Narrowed Trachea

[John Popp]

Thanks Brigitte!

The tough part is having a 6 month old kitten that takes off when he sees you coming. Fortunately there is some level of trust left and no real issues apprehending him and getting the pill and water down. Dino just looks at me as if I've caused him some personal injury. It's going to take a while for him to heal his personal wounds and my heart still goes into my stomach when I think about extracting him from the crate prior to his endoscopy.

A very scared Dino after getting scoped.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

It IS hard, I went through this some years ago when my F2 boy was diagnosed at 18 months with heart valve issues and he needed medication three times a day. So three times a day we had to grab him to pill him with at least three medications. He acted like we were trying to kill him each and every time. It broke my heart but I was so determined to save him we persisted.

And it got better. I truly believe he knew we were trying to help him and eventually it became easier and then some days he'd really put effort into eluding us come pill time and I think it became sport to him.

All you can do is try and balance the medication with fun time... try to play with him and try to treat him so that he can tell it's not all bad stuff. And at least the doxy will be over in time... with Bobo his medications lasted over ten years!

 

[Patti]

I have used Doxyvet on my cats in the past, which is a liquid doxycycline and I've never had my cats mind the flavor; also with the liquid you don't have to worry about washing it down with water, so easier all around...

 

[Trishy]

With each cat I've had I tried to discover some insane delight for them and make it a very, very, rare treat. With one it was vanilla ice cream, another was plain yogurt, another was cream cheese. It would be a once or twice a year taste for them then if pill time ever came it was my secret weapon. Coat pill in stuff (except for the cream cheese then I coated in butter), pill down throat, hold chin up with a hand on the throat to feel them swallow then give the treat to make sure it all went down. I also always checked the treat with the vet to make sure it didn't react with the med. The after treat kind of gave them positive reinforcement so they didn't hold it against me as much.

Now of course I realize that I have not tried this with a savannah. With their insight and intelligence they might see right through my clever ploy and go hide under the bed.

Sending my thoughts and wishes that your kitties feel better soon.

 

[WitchyWoman]

I started giving Taji a freeze-dried chicken or duck heart after his Prozac. Now, if I'm a little late giving him a pill, he stands by the cupboard where they're kept and cries until I get the message. Then he runs over to the cupboard where the hearts are and waits to get his pill and his treat. He took the Prozac ok before, but he never asked for his pill until I started giving him a treat afterward. Darn smart cats.

 

[NikkiA]

Hang in there John.

Deb, I like your freeze dried chicken hearts idea.

 

[John Popp]

Dooley continues to sneeze after being treated for 3 weeks. I also watched some minor horfing episodes, and that's what always makes your heart sink to your stomach as they are really struggling to exhale.

Also I noticed that Dooley seems to have some off colored urine and I am going to try and get a sample off to the vet this morning. Not sure what that's about, but he doesn't seem to be in pain and is eating and drinking regularly. Just the same, I want to get it checked out so hopefully he will accommodate me.

Dino on the other hand is doing great. Through this whole episode he lost his winter coat and now is clean and tight with his fur for the summer months. He looks super sleek and elegant, the only thing keeping him from the cover GQ is his whiskers that have been half chewed off by his brother.

Any thoughts on the UTI stuff let me know. Just seems strange for a kitten on a raw diet who is otherwise healthy and active. Perhaps he has eaten some beets when I wasn't looking.

 

[DChap]

Poor guys . Hope they're both back to tip top shape quick. Could the meds cause discoloration in urine? Just a guess. Have they ruled out asthma/allergies for Dooley?

 

[John Popp]

Haven't ran the full course yet on the treatment, so I am just holding tight as the first priority is making sure we are free and clear of the Bordetella.

Wasn't able to get a urine specimen this morning so I'm going to be behind on that front. The Boys were too busy tearing around with wet paws as they seem to have a blast with the lack of traction. Basically, wet pads means they have a huge ice skating rink.

 

[DChap]

I think Naya splashes her water out purposely to create her own skating rink as well