithcarenandcody
No, but our mom had it as a child and she says it SUCKS :-0
We're so sorry. We hope it remains mild!!
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