*VERY* Worried about my Basie Bee :(

[NoahsMommy]

Guys, I'm so worried about Basie. Ever since I/we moved in with CiCi and Phil, his asthma has gotten so much worse. I'm not complete sure what is triggering it, but it has me worried. I'm going to make an appointment for Monday at The Cat Doctor and see if we can get him his own kitty inhaler.

He's coughing, sneezing and most of all wheezing like crazy. CiCi's going to bring home some pred tomorrow (she's working 10 p.m to 6 a.m.). We'll pill tihs little buggie and maybe it'll help give him SOME relief until Monday's white coat visit.

He's been so bad, I don't know what's stopped me from taking him to the vet, and I feel bad about that. I guess its been $$. But he's worth a late car payment any time.

Please keep him in your prayers. He jumped, well, walked from the futon to the bed to see me. His eyes were watery from sneezing and coughing and he just looked at me. I could tell he felt bad, it about broke my heart.

Here's some really good info on Feline Asthma, if anyone's interested:
http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/health/asthma.html

And of course, here is my Basie:

[moosmom]

Hi Kelly!!!

I'm so glad to see you posting again! I've missed you!!

My Mollie Rose has kitty asthma. I give her Chlortrimeton (or CVS generic brand). 1/2 a tab a day. Helps with the watery eyes and sneezing. I took her to the vet when I first got back to CT. $148 later, the stupid vet gave her Ammoxicilin ( I TOLD him she'd been on every anti-biotic under the sun INCLUDING Amox). Didn't do squat. So I keep giving her the Chlortrimeton daily and also 500 mgs of Lisine for her immune system. When she has a bad asthma attack, I'll give her the prednisone. I don't like to give it to her on a long-term basis because it can mess up her immune system and cause liver problems.

I hope Basie feels better.

[catnapper]

Oh Kelly, I'm so sorry (((hugs))) I'll be praying for him.

I just also wanted to let you know we all miss you. Sorry to see your return is to ask for prayers for your sweet boy. I hopew everything else is going well for you. (((hugs))

PS: I completely understand making the car payment late to pay for vet care instead. Pouncer has taken many car payments away from GMAC since he fist got sick last October.

[G535]

Poor Basie, hope you can get the right treatment for him soon. As a chronic asthmatic myself I can understand what the poor guy is going through.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Kelly, it's great seeing you post again but I'm sorry that Basie is so sick. I don't know anything about kitty asthma but hopefully Basie will be able to get on the right meds to help him. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent his way. Please take care. (((HUGS)))

[kimboe]

Oh, I hope Bassie is alright! I will send prayers your way for lil furkid.

[NoahsMommy]

(((HUGS)))

Thanks, guys!

I couldn't hold out till CiCi got home at 6:00 a.m. I took him to her - at the risk of paying emergency rates (he's worth it).

Turns out my little guy has a URI, on top of his kitty asthma. Thats why he was looking so pathetic. He had a temp of 103.7.

He saw a fantastic vet who typed up his instructions for me...and it was *only* $75.00.

How to make Basie all better...

1. 62.5 mg Clavamox tablets, twice daily.

2. Monitor symptoms and note the side of the nasal discharge and its character. (Basie's kitty boogers have been coming out of only his right nostril, isn't that wierd? This could be indicative of a foreign body! Doh...leave it to Basie to not only eat stupid things (glass, plastic, metal, etc.), but to sniff them up his nose as well. Anyone missing a CHILD?? hee hee)

3. Check temp every other day (with CiCi's help) <---she actually put that in...hee hee. Normal cat temp is 100.5 to 102.5

4. To help alleviate his nasal congestion, you can bring him in the bathroom when you are using the shower so he can breathe the humid air. You can also use a humidifier in your room. (LOVE the vet's excuse for me to take lots of hot baths! )

5. Please monitor his appetite and bowel movements. Sometimes cats can get so congested that they lose their appetite. ...etc...

If Basil does not respond to conservative therapy with antibiotics and nebulization (breathing steam from the shower), we recommend submitting a complete blood panel and taking chest x-rays.

In aspects of therapy aimed at his allergic airway disease include diet change and inhalant medications for feline asthma. ...etc...

So, CiCi and I will do as we've been told to get Basie all better. Of course, with it being an infection, I may have a whole slew of sneezy/coughing kitties on my hands. Noah was sniffley today, so we're going to give him - correction, I will be giving him some preventative Clav. (Noah likes CiCi, but...I don't want that to change, it took a bit of time for them to bond. But, that's another thread...

Anyway, thanks so much for the prayers (and welcome back!). I've missed you all terribly. I'm going to use Phil's computer at least every other day when he's done with it. I don't want to miss anything like what I missed with all the babies that are arriving and baking in the PT ovens!!

Anyway, I'm going to see about getting Basie an inhaler after he's all better with this URI. The vet I saw tonight (this morning?) said that she's seen them really help kitties with thier asthma symptoms. Basie is constantly wheezing after any sort of exurtion.

Thanks again!

Love & Hugs,
Kelly

[krazyaboutkatz]

Kelly, I'm so glad to hear that Basie is feeling much better. I hope he'll be back to normal soon Take care.

[Sara luvs her Tinky]

Poor Basie Kat..

Im sorry he isn't feeling well.. sending some *hugs* and *kisses* over for him..

Glad you see you back too Kelly! Other than your sick baby.. I hope all is well with you!!

[slick]

Kelly, I was going to post this in blue for Basie Boy but thought the "pink and sparkly" theme would cheer you up. I'm so glad that he is doing much better. I have to chuckle at your comment about him blowing when you have the kleenex ready. It's exactly like a small child, isn't it?? Still praying for his continued recovery.

[Catty1]

He's cleaning his OWN nose? GREAT! Glad to hear BB is on the mend!

Keep us posted ok?

hugs
Catty1

[jazzcat]

Poor Basie. Please feel better soon sweetie. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts coming your way.

Good to see you Kelly.

[NoahsMommy]

(((hugs)))

Thanks again for the well wishes, guys.

He's sneezing a bit more today. So I turned the heater as well as the humidifier on to help him breath a bit better. I can still tell he isn't feeling very well - he might have sympathy pains for his dear Auntie CiCi, she was just diagnosed with pneumonia this afternoon! Poor things!

He's still hating the pilling thing. The better he feels, the more he fusses. That little nawtee kitty will keep the pill in his mouth till you let him go and he spits it out...mush and all! Bratty! So we're clamping his mouth shut and keeping him there for at least a minute so he HAS to swallow.

Poor Basie...constant torture from the hoomans.

Thanks again for your concern. You guys always understand how worrisome it is when our furballs are ill. Feeling helpless is a understatement.

Hugs,
Kelly