Pepper May Have Allergies or Something Worse

[krazyaboutkatz]

Here's an update on Pepper. He seemed to have a bit more energy this morning. He's also eating and drinking but he still gets sneezing attacks and his nose is still stuffy. He's a terrible pill taker so I tried a trick that a lady at work used to do with her cat. I bought some cream cheese and rolled the pill in that and then dropped it down his throat. He managed to lick off all the cream cheese and spit the pill out the first time but swallowed it the second time. He also seemed to enjoy it more. Maybe in time he'll learn to love taking his pill.
Here's some info about Prednisolone. It says that it's a cortisone medication and in dogs and to a lesser extent in cats, this medication will cause an increase in thirst, urination, and appetite. I should give him plenty of water but feed him normally. I think that it might be a generic for prednisone but I'm not sure. I'm going to call the vet on Friday and I'll ask about using an antihistamine. Thanks for all the get well wishes everyone.

[Randi]

Sorry, I missed this thread also! I've had Fister to deal with lately.

I hope Pepper is feeling much better now, we'll be sending good thoughts his way and keep our fingers crossed for him!

Fister had Prednisolon pills last year - also 1/2 two times a day, I think it was for about a week. You will probably notice, he'll get a bit rounder during this, but don't worry! When he stops taking them, he'll be back to normal soon after. I don't think cats (or anyone) are supposed to be taking these pills for vey long, but your vet will surely know!

Pepper, I hope for a speedy recovery - get well soon!!

[jenluckenbach]

Has Pepper been checked for asthma? I do not have personal experience with it, and I do not know how hard it is to diagnose, but it's a question worth asking.
I am suspecting a connection between the room mate and the sneezing. Is there anything (hair spray, cologne, laudry products, powder, soap, room deodorizer....) that he might be reacting to?

[emily_the_spoiled]

Good morning,

I am glad that Pepper is doing a little better this morning. You are correct, Prednisolone is a type of steroid (similar to Prednisone). If Pepper had asthma, the Prednisolone would have made a significant difference in his breathing, etc. From the sounds of his reaction to the Prednisolone and the continuation of the sneezing problems, it is likely he has allergies. I hope the vet will provide him something that helps.

P.S. FYI, in human medications there is a liquid form of Prednisone. For those cats that don't like taking pills this maybe another option...

[krazyaboutkatz]

Pepper seems to be a little better today. He's not sneezing as much but his nose is still stuffy. I'm going to call the vet tomorrow to let him know how Pepper is doing. Since I've been rolling his pills in cream cheese, it's been quite easy to give them to him. The only problem is that Storm thinks that he should also have some cream cheese. I'll let you know what the vet says tomorrow.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Here's an update on Pepper. Since my vet wasn't in until today, the other vet suggested that I use a vaporizer over the weekend. This seems to help him some but later his nose becomes stuffy again. I finally talked to my vet this am and he recommended that we do bloodwork and a nose swab. Now he's off of the predisolone and is only taking interferron. He goes to the vet this Wed. at 9am. I have to fast him for 12 hours prior to this. It shouldn't be a problem since my cats are usually finished with their food by 8pm anyway. There will be a slight problem in the morning because I'll have to fast all three of them. When I get back from the vets I'll feed all of them. I sure hope that these tests will tell me something. I hate not knowing what the problem is. Please say some prayers for Pepper. Thank you.

[Nomilynn]

Pepper will continiue to be in my prayers, and my kitties are even fasting with him!! (not by thier choice though!!)

Please let us know how he's doing

[jenluckenbach]

Prayers to Pepper. and {{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}

[ChrisH]

Keeping Pepper in my prayers.

Hugs.

[AmberLee]

Yow. I'd missed this thread. Sure hope the little lovebug is feeling better soon. Fingers (and paws) crossed here for him.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Thanks for the prayers everyone. I probably won't know any results until Fri. or Sat. I sure hope that I don't have to wait until Monday. Pepper's nose is very stuffy tonight. He still has an appetite and is drinking. I have the vaporizer going right now and he's lying in his box near it. I think he knows that this helps him. I'll give you an update as soon as I know something.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Pepper had his bloodwork and nasal swab done today. He was a very good cat. He didn't even cry in the car like he usually does. He's now on another type of antibiotic until I can get the results of his tests. It's called Clindamycin Hydrochloride Drops and it's a fairly strong antibiotic that kills several types of bacteria. I should find out the blood results by Fri. am and the nasal swab by Sat. or Mon. I hope they can tell us what is wrong with him.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Here's another update on Pepper. He seems to be doing much better. Maybe he has a bacterial infection after all. I'm still using the vaporizer at night, I also like it for myself, and he's on his new medicine. I should find out about his blood work results tomorrow. I sure hope that everything is normal.

[jenluckenbach]

good news that he is feeling better. I sure hope the blood work comes back OK.

[ChrisH]

Glad to hear Pepper is feeling a bit better Prayers sent, and fingers and paws crossed, that the blood works results are good.