We just can't get it right!

[cats4ever]

Atopica for cats has been a godsend for Monroe's allergies. He has a thick coat now.
But...one week ago, he started coughing, and he has been gulping and swallowing for several weeks and he sounds hoarse. First I thought that, since he's Mindy's brother, it just runs in the family.
His weight is also on a downward spiral, in small increments.
The vet saw him today, and she suspects that the regurgitation is caused by the Atopica. It is one of the top side effects, along with weight loss.
So she recommended reducing the dose. I have done this before because of his anorexia, and a few days later, he started tearing up his skin again.
And, if this won't help the reflux, she suggested to try the omeprazole, which made Mindy really sick.
I am torn about what to do. None of those options sounds appealing.
One good thing we found out today was about his heart. We took x-rays to make sure there wasn't a mass in his throat, so she happened to see his heart as well, and it has barely increased in size.

[cassiesmom]

Fingers tightly crossed (and paws at the RB crossed, too) that you can reduce the dose, if need be, without Monroe tearing at his skin again. (((HUGS))) and a gentle kiss to your sweet boy.

[phesina]

We are sending all our love and best wishes that this will be worked out satisfactorily for Monroe. Gentle pets and kisses to him.

{{{{{HUGS}}}}} and ~~~~PURRRS~~~~ and from Pat and Sparkler

[Catty1]

Since that dose is working so well for Monroe, might giving him a half Pepcid a few minutes before his dose help the reflux?

Poor baby and you! Prayers for a successful solution.

[cats4ever]

Thank you all! I told Monroe about all the support and he's sending his loudest (it's really loud) purr, and head bumpies.
I will check on a Pepcid dose. It would be great if this would work.

[Catty1]

Thank you all! I told Monroe about all the support and he's sending his loudest (it's really loud) purr, and head bumpies.
I will check on a Pepcid dose. It would be great if this would work.

When Cole first started on his chemo, famotidine was one of the meds I was supposed to deliver ahead of time to ease the impact on the stomach.

(The other was Benardyl - diphrenydramine? - as mast cells put out histamines and the d. was an antihistamine. He hasn't had to take that for ages and his buffy coat test two months ago still showed NO mast cells in the blood. )