Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Tortieness Update

I wanted to update everyone about what we found out from the new v-e-t but I'll let Mommy explain since she let me sleep in (again)...
Mommy here:  The vet said that Isabella does have a lower respiratory infection like bronchitis or asthma.  Her bloodwork came back good and no signs of diabetes but the vet wants her off prednisolone because it's causing her to gain weight and she said in time Isabella WILL have diabetes as a result of the meds.  She recommended an inhaler (AeroKat) so we ordered one and hope Isabella will let us give it to her.  She is extremely tolerate except she doesn't care for having her face touched, especially around her mouth.   The vet seems to think that when Bella figures out it's helping her breathe she won't mind it.  Time will tell but we wish we had done more to get her off the meds before now but we weren't told any different at the old vet.  An inhaler was mentioned but kind of as a last resort thing whereas it should've been the other way around - the meds are last resort!  

Isabella thanks everybody for the purrs and well wishes!  She's making sure she's taking it easy and getting plenty of rest!

Do you have any tips on using inhalers on cats or any experience with asthma?

28 comments:

Summer at sparklecat.com said...

Paws crossed the inhaler works for Isabella! It is not cheap getting treated this way - my human knows this.

Fuzzy Tales said...

Good luck, I'd be interested to know how it goes, because of course Nicki still is on Pred. The inhaler was mentioned in passing to me, too, not really suggested or encouraged. I did some reading up, watched a couple of videos of training your cat to accept it. I'm not confident I could use it with Nicki, and the cost is daunting for me, with a single very modest income. So I worry for Nicki long-term. BTW, from my reading, it's *not* a guarantee that a cat will get diabetes from long-term Pred use, though the odds definitely increase. If Isabella will adjust to the inhaler, it'll be much better, though, IMO.

Ann said...

Good luck with the inhaler. I hope that it works. I'm trying to imagine using an inhaler on a cat and it doesn't seem like it would be an easy thing

Duni said...

Thank goodness you went for a second opinion! I've never heard of an inhaler for cats before...good luck with that! I know that my kitties won't ever let me go near their faces with anything, except food.

Grace said...

Sorry to hear that it all wasn't some bad mistake - but getting off the prednisone is a good thing.

Kea said...

I had read this a while ago, on training the cat:

https://suite.io/leigh-peterson/34tp2ne

Kea said...

Good video here, I just watched it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH4k_dOdNbY

A bit more realistic, IMO. Can't imagine getting a cat accustomed to this in 4 days, unless it's a really laid back cat.

Good luck.

BeadedTail said...

Thank you Kea! Bella is extremely laid back but she doesn't like her mouth area messed with so it'll be trying. The vet said she will get diabetes because of her increased weight gain and lack of movement (she'd rather sleep). If she was more active, I think the prognosis would be better. She was 13.8 lbs which is over 1 lb higher than before which is alarming since she doesn't eat much.

Fuzzy Tales said...

Derry's going to be the one who ends up with Diabetes, he's so fat. They've been on food restriction since August, and they split 3 - 4 small tins of food a day (plus get 1 TBSP kibble each AM and PM) and I swear, Derry is fatter than ever. (They're getting about half the recommended daily feeding dose listed on the cans.)

Anyway, I hope it goes well with Isabella. I guess patience -- and lots of treats -- is the key. I like the idea in the article of giving the cat the treats IN the mask first, maybe for a couple of days, before even attempting to put it on the cat's face the first time.

Nicki has to go back in November for his anal glands and routine blood work, and I think I might ask again about the inhaler. I'm not sure I can handle the cost, truth be told, but I'm aware of the short and long-term possible side-effects of the Pred. Of course his vet isn't concerned -- he doesn't care about Nicki, he's just another cat.

On the flip side, and thinking of my efforts with Annie, no matter what we do, our pets will leave us far, far too soon.

But let's hope it's not for a long time yet, for either of us.

Take care,

Kim

Sandee said...

I agree with the new vets prognosis. That medication is okay short term, but not long term. I'm glad you figured that out. You hang in there Isabella. Mommy and Daddy know what they are doing.

Have a purrfect day. My best to your parents and Angel too. ♥♥♥

Golden Woofs! SUGAR said...

Oh No :-( Sending you Lots of Golden Healing Thoughts. Golden LOVE n Woofs

BumbleVee said...

High fives to the new vet!!

Kathleen said...

Hugs, pats, and prayers that all goes well with her treatment!!!

madelineas said...

Hope the inhaler helps her, can't offer any advice, never thought this was possible for furbies. Hope it goes well for you both

pilch92 said...

Sorry no tips as I have never dealt with breathing issues in my cats. I will keep praying for her though. http://15andmeowing.com

The Island Cats said...

We hope Isabella will let you use the inhaler on her. It would be better than being on the pred. Purrs to all of you.

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Isabella, we don't know anything about inhalers, but we are very happy your Mom took you to a new vet. We hope the change in meds will do the trick. All paws crossed.

Wow, we are overjoyed for our Royals!!!

Woos - Phantom, Ciara, and Lightning

Reeni said...

I'm glad everything turned out ok aside from the asthma. Does she have to be awake? Maybe you can sneak it to her while she's sleeping? Sounds like a hard thing to accomplish - kitties are so squirmy. Sending her extra hugs and kitty kisses! Love, Moon xoxo

The Florida Furkids said...

We don't have any info but are sending loads of purrs and prayers to you.

The Florida Furkids

brokenteepee said...

My old cat Bart had asthma - he would have his fits and for the most part was OK. He spent one night in an oxygen tent.

Pumpkin also has asthma but he has his fits and is fine. The vet here says there is really nothing hurting him and it's the same as Bart so I just watch him. Other than the fits he is fine,

Natashalh said...

Oh, no! Poor kitty. I've never had to given an inhaler to any pet, but my grandparents had a diabetic cat for a long time and they had to give him insulin shots and stuff. Hopefully Bella's medication change can help her avoid diabetes!

Memories for Life said...

Good to hear the new v-e-t had some answers and other options. I hope the inhaler works well and Bella lets you give it to her!

JB's Big and Small Worlds said...

OMC, did not know about this. We hope you will be ok, Isabella! I don't like my face touched either. Please let your Mommy help you with the inhaler. Purrs from all of us!

Kjelle Bus aka Charlie Rascal said...

Sure hope this thing will work !!
Don´t know any cat that use a inhaler and no woffie either for that matter :(

XOXO

Lin said...

Be careful weaning her off the prednisone. I'm sure your vet knows that though. My Grace tanked after coming off a steroid shot. Watch for reactions coming off that stuff.

I'm not a good nurse--I am all business and not very coddling. I'd be like "Hey, we are doing a treatment now" and then we'd do it. Like it or not. But I'm sure that is not the best way to approach it. You will figure it out, I'm sure of it! You are a good cat mom!

Melissa, Mudpie and Angel Truffles (Mochas, Mysteries and Meows) said...

Purrs and prayers that you're back to 100% in no time, Isabella!

Mariodacat said...

Now I see what her problem is. I think you made the right move. I'll be anxious to hear how that works and what she thinks of it.

Kitties Blue said...

We had no idea about inhalers for cats. We hope you can help Isabella get her weight down. Time for a harness and leash purrhaps? Sending purrs and prayers. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo