Re: Smokey is Coughing
Hi Dee, I did a quick Google and found the following site that talks about what's "normal" for cats. http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/diseasesconditionsfaqs/tp/TP_catfacts.htm It says the respiratory rate should be 16-40 breaths per minute. That's a pretty wide range. If he's just had one of his coughing jags, it would of course be higher. I would check him when he seems to be resting comfortably. I don't know why your vet would be concerned about "easing" him into interferon or Lysine. Neither one of those should cause him any side effects. He's been on Dox for 5 days, you should have seen some improvement by now, have you? Do you know for a fact that he indeed has Hemobart? The labored breathing thing is really scary to watch. The only thing I've heard that is good for that is setting up an oxygen carrier. What's going on with that cough? I'm sorry if you've answered this before, but what does your vet attribute that to? I hadn't heard about Hemobart causing respiratory symptoms. Prayers and good thoughts to you and Smokey, Nina Dee & Evan wrote: Smokey started his Doxy regiment last Wednesday for his Hemobart. I started him on his Interferon this morning (Sunday). The vet suggested I ease him into each regiment one at a time so if he has any symptoms we may be able to pinpoint which regiment caused the problems. I am hoping to start him on the Lysine this week. However, I am still worried about his breathing. At times he seems to have labored breathing and at other times it seems to be better...but still not great. However, I have noticed on at least three different times within the past week that he has had a coughing fit that takes him a while to cease. It seems to be a "true" cough, not a hairball cough. He has no discharge from his nose or eyes. Does anyone know what is a cat's normal respiratory rate? The vet wanted him to come in any way in about 5 to 7 days from when he started the Doxy to do some blood work (this Tuesday). But I don't know if it would be better for him to wait due to the stress of the travel to the vet or if it would be better to take him in right away due to his coughing & breathing. I know any stress can make the virus do more damage. Does anyone have any advice to lend me? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. ~Dee
Re: Smokey is Coughing (my cat's respiratory rates)
Miranda is 21 (asleep) Tigger is 21 (resting and looking at me) Tang is 49 (freaking about because I was hovering over him) Mythic is 28 (resting, best I could count with him scratching and wiggling) Doobie is 51 (he associates me with food, so he was sniffing for food the whole time and meowing) Bones wouldn't shut up and be still long enough for me to count, but it was about 1 meow per second or two). Phaewryn Please adopt a cat from Little Cheetah Cat Rescue!!! http://ucat.us/adopt.html Low cost Spay&Neuter services in VT, and Emergency Financial Assistance for cat owners:http://ucat.us/VermontLowCost.htmlSpecial Needs Cat Resources: http://ucat.us/domesticcatlinks.html The Sofa Poem: http://ucat.us/sofapoem.html Please shop online through i-give and support the Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program:http://www.igive.com/FVEAP Shop at GREAT stores, like Drs. Foster & Smith, Pet Food Direct, Musician's Friend, and LOTS more!It doesn't cost you a single penny more, and it makes so much difference to a sick cat in need! No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.11.6/428 - Release Date: 8/25/2006
Re: Smokey is Coughing
Ask for them to try getting a different view this time. I'd seriously consider hospitalizing him for IV antibiotics, if he doesn't respond to the oral ones by Thursday or Friday. Phaewryn Please adopt a cat from Little Cheetah Cat Rescue!!! http://ucat.us/adopt.html Low cost Spay&Neuter services in VT, and Emergency Financial Assistance for cat owners:http://ucat.us/VermontLowCost.htmlSpecial Needs Cat Resources: http://ucat.us/domesticcatlinks.html The Sofa Poem: http://ucat.us/sofapoem.html Please shop online through i-give and support the Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program:http://www.igive.com/FVEAP Shop at GREAT stores, like Drs. Foster & Smith, Pet Food Direct, Musician's Friend, and LOTS more!It doesn't cost you a single penny more, and it makes so much difference to a sick cat in need! No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.11.6/428 - Release Date: 8/25/2006
Re: Smokey is Coughing
I think any respiratory distress calls for a chest x-ray, personally. Better safe than sorry. Phaewryn Please adopt a cat from Little Cheetah Cat Rescue!!! http://ucat.us/adopt.html Low cost Spay&Neuter services in VT, and Emergency Financial Assistance for cat owners:http://ucat.us/VermontLowCost.htmlSpecial Needs Cat Resources: http://ucat.us/domesticcatlinks.html The Sofa Poem: http://ucat.us/sofapoem.html Please shop online through i-give and support the Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program:http://www.igive.com/FVEAP Shop at GREAT stores, like Drs. Foster & Smith, Pet Food Direct, Musician's Friend, and LOTS more!It doesn't cost you a single penny more, and it makes so much difference to a sick cat in need! No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.11.6/428 - Release Date: 8/25/2006
Re: Smokey is Coughing
I've never heard of coughing being related to either treatment. I really don't know. I hope Smokey is feeling better soon. tonyaDee & Evan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Smokey started his Doxy regiment last Wednesday for his Hemobart. I started him on his Interferon this morning (Sunday). The vet suggested I ease him into each regiment one at a time so if he has any symptoms we may be able to pinpoint which regiment caused the problems. I am hoping to start him on the Lysine this week. However, I am still worried about his breathing. At times he seems to have labored breathing and at other times it seems to be better...but still not great. However, I have noticed on at least three different times within the past week that he has had a coughing fit that takes him a while to cease. It seems to be a "true" cough, not a hairball cough. He has no discharge from his nose or eyes. Does anyone know what is a cat's normal respiratory rate? The vet wanted him to come in any way in about 5 to 7 days from when he started the Doxy to do some blood work (this Tuesday). But I don't know if it would be better for him to wait due to the stress of the travel to the vet or if it would be better to take him in right away due to his coughing & breathing. I know any stress can make the virus do more damage. Does anyone have any advice to lend me? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.~Dee
RE: Smokey is Coughing
http://www.alohapetservices.com/pet_cpr.html Hi Dee I did a quick net search and found this (see para below) from the website above, but i don't know how authoritative it is. I recall counting my healthy cat's rate and it being in the 30s or even higher, I *think*. Do you have any other cats that you can use as a check? Maybe someone who's at home right now cd count a healthy cat for you and report back? (I'm at work) I do know that when there was a serious problem, it was very obvious to me that their breathing was abnormal--it was the breathing that alerted me in fact. But recently, I thought my foster cat was breathing dangerously fast, but it slowed down, so i put it down to stress, or racing around my apartment. Personally, I would take Smokey for his appointment and just do my best to soothe him/minimize the stress involved. Sending lots of positive healing vibes for Smokey, Kerry M. Your pets' breathing is another vital indicator of your pet's health. You can visually or manually check your pet's breathing. Place your hand on the side of the chest or watch for the rise and fall of the chest; count the rises or the falls for 30 seconds and double this number to get breaths per minute. The quality and character of your pet's breathing should be rhythmic, easy and smooth while at rest. The breathing rate for dogs is 10-30 breaths per minute. Cats breathe approximately 20-30 breaths per minute. Record the normal breathing rate for your pet. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dee & Evan Sent: Sunday, August 27, 2006 9:11 PM To: Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org Subject: Smokey is Coughing Smokey started his Doxy regiment last Wednesday for his Hemobart. I started him on his Interferon this morning (Sunday). The vet suggested I ease him into each regiment one at a time so if he has any symptoms we may be able to pinpoint which regiment caused the problems. I am hoping to start him on the Lysine this week. However, I am still worried about his breathing. At times he seems to have labored breathing and at other times it seems to be better...but still not great. However, I have noticed on at least three different times within the past week that he has had a coughing fit that takes him a while to cease. It seems to be a "true" cough, not a hairball cough. He has no discharge from his nose or eyes. Does anyone know what is a cat's normal respiratory rate? The vet wanted him to come in any way in about 5 to 7 days from when he started the Doxy to do some blood work (this Tuesday). But I don't know if it would be better for him to wait due to the stress of the travel to the vet or if it would be better to take him in right away due to his coughing & breathing. I know any stress can make the virus do more damage. Does anyone have any advice to lend me? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. ~Dee IRS CIRCULAR 230 NOTICE. Any advice expressed above as to tax matters was neither written nor intended by the sender or Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP to be used and cannot be used by any taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties that may be imposed under U.S. tax law. If any person uses or refers to any such tax advice in promoting, marketing or recommending a partnership or other entity, investment plan or arrangement to any taxpayer, then (i) the advice was written to support the promotion or marketing (by a person other than Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP) of that transaction or matter, and (ii) such taxpayer should seek advice based on the taxpayers particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor This email and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail.
Re: Smokey is Coughing
Hi Dee, I am stumped as to what could be causing Smokey's coughing and labored breathing still. I have no idea what the normal respiratory rate is for a kitty. Let me know if you find out and I'll add it to the sick kitty manual. Is he still coughing today? Do you really feel that it's something serious? You might have to go with your gut on this one. Coughing doesn't sound too serios to me, generally, but it would depend on how it sounded. Also, since Smokey is on an antibiotic, I would think it would help any other infections he may have, like a URI. Maybe time will help you to make the decision on whether or not to take him in sooner. Prayers going to to Smokey. Please keep us posted. :) Wendy __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
Re: Smokey is Coughing
Michelle, Yes, he had X-Rays done of his lungs about one week ago. The only thing the vet told me is that it looked like fluffy cotton, which indicated slight pnuemonia. ~Dee
Re: Smokey is Coughing
Has he been x-rayed and/or ultrasounded to see if there are any masses near his lungs, i.e. lymphoma? Not to scare you, but it should probably be checked. Michelle
