Ash has got me a bit worried....

[carole]

Something is not right with Ash, last night he began trying to bring something up, you know when they make that harsh coughing sound, nothing much happened and he has been swallowing stuff back down, when he does bring anything up, it is clear phlegm (sp) I have seen him like this once before , and he just came right again, but he does not look too happy, I am really puzzled, he does not appear to have a cold, but I wondered could he have an URI, or is he trying to get a furball up, somehow I don't think that is the problem but I have given him Cat lax just to make sure.

I just wondered if anyone had any ideas? I will give him a day or two to see if he improves, and should he get worse before that , its off to the whitecoats, for sure, but at the moment he is not too bad.

I would appreciate any advice or suggestions thanks.

[AmberLee]

Cassy behaved similarly years ago ... I brought him in. X-rays didn't show anything, but it turned out he'd swallowed some grass that was too long and causing a gag response. Very frightening at the time, but he's fine since. (Not sure if this could be what's wrong with Ash though...)

Please keep us informed on Ash.

[slick]

Whenever Max does this I slop a bit of vaseline down his throat and sure enough, within 12 hrs, a big 'ol hairball appears on my living room rug. :eek:

I'm not saying that this is the problem but I hope it's something as simple as that. Please keep us updated.

[carole]

Thank you both for the ideas, I really still feel puzzled, he does not seem a very happy chappy, although he is still hungry and eating well, I thought of maybe a chicken bone being stuck there, I would not give him any with bones, but he is outdoor and could have snuck some somewhere, I think i will just book him in on Weds evening at the vets, unless he shows a marked improvement tomorrow, but I don't think he is going to get better overnight, I am so worried about my old guy, he has been trying again tonight to get whatever it is up, he brings up only a little bit of phlegm, and then shakes his head, to get rid of it, poor old guy, I sure hope it is nothing serious,

[Randi]

Oh poor Ash. :( I hope he can get it up, whatever it is! Perhaps ring the vet and ask if there's anything you can give him to make it easier for him.

Hope he'll be feeling fine soon and that it's nothing serious!

Get better Ash! :)

[Killearn Kitties]

Like you, I have only seen this kind of thing with a hairball. I hope it is something simple. Skritchies to Ash.

[jenluckenbach]

Something is obviously bugging him. And it could be ANYthing. A vet visit will put your mind at ease. Best of luck with him.

[carole]

Well Ash is no worse this morning, but I don't see any improvement either, I am making an appointment for him on Wednesday evening, Yes I think he needs to be seen, he may require antibiotics or something, fingers crossed its nothing major, its been such an expensive month for us, with our car and things, just did not need any more, but Kittys cannot help getting ill, and he is more important, if the overdraft goes up a bit more so be it, besides my mother gave us some money for our wedding anniversary, we have not used it yet, so I think it will go towards the vet bill.

Thanks for all your well wishes, I am sure Ash knows you are thinking of him, he is in his favourite spot right now as close to the oil heater as possible, yesterday was a horrible wet day, and that boy did not want to stay inside, unusual for him, as when he is sick he just stays by the heater, but I just made him stay in as much as possible, there were a few sunny spells and he enjoyed basking in it on the verandah , his other favourite hot spot.

Will let you all know how it all went, keep your fingers crossed for my old boy, thanks everyone.:)

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm sorry to hear that Ash is feeling poorly.:( I sure hope that it's nothing serious. Good luck at the vets. Please keep us updated.

[Kirsten]

Poor Ash!! :(

Another idea: Sometimes, pieces of cat gras get stuck in the throat, and this can cause the problems you've discribed. Or something else he has swallowed.

Maybe a vet is able to look into his throat and find out what it is.

Kirsten

[carole]

Yes Kirsten that thought had crossed my mind, he is getting no worse, but no improvement, his appetite is fine, so that is good, infact he is quite hungry, he has not been able to sleep as well as usual , as he will wake up and start coughing, however yesterday he did not cough more than a couple of times, well we are off to the whitecoats at 6.15 pm tonight, so wish Ash luck everyone, that it is something easy fixed and he will be back to normal soon.

Silly thing is he is determined to try and stay outside,I am continually getting him back inside, as the weather is cold and wet, and he is NOT staying out in that no matter how hard he trys, normally when he is not well, he just hoggs the heater more than ever, silly ole boy, he got very grumpy yesterday, he was trying to get outside, I daren't pick him up, so gently pushed my foot to turn him back, he went and attacked my foot, nothing unusual for my old boy.

[DJFyrewolf36]

Feel better Ash boy! I hope all goes well at the white coats!

[ChrisH]

Poor Ash. :( Fingers crossed it turns out to be nothing serious.

[carole]

oK we have been to the whitecoats, and let me tell you I am so proud of my boy, he is so well behaved, a real sweetie pie, so co-operative, putty in the vets hand, he gave me some smoochies and even did a bit of a floppie on the table, he was not so keen on the thermometer up his bottom though, but even when the vet gave him the injection which as she put it would probably make him swear as it stings going in, not a peep out of him, MY ANGEL PIE.

Sorry just had to tell you how good he was.
Amanda the vet said he had a slight temp, and his glands were up and possibly had tonsilitis or it could be viral, so he had two injection, one antibiotic and one anti-inflammatory, and has the inflamms for 4 days and the antibots for a week, I have to ring her on Friday with a progress report.
He was happy to be back home, and so loving, almost like saying gee thanks mum for taking me and getting me checked out.
Unfortunately there is no improvement, I have seen him on this medicene before and pick up immediately, he is still having that cough and he is no worse but no better, its getting worrying.

He may have to have some procedure done to check out his throat, I guess that will entail a general, and lots of money :( poor Ash, Please keep sending positive vibes for my old boy to pick up soon, thanks.

[AmberLee]

~~~ Ash health vibes ~~~ coming at ya.

Perk up, sweet boy. You were SUCH a good boy at the white coats we are all so proud of you, honey.

[carole]

Thank you Amberlee, I am sure he hears ya.:) ;) :D

[krazyaboutkatz]

Poor Ash:( Please stop worrying your mommie and get better real soon. I sure hope the meds will start working soon. I find that it usaully takes about 3 days before my boys start feeling good again.:)

[jazzcat]

Poor Ash, I'm glad he was such a good boy and made him meowmie proud.

I hope the meds kick in soon. Maybe it will just take a day or two to get him going. I'm sending good vibes, positive thoughts and prayers his way.

[Killearn Kitties]

We're still all thinking of you Ash and keeping our fingers and paws crossed.

[ChrisH]

Aw, what a good boy he was at the vets! Sorry to hear the meds hadn't started working yet ... maybe they have by now?

Sending prayers and positive thoughts that he will be better real soon.

[carole]

Well folks whatever is wrong is not getting better, he has now started sneezing all over the place, just happened yesterday,he does appear to have stopped swallowing as much, so maybe the antibiotics are helping his chest, it appears to me it must be viral, and strange he was sick for three days, no sneezes nothing, now he has them, I am puzzled, I am worried Lexie will pick it up from him too, but she is young and healthy and they are not sleeping buddies, Ash barely tolerates her, but still all that sneezing, there is a chance.

It was a nice sunny day today, so I let him out on the verandah, and he has taken off, and not come back, did not eat breakfast either, and up till now his appetitie has been very good, mind you the meds could alter that, so now I am worried where he is, please keep him in your thought and hope he turns up soon, he often does this, not out of his nature, but of course I am more concerned because of his state of health, I thought the sunshine would be good for him and help clear up his nasal problems.

[jenluckenbach]

:( Poor Ash :(

You must feel better soon !

[carole]

Ash came back home, he was gone for few hrs though, and ate his breakfast, he is sneezing continually, and is keeping his mouth open, to breathe, not sure if it is because he is blocked up or something worse, I have talked to the vet, not mine as she was away, but they thought he should not be sneezing, obviously something in his airways is troubling him, I am getting very worried as he is not picking up, seems to be getting worse, I think I will need to take him back, if there is no improvement soon, they want me to finish his 5 days medication first, unless he goes right downhill, so hopefully they might kick in soon, I am so hoping my ole boy can fight whatever it is and get over this.

All your continued positive vibes and prayers would be much appreciated, thanks.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm sorry to hear that Ash seems to be getting worse.:( Prayers and positive thoughts are being sent your way. I sure hope that he'll start to improve soon and that you won't need to take him to the vets again. Please take care.

[carole]

Thanks so much KAK , i really feel concerned for him, he is not looking well at all, and if off his food a bit now, but hopefully that is just the meds he is on ,or because he is feeling worse.

Ash needs all the help he can get right now, so I really appreciate your kind thoughts, PLEASE THE POWER OF PT WORK AGAIN!!!!

[gini]

Gosh Carole, is it possible for you to call the vet and mention the sneezing and lack of improvement.

Let's just hope that the meds will work soon. I know how much you worry when they are sick and you are doing everything that you possibly can to help.

Count on me for a prayer for his quick recovery.

[carole]

Thanks Gini, yes I have talked with the vet about it, they said as long as he does not go further downhill, they would like him to finish his meds, but he is going back if he does not improve mighty soon.

[smokey the elder]

One of my fosters had to go on chloramphenicol for a URI because he was not responding to Clavamox. Usually if an antibiotic doesn't start working within 2-4 days that means there is a resistant bug. This sounds like the really bad URI that went through our cats last month.

I sure hope Ash feels better!

[ChrisH]

Poor Ash. :( Keeping those prayers and positive thoughts going for him.

[carole]

You could well be right smokey the elder, thanks for that advice, he is still sneezing today, his 3rd day, and has been on the antibots since wednesday, he is still not feeling very well, but eating better today, he is on Clavulox twice daily 50mg, and ketofen (antiflamm).

I think I may have found the source as to where he picked this up, if it is indeed a URI, A little ginger tom has been visiting, he is owned that I am sure of, and is sleeping in my pram in the carport (I use it for delivering heavy papers) and he appears to be sneezing, i am going to knock on doors a street down where I think I have seen him, and then hopefully his owners will get him treated, course it could be pure coincidence.

Ash is older too, so his immune system may take more time to kick in,and he might be having more trouble fighting it than a younger cat, its not flue as he is vaccinated against that.

I just hope he has nothing stuck major in his airways, but I think I will mention to the vet on Monday what you have told me, and if necessary we will try another course of antibots, thanks so much.

I really appreciate everyone's concern and well wishes, my son is due back in two weeks, and he will be so looking forward to seeing Ash, he just loves the old boy, has a repoire with him really, a mutual respect I would call it, so let us hope ole Ash gets through this and soon. You are all wonderfully supportive and it means a lot to me and Ash.:)

[AmberLee]

Weird little concern, but I find when I am on antibiotics (especially as I'm getting older) that I'm more suceptible (arrgh!. can't spell tonight) to picking up other infections.

Hope he snaps out of it soon. {{{hugs to you, Ash and family}}}

[Killearn Kitties]

Hugs to Ash. I hope he feels better soon. Still sending those positive thoughts.

[carole]

Thanks everyone, he is still sneezing away, and has made no progress, but has not gone downhill either, I have a stray orangie in my carport with the exact same symptons, posted about him on another thread, and after talking to the cat shelters it is a virus going around, and Ash will need different treatment, Viravec, not sure on the spelling.

The vet is ringing me on Monday, so I will tell her what I have learned since, as when I took him he had no sneezing, or signs of a cold at all, fingers and paws crossed young lexie does not get it, apparently it takes about a week to hatch, its been four days so far, so good.

Keep those positive thoughts and vibes coming Ash'e boy needs all the help he can get. Thanks.:)

[AmberLee]

{{{Ash & Carole}}}

~~~ more vibes ~~~

[carole]

Thanks Amberlee, we feel them we really do, Ash is asleep on the bed next door to me, my daughters room and bed, he still has a temp, more so than when I took him to the vet I reckon, I just hope the ole guy can get over this and soon, its very worrying.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Originally posted by carole

... he still has a temp,
more so than when I took him to the vet...


Are you sure he's drinking water??

If he's not drinking a normal amount of fluids -
you might consider adding a flavor enhancer to his water -

Boots didn't think much of the PT-Suggested KLAM Juze :eek: ---
but he Does GO FOR :) the addition of Tuna Juze to his water!

And some of the PT KAT-owners have suggested a "breathing treatment"
in the bathroom - Run the Shower on super-HOT to generate some
steam - it helps break up any "stffiness".
But I wouldn't *steam* poor Ash too long -
the steam won't help bring his temperature down.

{{{HUGS}}} & PRAYERS for dear Ash!

[carole]

Thanks for the suggestions, I will indeed do the shower thing for a short time, sounds a brilliant idea, I could do with it myself, unblock those passages.

I am going to be talking with the vet tomorrow, so will let you know what she thinks.

[ChrisH]

Poor Ash. :( Sorry to hear he's still poorly.

Keeping the prayers and postive thoughts going.

{{Hugs}} for you both.
Chris

[carole]

I think Ash has made a slight improvement since last night, he began grooming himself thoroughly and rolling around being a cutey kitty, and I think his temperature dropped, he is much more bright eyed this morning and although still sneezing, had some red meat today, which he loves and has turned his nose up at whilst being ill.

After my chat with the vet, I am sure she is right, that Ash has the cat flue, even though he has been Vaccinated, apparently as with humans they can still pick it up, I did not know this, and would have thought he would not have been quite so ill.

I guess the little cat in my carport in the pram has got it too, he seems to have gone, so hopefully he has gone back home to his owners, let us hope they get him to a vet smartly.

Thanks so much for all your lovely messages, I am sure they are helping Ash to recover, if i did not know better I would could swear he gave it to me, I feel really bad myself today, cold type symptons.

I now have to watch out for a secondary infection setting in, so I hope this does not happen and he will be fine soon., heres hoping and that Lexie does not succumb to it.

[AmberLee]

{{{Ash!}}} {{{Carole!}}}

~~~ still more healing vibes to both of ya! ~~~

[carole]

Thanks Amberlee , your concern and hugs are much appreciated, does anyone know just how long Ash will continue to sneeze, he is still sneezing away, not quite as often though, poor old guy, its almost funny to watch, he holds his mouth open before he sneezes, and then away he goes one after another, then rubs his nose with his paw briskly, I have been wiping his nose with tissue to help him out, not that there is any streaming coming from his nose at all, so guess thats a good sign.

He is better, but I do wish his sneezing would stop , then I would really believe he is almost over this.

I have to tell you we pilled him this morning , feeling confident he had swallowed it, low and behold an hour later I find it by the heater, the little monkey obviously held it in his mouth , swallowed convincing us it was gone, then spat it out, now I am wondering just how many of these antibiotics he has done that with, I never knew cats could do that,you live and learn.

[Craftlady]

Yep cats can projectile pills real good. Been there done that one. :) However, now I have my trusty piller and that's been a life safer for pilling. Although, once I got hang of giving medicine I could get the pill down and have it stay down. I like the piller it is a neat gaget.

[carole]

Hubby and I were quite pleased with ourselves, finally getting the hang of pilling Ash,and thought what a good boy he is,little did we know, I am going to invest in that gadget, I enquired at his visit, but since that was expensive enough, decided next time I will get one, when I pick up their flea treatment.

[gini]

Carole you have no idea what a difference the piller will make for you.

Rascal has the fastest paw in the West (of the U.S.) and can snag me with a claw so rapidly.

I have seen so many of my cats go PATOOIE with an expensive pill in my day.

I hope that Ash is soon much much better.

[carole]

Gini hubby and I thought we had it in the bag so to speak, hubby holds Ash by the scruff of the neck, points his head upwards, I open his mouth against much resistence and pop it well down his throat, then stroke his throat to help it down, but the sneak must have swallowed and still managed to keep it in his mouth and spat it out later.

I am only concerned that he did not get all the others now, but I have not found any other white or bright pink pills around, so hopefully he got the course, I am going to get the pill contraption for sure.

[Craftlady]

The piller ran us about $5 or $6
At the time I thought I just spent some serious cash here at the vets, it would of been nice to get it for "free". Not the case that day. :rolleyes:

[slick]

I have friends that swear by the piller, but I've tried it and I'm just not coordinated enough to use it. :rolleyes:
Good luck. Glad to hear Ash is on the mend.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Yes cats can be very sneaky when it comes to pills. That's why I always open up their mouths to double check that the pill has really been swallowed.:)
Ash may sneeze for up to a week or so because this is what Sky did when he had been sick. Sky had to be on antibiotics for 2 weeks but luckily he's very easy to pill. Good luck and I hope that Ash gets better very soon.:)

[Killearn Kitties]

:D :D We've seen plenty pills come flying out at the time, but I've never found one later!

We do find the piller good. It's easier to get the pill far back in their mouth. It's still a two person job though! - well with our girls anyway.