Poor Pyka - better update post 15

[Catlady711]

Your mom is correct allergy testing is expensive, and from everything I've learned at work it's only 50-70% accurate in pets.

I would seriously think about a second opinion. Sometimes just having a new set of eyes look at the problem produces different results.

Good luck

[Catty1]

Thanks, CatLady. When Mom and I talked, rather than doing the testing, she is going to ask for a week's supply of antihistamine. There seem to be just one or two that work on cats, so perhaps the specific allergy is not important?

I mean - she can afford the money - but just last week it was $600! But she wouldn't have him PTS for anything!

She is going for a second opinion if her vet digs in...she'll go to my vet, who is really good and tuned into things. I'll go with her!

Poor Pyka...but he is so sweet. He was sleeping up on a closet shelf yesterday, and I was patting him and rubbing the bridge of his nose, and he kept giving me meezer-sounding "mows", just talking back to me. He is SUCH a sweetie!

[moosmom]

Mollie Rose was treated for sneezing and watery eyes. The vet gave her Zythromax and Prednisone, which she hasn't needed since the last time she was treated. She was diagnosed with kitty asthma.

[Catty1]

Hi, Donna:

Pyka was on Clavamox, then the Zythro for a month, and now Prednisone(with the Zyth or Clavamox for a bit, can't remember)...nothing has worked!

I think we have to try antihistamines or a second opinion, or both.

He doesn't sneeze OFTEN, but when he does...and then the infernal scratching; no rash or anything.

He has even produced a hematoma under his chin, but that resorbs quite quickly.

*sigh* poor kitty. And poor mom - this is her baby!

[krazyaboutkatz]

Poor Pyka. I sure hope that antihistamines will work. Sky and Sunny both have seasonal allergies and I've given Sky Clortrimetron sp? before and it seemed to help him a little bit. My old vet also gave me some type of allergy medicine last year when Sky became so bad but I forgot the name of it. Getting a second opinion is a great idea. I did this for Starr and now I have a wonderful new vet. Tell your mom that Pyka will remain in my thoughts and prayers.

[jennielynn1970]

I was waiting for a response from my parents about what their cat Lucey takes. She had lived me for a few years after my grandpa died, but became allergic, I swear, to the town I lived in. She was fine in Allentown, but when I moved to Bethlehem, she just got so bad. She was sniffly and sneezy all the time, and the vet couldn't get her any better living with me, he suggested having her go to my parents' place in the country. She's been doing much better there since she's been up there. She takes Prednisone on an as needed basis, and she also gets (I think this is what my dad said..) Dextromethasone. I know she gets a shot once a month during the summer.

She no longer sneezes blood, but she does get semi stuffy and her eyes get weepy when the meds wear off. She's a semi-smushy faced kitty, a tortie with one heck of an attitude. Maybe your mom's vet might want to try the Dextro stuff.

[Catty1]

Today was vet day...the vet is reluctant to use antihistamines, as the steroids do the job... in fact, Mom said when Pyka does sneeze now, it is much fainter and losing pinkness.

I'll have her ask the vet about the Dextromethasone. Is that a steroid as well?

Thanks, Jenn.