coughing cat

[Tigitodwitz]

Ok so good news is there is no obvious heart condition. She saw a small lesion that could be a heart worm which is doubtful but I am going to get a heart worm test done. The thing is the veterinarian who did the sonogram, came highly recommended by my vet, but is not a licensed cardiologist. She didnt find anything alarming and is leaning towards the asthma, especially since Isabis responds very well to the short term steroid. Because she isn't technically a licensed cardiologist, she is sending the videos and photos she took back my vet and is going to ask him to send them off to his cardiologist friends for another look. The vet techs at my day vet also work at the emergency vet, and one of the vets at my day vet also is a vet over there, so they are all close. I really do like them and trust that they have Isabis in their best interests and were going to get to figure this thing out. I guess the whole point of me having the sonogram done by her was to save a significant amount of money, which I am a bit tight right now. It would've been 300 something to go to a cardiologist vs 60. So if he can send the videos and photos to a cardiologist and they're able to tell for sure Isabis and I are going to be very happy! I should know more on Monday. So if she doesn't have any heart issues then I would need to do URI PCR right? To make sure she doesn't have any other diseases and if she doesn't then its definently asthma?

 

[Patti]

Hopefully the cardiologist that reads the sonogram will have good news for you. If you haven't already run one then yes, I would strongly suggest getting a URD PCR. If that comes up negative it doesn't mean it's definitely asthma, but if she's responding to the steroid and other asthma medications then it's a good bet that's what you're dealing with.

 

[MattM]

I hope your kitty gets better.

 

[Napoleon]

Thanks for asking! Vet gave Napoleon an antibiotic in case he has an infection, but is pretty sure it's asthma. She said to wait a couple of weeks though and see, otherwise she will need to sedate him to get an xray.

 

[Tigitodwitz]

Any updates?
Isabis had her sonogram video/pics checked out by a cardiologist and they said there is no heart condition!! Big sigh of relief. So asthma is what my vet diagnosed her with and is doing well on the theophylline. He also prescribed prednisone to be given twice a day, but I don't like the idea of giving her steroids so often, so he said I could use it only if she needs it. She hasn't had any abnormal breathing or coughing since around when this thread started so were happy! I know Patti suggested getting the URD PCR done, and I'm still keeping that in mind but so far she's doing good.

 

[Patti]

If she's doing well on the asthma medications there's no reason to get a URD PCR - great news, btw!!!

 

[Tigitodwitz]

Ok thanks!

 

[Napoleon]

Napoleon's vet suspected asthma but gave him an antibiotic just in case. He was all better within a day!

 

[django]

Napoleon's vet suspected asthma but gave him an antibiotic just in case. He was all better within a day!

How frequently were his coughing bouts? My 8 month old F2 just recently started short 10 second coughing spells 2 or 3 times a day after a two weeks dose of Flagyl for runny stool due to Clostridium perfringens. I have an appt at the vet tomorrow but interested to get more info.

 

[Napoleon]

He started off just a couple of times a day... then escalated to many times a day which is when I took him to the vet.