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- Feb 10, 2020
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My cat Pimento (6.5 y.o) was diagnosed by one vet with mild asthma two years ago. The diagnosis was made based on her watching videos of his cough episodes and discussing their frequency. Pimento was having brief cough episodes maybe a few times (4-5) a month. The treatment was an injection of DepoMedrol (Prednisolone steroid) which took the cough completely away for several months.
This has been the case now for two years. The injection is entirely effective for normally 3/4 months before he starts coughing again and goes in for another injection. At one point I asked the vet for an X-ray and it showed quite a bit of inflammation to the lungs and airway.
Long story short, Pimento is coughing again (It’s been 3 months since his last shot) and I feel hesitant to administer yet another DepoMedrol injection because of the possible long term side effects such as diabetes. My vet has touched on these side effects, but says cats can tolerate steroids well and continues administering the injection as our treatment anyway. I do trust this vet and know they love my cat a ton. Maybe they continue this treatment because the frequency were at is safe? It amounts to around 4 injections a year at this rate.
Some users here have positive experience with Inhalers, but I don’t know if Pimento’s case warrants an inhaler, which is probably why we haven’t gone there yet. Like I said, he coughs a few times a month after the steroid wears off and then I’ll take him for a new injection. He exercises with no problems and lung/breathing sounds are clear. It doesn’t seem super severe but I of course worry for him. Any advice? Thanks in advance
This has been the case now for two years. The injection is entirely effective for normally 3/4 months before he starts coughing again and goes in for another injection. At one point I asked the vet for an X-ray and it showed quite a bit of inflammation to the lungs and airway.
Long story short, Pimento is coughing again (It’s been 3 months since his last shot) and I feel hesitant to administer yet another DepoMedrol injection because of the possible long term side effects such as diabetes. My vet has touched on these side effects, but says cats can tolerate steroids well and continues administering the injection as our treatment anyway. I do trust this vet and know they love my cat a ton. Maybe they continue this treatment because the frequency were at is safe? It amounts to around 4 injections a year at this rate.
Some users here have positive experience with Inhalers, but I don’t know if Pimento’s case warrants an inhaler, which is probably why we haven’t gone there yet. Like I said, he coughs a few times a month after the steroid wears off and then I’ll take him for a new injection. He exercises with no problems and lung/breathing sounds are clear. It doesn’t seem super severe but I of course worry for him. Any advice? Thanks in advance