stubborn upper respiratory?
Editor:How To Pet Add to favorites list Send to friend. Reads.:
How To Keep Dogs and Cats From Fighting
Repeat the process over a few days and gradually let the pets get closer to each other. Praise the dog with a treat for calm behavior. When you feel the time is right for the dog to be unrestrained, leave the leash on just in case you need to pull him back.
..:::How To Pet
Q:Hi,
I'm new to the forum. Sophie is my nearly 2-year old shelter cat that I adopted a year ago in Chicago. She's a rotund girl but always playful, in the best of health. Since moving to Western Massachusetts last September, she's developed what appears to be an upper respiratory. Two vets later, my kind doctor put her on clavomox which seems to help for the time being, then it's back to her sneezing and plugged up nose. She eats, plays (tho a bit slowed down when she gets too sneezy). He's trying her on a course of antihisamines this week which makes her a bit loopy. He made mention of possibly looking for polyps. She's been on three or four rounds of antibiotics since September 2006. My new apartment is very clean / dust free / radiant heat. Yesterday, I switched her food from Science Light to Nature's Balance Allergy Formula which she seems to love (a long shot, but worth a try?). I'm at my wits end. It's just not getting any better. Every once in a while, she does this strange kind of coughing / gagging...nothing I've ever witnessed before in a cat...not sure if it's related. Thought about homeopathy? I don't know....Any suggestions / insights much appreciated!
I'm new to the forum. Sophie is my nearly 2-year old shelter cat that I adopted a year ago in Chicago. She's a rotund girl but always playful, in the best of health. Since moving to Western Massachusetts last September, she's developed what appears to be an upper respiratory. Two vets later, my kind doctor put her on clavomox which seems to help for the time being, then it's back to her sneezing and plugged up nose. She eats, plays (tho a bit slowed down when she gets too sneezy). He's trying her on a course of antihisamines this week which makes her a bit loopy. He made mention of possibly looking for polyps. She's been on three or four rounds of antibiotics since September 2006. My new apartment is very clean / dust free / radiant heat. Yesterday, I switched her food from Science Light to Nature's Balance Allergy Formula which she seems to love (a long shot, but worth a try?). I'm at my wits end. It's just not getting any better. Every once in a while, she does this strange kind of coughing / gagging...nothing I've ever witnessed before in a cat...not sure if it's related. Thought about homeopathy? I don't know....Any suggestions / insights much appreciated!
A:Welcome to the forum. I sorry but I don't have much advice for you. Sounds like it could possible be an environmental allergy. Is your new place quite dry? If so maybe you could try a humidifier. Did the antihistamine help (other than making her loopy). If it helped then maybe you just need to work on an alternative med or lesser dose.
Good luck .
Good luck .
A:
Not a long shot at all, diet is really important especially when it comes to chronic health problems. I'd check out the food forum as well, there are articles and suggestions about how to read the ingredients lists to make sure you are getting something other than filler. Its good you are switching, Science diet is a poor quality food from what I've heard. Try to switch her over slowly though, it is difficult on the digestive system to make a complete change overnight. Also since she's been on quite a bit of antibiotics I would look into a probiotic supplement: to replace the good bacteria. Flora is one good quality brand that I know of but there are others. I think homeopathy is worth looking into but it usually opens up a BIG can of worms on this forum because it is not widely accepted by establishment:
And a little more on homeopathics:
(lots of conflicting info on this)
Well I think i'm link happy tonight, hope that isn't too much.
And a little more on homeopathics:
(lots of conflicting info on this)
Well I think i'm link happy tonight, hope that isn't too much.
A:Thank you, Teri and Maya,
After a few days on this antihistamine, it appears to have quieted things down a bit, though Sophie seems a bit 'out of it'. Have you ever had this adverse reaction to the meds? Will her body adapt to where she gets used to them?
Thanks again!
After a few days on this antihistamine, it appears to have quieted things down a bit, though Sophie seems a bit 'out of it'. Have you ever had this adverse reaction to the meds? Will her body adapt to where she gets used to them?
Thanks again!