Hypoxia and Medicine

Chronic Respiratory Problems in a cat?

I am sorry this is kinda long but maybe more details will yield better answers? Last summer I was given a few cats to "foster" because the colony they lived in was being poisoned. We picked up five cats from the colony four 2 week old kittens whose mother was poisoned and (as the females in the cat colony were all fixed besides the one who was dumped there pregnant) their were no surrogates available. The kittens all survived except one who developmentally was delayed with things such as grooming and playing who eventually mid way through her sixth week had seizures and we had to put her to sleep at the vets recommendation (he did not test for why that happened so maybe their is a connection to pumpkin....he didnt know about Pumpkin the older cat). Pumpkin turned 11 this winter, she lived in the cat colony since she was abandoned in the winter as a kitten, she was the oldest surviving cat there. Since she was a kitten she had what the woman who cared for her called a "cold" . Basically she is congested, she bubbles snot from her nose, her purr is a (loud) gurgle and she could barely meow when we got her and now when she tries no sound comes out. Her eyes are runny and I clean them daily although they do not really need to be cleaned that often, the eyes themselves are clear and functional but they have crust that forms under them. Half her teeth are gone on one side except for little stubs which suggest to me they may have been broken. Besides this she is a totally functional cat, she is happy, responsive, her food intake is good and what comes out looks normal mostly, shes gained a bit of weight as she looks fuller (not wormy full though) and her fur is really clean with no help from us. Shes only been to the vet once when she was fixed, and although she had the condition then the vet did not comment. Recently she has been given a dose of REVOLUTION which my aunt speculated may help but I am doubtful based on the fact its more for worms and fleas and ticks and parasites like that vs. what ever this seems to be? No other cat in the colony seemed to have it either. The condition was worse in the summer and agitated when she had a brief stay at a farm where she was kept with hay while I was out of town. She is an outside cat who has an insulated custom made house and is locked in the garage at night (where her food water house blankets and litter box are) but has the run of the yard (and much to my anguish the neighborhood when the mood strikes her. When I go outside to smoke she likes to sit with me and does not seem bothered by the smoke (no sneezing or coughing or different wheezing). I do not have the money to take her to the vet. I know you should not have a pet you can not afford the proper medical care for but I do not have very many options for her. I've co oped at the humane society and I know she would not make it on the the adoption floor based on age and present condition. No other organization will take her. And I cant adopt a sick cat to strangers (Ive asked everyone close to me). So do not suggest putting her down or surrendering her. I know she still has a very quality of life and putting her down is not what is best for her. If anyone can suggest what the problem might be, how to make her more comfortable or anything helpful id love to here your input. Itd mean so much to me to provide her with a better life. Thankyou everyone who took the time to read this. Payment plans are out of the options here. She can no go inside because of our "real pet cats" (not my words but I am not the only person in the house, she is sick and I cant expose the other pets to her).As terrible as this is I do not own the house I am at and she "is just a stray". The garage is cat proof, only thing in there is her stuff and patio furniture and a blow up pool. Their is no infection or tenderness where her teeth are and she has no trouble eating. She didnt have a little box until she came to me so I know its not the litter.

Public Comments

1. some of her health problems just sound like old age to me give her soft food for her worn down teeth and brush the little stubs that she has the "wheezing" is probably feline asthma do to being in dusty conditions also her litter box if you put litter that is really dusty she can inhale a partical that some litters have and it eventually causes feline respiratory problems so you can perhaps change the litter and that may help...good luck with her and i hope you can come up with the financial means to eventually take her to the vet but for now just try keeping her in places with fresh air and keep her eyes clear you can try over the counter things for runny eyes too if they have any...
2. next time keep ur cat indoor
3. I'm not a vet of course, but what comes to mind... Cats who've had cat flu can be left with chronic problems, so this could be the case with her. I think in some cases they can become carriers of the virus. Next time you see a vet (since you've been before I'm assuming you'll go at some point!) I'd ask about this. If she has a Persian type face she might have some problems with her nose and tear ducts. She'll need them cleaning every day You say many of her teeth are just stubs: that doesn't sound great. I do know a cat with a deformed tooth and a runny eye. The eye got better once the tooth was out... I think possibly those teeth may be a centre for infection. In any case they could well be bad even if not connected. It would be good to get her teeth checked, and get her a dental if needed.. you might need to start saving for this! You said it got worse when she was around hay. She might have allergies. Try and keep dust down (you could mist areas in hot weather), make sure her house is clean etc. The garage may not be a safe environment if it's being used for cars: any spills of antifreeze or oil are seriously dangerous to her. Is there any chance of her getting access inside? Have you asked local rescues if there are any schemes to help people on low incomes get vet care?
4. She sounds like she has an upper respiratory infection, and she needs a dental prophylaxis. (Dental cleaning) Clean her eyes, GENTLY, twice a day with a bath cloth that has been soaked in warm salt water (homemade saline solution). Go to the local drug store, look in the vitamins and purchase L-Lysine. You will need to give 250mg twice a day for one week. Then once daily for the second week. (This is just what I did. This cat is only 5 years old, so, it wouldn't hurt to call the area vets to see if they agree. But, it did cure his cold!) Lysine is salty, so crushing it up and adding it to soft can food should still be quite tasty for her. It comes in a tasty gel at the vets, also. Here is a link. It is also possible you can buy this same gel on the internet. http://www.ehow.com/facts_5665538_l_lysine-dose-cats.html She still really needs to see a vet. I don't like it that you've let her stay sick for this long. But, I completely understand the money situation. Just remember, any advice you receive on here, its still a good idea to call NUMEROUS vets and ask them. It never hurts to get second and even third opinions. Look into pet insurance or Care Credit. These will be very helpful! If you don't qualify, start a savings for the cat. Put aside a few dollars from every paycheck so you can have money to get her a yearly checkup and vaccines. Some vets allow payments and/or held checks. Be sure to check that out. If one vet says no, then find another. I'm very proud that you are wanting to help this cat. Never give up and don't let money be an issue. Cats can live to be 20 years old. We have a cat patient that is currently 22!!!
5. Well if your cat was a persian cat then that is called a brachaphcelic cat. (BRach-uh-fuh-sal-lik) Persian cats tend to have respitory problems, and have "eye boogers" (gross!) you could of prevented this (if it is a persian), by wiping its eyes because a brachaphcelic cat or dog has its face pushed in which means its windpipe may to too short to reach its mouth or nose. if this is not a persian we're talking about then...I'm deeply sorry but to let it out of pain is to...put it down. Very, Very, sorry and I wish you and Pumpkin well. PS: The reason why she got agitated by the hay is because the smell and dust it gives out and it is a brachaphcelic cat. Put it down, and save its pain and misery. Refusing to put it down is (im sorry but) selfish that you believe that it can still live in pain and agitation!