severe head cold

[phil]

My 17 year old cat has a severe head cold. I took her to the vet, he ran tests, everything is ok. He gave me prednisone and an antibiotic. The cat doesn't seem to be getting better after one day. I gave her chlortrimeton and it didn't work. Should I go to another vet or should I give the meds and see what happens.

[Traci]

What are kitty's symptoms, and exactly what tests were done? Was a full blood profile done, including a CBC?

I don't know why your vet would prescribe prednisone....did he feel there was inflammation in the sinuses or?

[phil]

I guess I should let the meds run there course and see how things go. The doctor did blood work but I am not sure what he did. He xrayed and they look fine, he said. The cats nose is so plugged up that I don't know how much longer she will last. I am not sure if she can breath through her mouth. I don't know that much about cats.

[Traci]

Without more information from you, particularly, your vet's tests and his educated guess, it's nearly impossible to advise further.

If her nasal cavities are severely congested to the point she can't breathe normally through her nose, then she should be breathing through her mouth. If she seems in distress breathing through her mouth, gasps for breath, seems uncomfortable and restless/nervous, get her back to your vet or ER vet for a re-evaluation IMMEDIATELY. You need to ensure she is not also congested in her lungs (or heart).

Follow your vet's advice, but don't give anything he hasn't prescribed or directed you to do. Whenever you are in doubt, play it safe and call him back immediately for further instruction. Again, if she is clearly in breathing distress, don't wait, call an ER vet right away.

[phil]

I thought she was doing better last night but I think she is getting worse. I think she is dying. Her sinuses have opened up, she has like sniffles with mucus coming out of her nose. She doesn't want to eat and only sits in her bed next to the heat vent. I need to call the doctor now.

Phil

[Tina B and crew]

I think calling the vet is a good idea...I hope she's ok

[phil]

Looks like I cannot see the vet till 11am. I wonder if the cat has pneumonia. I guess its not up to me to figure out.

[Tambrey]

I had a tiny kitten near death with pneumonia...I took her to the ER vet at 11:30 at night fully expecting to have her put to sleep...her body temp was cold to the touch and she was lethargic...he said, yep, she has pneumonia, popped some liquid meds into her mouth (she was barely a pound or two at the time) told us to kepe her warm and sent her home with the meds...for two days I dreaded walking into the bathroom...but on the third day, I opened the door, and she came barreling out and never stopped after that!!

I made a nest for her with towels and 16 ounce soda bottles filled with HOT water...I tucked these bottles in on all four sides of her nest, to constantly keep her warm...just make sure that since they are hot, that they cannot roll out from under the towels and hurt her...then I draped another towel over the top of the nest...she was ina warm moist environment and of course also in the bathroom, which is naturally moist...and on the meds...

This little girl was a real challenge for me...she was from an orphaned litter whose mom died...I started with 6, and two survived and went on to a wonderful home...

Hang in there...keep her warm...comfort her...she knows you are doing all you can for her...make sure she takes her meds...

Let us know how things go...it is harder when they are older pets we have had for so long...my Tigger was 15...

[phil]

I looked up pneumonia on the internet and it seems like this is what she has. She has the chest pain, sneezing, loss of appetite, cough, chills. Maybe I am not too late.

Phil

[phil]

I will get back. Thanks for your understanding. I feel a lot better now.