Tiger update-Reading by Denise included!

[Freedom]

I only just learned of Convenia last week, when I had Bobby at the vet allergist. She gave him a shot, but told me that it only works on certain bacteria, so on other types we have to go back to the Clavamox / Baytril, etc.

So you tried, that, nothing; tried the Depo, nothing. Looks like another antibiotic is next to try.

Sounds like all of you are overwhelmed with everything which is happening, I am so sorry for that. I hope the next antibiotic does the trick, and Tiger can stay home away from the white coats for a while!!! Yes, I am sure he does as well.

Just curious, the x ray was taken with no anesthesia? This is the second time I've heard of this on here. My vet never even considers an x ray without anesthesia, can't understand how the cat remains still! (Nor can I for that matter.)

After all you have been through with Tiger, it would be ashame to quit on an antibiotic issue. Hang in there, all of you!

[Catty1]

Hey, how are you? How is Tiger - did he get the new antibiotic?

I feel for your hubby - and for you. There is SO much going on. You'd think with the Olympics coming up nearby, someone would want to buy your beautiful house in that area before then. Maybe bill it as a "Pre-Olympic Special" - as prices will sure go up the year before AND for several years after!

HUGS!

[Pawsitive Thinking]

As well, my husband is getting irritated with the continued vet visits and although he loves Tiger, he thinks this is all too much. Most people that we know (friends, family) think that as well. I don't know why I'm trying so hard to save him at all costs.

Although I sort of understand their sentiments, I don't agree with them at all. The reason you are trying so hard to save him is because you know it is the right thing to do. If Tiger was suffering and wanted it all to be over he would let you know and you would know it in your heart.

Good luck little Tiger

[MoonandBean]

In human medicine, the best antibiotics for any compromised lung condition (bronchitis on top of asthma, etc...) are the Quinolones. The quinolones (cipro, levaquin in the human world) are very well tolerated and also very broad spectrum. Bean was on one for a skin infection. If Tiger hasn't been on a quinolone yet, that might be a good next choice? (up to the vet, of course, but a suggestion could never hurt).

**Freedom mentioned Baytril...I believe that is a quinolone.

[Emeraldgreen]

Just curious, the x ray was taken with no anesthesia? This is the second time I've heard of this on here. My vet never even considers an x ray without anesthesia, can't understand how the cat remains still! (Nor can I for that matter.)

For the most part, all my animals are wide awake and are not under any kind of sedation for xrays. The vet has the techs wear their lead coats and lead gloves and they stretch him out on his back, each holding one end of him and then one of the techs steps on the button on the floor to quickly take the shot.

In human medicine, the best antibiotics for any compromised lung condition (bronchitis on top of asthma, etc...) are the Quinolones. The quinolones (cipro, levaquin in the human world) are very well tolerated and also very broad spectrum. Bean was on one for a skin infection. If Tiger hasn't been on a quinolone yet, that might be a good next choice? (up to the vet, of course, but a suggestion could never hurt).

**Freedom mentioned Baytril...I believe that is a quinolone.

Thanks for posting this info Deb! My vet got super busy yesterday after I put a call into them and forgot to get back to me. She called into the clinic this morning as it is her day off today and asked the receptionist to call and apologize. It's okay though, he is no worse, just the same and they have been so good to me at this hospital. Even though they keep examining him every time I come in for an injection or xrays, they haven't charged me the exam fee. I think they know how much money we've spent on Tiger (coming up on the 6,000 mark soon!!) and they're just really great. It's an all female staff there and the energy is so awesome. (no offense to male docs intended, it's just that this group of vets and techs work very well together).

So Deb, I called the clinic back and acted like I knew what I was talking about (LOL) and said, "what do you think about trying Baytril with Tiger?". The receptionist said she'd talk it over with the vet and call me back. 3 minutes later she called back and said the vet thought that would be a good choice! So, thank you for sharing your thoughts on this.

I'm going to pick them up today and we'll get him started on them asap. The trick will be getting them into him. She said the tabs are pretty small so that will help. I'm hoping to crush them and mix them into wet food or salmon cream cheese. I know some of you are probably thinking 'why doesn't she just pill him??' but honestly, it's so hard. He is gurgly, snuffly, coughing and I can't stand to freak him out with trying to get a pill down his throat. You should see the look he gives me when it all goes terribly wrong (as it usually does when I try and pill him). He looks so hurt and disappointed in me.
But, I promise, if he won't eat them any other way, I'll get my husband to hold him and we will pop these pills down his throat. He will get these meds.

[MoonandBean]

You should try pilling a human

[jennielynn1970]

Oh, I hope the Baytril will kick in and do the job for Tiger!! I used it with my FIV+ kitties, because it is strong and it worked well on their URIs that were not as easy to get rid of with clavamox.

Big hugs going out to you and to Tiger. You are doing what your heart and your mind are telling you is right. That's the only way to go, you don't want to second guess something like this, or make a rash decision. I'm sure, if the time comes, Tiger will let you know it. They have a way of doing so. In the meantime, give him lots of love and attention, and make sure you tell him we all love him and are pulling for him to beat this!

[kittycats_delight]

I have been following this thread but haven't posted until now. I do hope it is just an infection and can be treated fairly easily. We can all tell how much you are fighting for Tiger and you really are a wonderful catmom.

Prayers for Tiger from Italy non-stop.

I have one thing to add...when giving anti-biotics it is not suggested to give them with dairy products cause the bacteria in dairy kills the effectiveness of the antibiotic. I found this out when we had to give my RB Lilith antibiotics and asked the vet what to use to get her to take them as she was very difficult to pill. I told her their was only a couple of things she never turned down and one was cheese. And she said absolutely no type of cheese or any other dairy product. Just a FYI. I wouldn't want you pilling him and it not working because of the dairy.

HUGS to you both.
Michelle

[Emeraldgreen]

Oh, I hope the Baytril will kick in and do the job for Tiger!! I used it with my FIV+ kitties, because it is strong and it worked well on their URIs that were not as easy to get rid of with clavamox.

Big hugs going out to you and to Tiger. You are doing what your heart and your mind are telling you is right. That's the only way to go, you don't want to second guess something like this, or make a rash decision. I'm sure, if the time comes, Tiger will let you know it. They have a way of doing so. In the meantime, give him lots of love and attention, and make sure you tell him we all love him and are pulling for him to beat this!

Thanks Jenn and Michelle and everyone!
I picked up 10 days of Baytril today. He is to get 1/2 a tablet once per day which is going to make things so much simpler than twice per day!
On a whim, I decided to buy some pill pockets to see if they would work. In the past he has snubbed his nose at the salmon flavoured pill pockets and at the dog ones that I accidentally bought for him. Today I bought the chicken pill pockets.

When we got home I split a half tablet into two quarters and put one quarter into a pill pocket and put it on the floor. HE ATE IT!!!

I immediately put the second quarter into a pill pocket and he ate that too! I'm so thrilled. I hope tomorrow goes as smoothly and that the meds begin to bring about a change in Tiger's health. He is very slow moving today but I put him out in the outdoor enclosure this evening and he really seemed to enjoy his time out there watching the robins hopping about making their peeping sounds. I think he'd like it better if he could catch one but he'll have to settle for 'observing' them instead. lol

[Catty1]

Oh, I hope Tiger takes a good turn tomorrow!

Since the Baytril doesn't mix with dairy, what about the Transfer Factor? Can they go into pill pockets or something until the Baytril is done?

PT Prayers for Tiger...he is SOO beautiful!

[Emeraldgreen]

Oh, I hope Tiger takes a good turn tomorrow!

Since the Baytril doesn't mix with dairy, what about the Transfer Factor? Can they go into pill pockets or something until the Baytril is done?

PT Prayers for Tiger...he is SOO beautiful!

Thanks Candace.
I meant to mention the dairy thing in my last post but forgot.
Thank you for the info about that Michelle, I didn't know that and it's so important. PT is such a great place for learning things!
I will stick with the pill pockets for the Baytril or just pill him with my husband's help.
I've kind of put the Transfer Factor capsules on the back burner for right now because he's not interested in the usual things that I put the meds in and now that cream cheese isn't an option, there's only one other thing that he'll sometimes have and it's a Nutri-Cal paste that I got for him. It's like the hairball remedy but it's got a high caloric content and some vitamins. But in the last few days, the last thing he seems to want is sticky, gooey stuff that seems to clog up his throat. With all that he's dealing with I don't really blame him. I think it makes him feel more congested after he swallows it. I did get 60 caps of the Transfer Factor turned into a seafood flavoured suspension at the compounding pharmacy but of course he hates it and hates anything that I try and hide it in.
I tried to force a few ml's into him but it made things worse and I was concerned about causing him to aspirate.
So for now, we're going to leave the Transfer Factor out of the daily routine and just focus on the Baytril and whatever food might interest him. My hope is that if it is an infection, he will improve a bit each day and hopefully get his appetite back and then we can try and get back on track.