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Enlarged heart?

Brigitte Cowell

Brigitte Cowell

Moderator
Staff member
Glad that he found one of the testicles and hope that the second becomes easier to find by 7 months too!

I'm not a fan of giving steroids when they suspect a bacterial infection, steroids are good for inflammation but they also can make a bacterial infection worse by hampering the body's ability to fight the bacteria. I guess if the clavamox is the right drug this time though, it should work out ok. Just be sure to check back in with the vet if Mango's symptoms get worse OR he's not showing positive response within 2-3 days.
 
Rafiki

Rafiki

Site Supporter
Nicaboli said:
Here is the latest. New doc says Mango's heart sounds great. He said he suspects sinus infection because a cat's sinus is not like a human or a dog...he likened it to a car air filter...and some meds don't reach the infected area because of poor blood flow (due to infection). So, he said to stop the doxy and start Mango on prednisolone and clavamox while staying on the metronidazole.

Good news!......he examined Mango's boy parts (with MUCH protest from Mango) and could feel one testicle (the other vet couldn't feel anything at that time) and he seemed hopeful that by 7 months they both will be descended.

All this sounds positive and I hope Mango is on the mend from this point forward.
Click to expand...
This does indeed sound like good news.....especially when you were obviously going into all the dark places in your mind! Cyber hugs and continued well wishes for a speedy recovery.
 
Patti

Patti

Admin
Staff member
It sounds like the vet visit was very positive, but I agree with Brigitte - steroids depress the immune system and if clavamox is not the 'right' antibiotic he could get worse pretty fast, so keep a close eye on him over the next few days, and keep us posted!
 
Nicaboli

Nicaboli

Savannah Super Cat
Thank you all so much for your great information and support. Mango had a much better night breathing....which means I had a much better night sleeping :)

The vet said he would call me before the weekend to see how Mango is doing on the new meds and if he is getting better, getting worse, or staying the same. I will keep his recovery progress posted and hopefully the steroid will not hinder it.

Mango sends his kitty thanks too for you all :)
 
Nicaboli

Nicaboli

Savannah Super Cat
Hi there, all. Every time I get on this site, I am more and more glad for all of your thoughts, knowledge, and support. Thank you.

Here is the latest with Mango so far. He seems to be breathing easier each day, but still has a weepy right eye and some congestion; plus some icky stuff is still being sneezed out of his nose....yuck. But if you didn't know he was sick, you would never know it because he is running around and doing his Mango thang! :)
The panting (which I hear is normal for this breed?) is still there but it takes a longer time for him to start doing it while running around and playing. That leads me to believe his respiratory issues are beginning to clear.

The giardia must still be affecting his intestines because that part hasn't gotten any better. It was for about a day, but I'm thinking with the change in medications, it must have affected the bowel movements to be runny again...don't know for sure.

I hate that I have to give him all of these meds. The worse part is giving him the tablet. I bought a pill gun, but the end seems to stiff and big to hold the pill or go in his mouth so I didn't try it because it might not go so well. And he already knows when "meds time" is, and he gets this look on his face like he wants to run and hide from me...it makes me sad but I can't say that I blame him. Who wants to have syringes and pills forced in his mouth? I'm counting down the days when the meds are finished!
 
WitchyWoman

WitchyWoman

Admin
Staff member
Have you tried Greenies pill pockets? http://www.greenies.com/cats/pill-pockets.aspx Two of my cats like them and will take pills that way and 2 don't. For the two who don't, I still put the pill in the pill pocket, roll it into a ball and squish it inside a piece of food or a treat.

Happy to hear that sweet Mango's breathing is getting better. As far as the giardia -- it can be difficult to get rid off and require multiple treatments. While he's on meds, you should give some thought to adding a probiotic to his food to help the good gut bacteria grow.
 
Nicaboli

Nicaboli

Savannah Super Cat
Sadly, the pill pockets are not a hit with Mango. When he was at the vet at the start of his metronidazole, the tech attempted to give him his first dose in the pill pocket. It didn't work so well and he turned his little nose up at it...little pampered brat :) When the pocket didn't work, I tried grinding the pill and mixing it with baby food. At first Mango went to town on it, but then he got the taste of the pill and walked away. Then I did the grinding of the pill again and mixed it with water for a syringe. Again, bad attempt. I think the majority of it got on me than in his mouth.

I heard about the probiotic. Is that a prescription or over the counter? And how do I give that to him? Another pill (gulp)?
 
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