Monroe update

[Catty1]

Oh, Monroe! I do hope the more frequent fluid pills start working soon!

I am sending prayers and hugs to you, Heidi, and Monroe. I wish I could do more.

PT Prayers are powerful - I am sending a whack of them!

[Randi]

I so hope the fluid pills will help Monroe. I'm sending lots of positive thoughts and gentle kisses to you dear boy - he is lucky to have you to take such good care of him.

[cats4ever]

Thank you, Randi and Candace!
Here's a new twist to the Monroe saga: Today I showed the vet a video of Monroe's cough, since she's never seen him doing it, and she said that this is definitely not a heart cough.
Most likely it's bronchitis or asthma, and it's only surfacing now that his steroids are out of his system. Monroe might have had those conditions for a while, but nobody knew because he has been on prednisone all of his life.
This means...more meds. If the cough is still present on Friday, he's supposed to start on a bronchodilator.

I don't know how I would do without everybody at PT, and if Monroe wasn't such a good boy.

[phesina]

What good news, it's not a heart cough!

Now, it's more meds, and perhaps a bronchodilator. We are with you, dearest Monroe, and Meowmie, every step of the way, with all our prayers and loving good wishes and hopes and energies and all...

[Karen]

As a life-long asthmatic, I can assure you it can be manageable! Prayres on the way still for Monroe!

[cats4ever]

Thank you, Pat and Karen.
No coughing yesterday and today so far. Keeping my fingers crossed it stays this way.

[cats4ever]

Unfortunately, after one day without coughing, it returned with a vengeance. So today, I dropped off Monroe's prescription for Theophylline (the bronchodilator). It has to be ordered and will be ready on Monday.
He's also ripping his hair out. I found several clumps in the kitchen, when I got home. I hope he's keeping his good attitude, regardless.
Otherwise, he's doing ok and he's very hungry.

[phesina]

Oh, Monroe, I wish I could reach through the screen and right over to your home so I could pet you and love on you... meanwhile we hope and pray for the best.

[cassiesmom]

Oh, Monroe, I wish I could reach through the screen and right over to your home so I could pet you and love on you... meanwhile we hope and pray for the best.

That goes for me too! xoxo

[cats4ever]

Thank you, Elyse and Pat!

[cats4ever]

Monroe's vet did some research on alternatives for prednisolone. She found that Apoquel (a dog allergy pill) has been used off-label in cats, with some success.
Since Monroe's allergies are getting worse, I started him on it this evening.
Wish me and him luck that it will relieve his itch and discomfort.


"What do you mean, DOG PILLS...?"

[phesina]

We are sending along loads of prayers and good wishes and love and warm healing energies that this new medication will bring Monroe some relief...

[Catty1]

I really hope this works for Monroe!

[cats4ever]

So far, the Apoquel is not helping. Monroe is sooo itchy and he is tearing himself up. His vet did more research, and she found that we can double the dose. It still could take many weeks for it to start working. By then, Monroe won't have any healthy skin left. She did even consider a low dose of prednisolone, but she has not given me a dosage yet.
It does scare me since the pred could affect his heart negatively.
It just makes me so incredibly sad that I was able to keep him pretty comfortable for 9 years, and now I can't help him.
He's still keeping his sweet disposition and he's eating well (including his meds).
Please keep him in your thoughts.

[mbsmum]

Purryers and healing thoughts on the way to Monroe and you.