Newly diagnosed asthma and possible nasal obstruction.

[Jjohnson6240]

Hello everyone. First off I'm new and would like to say how much I love this forum and am so thankful I found it. My cat Oreo who will be 17 in Oct was recently diagnosed with asthma from his chest xray and also a possible nasal or throat polyp or instruction due to the way he wheeze which the vets call stridor. Here is his background. He's always been healthy. This last year he lost a lot of weight even though he was eating. He would sometimes cough but I thought it was a hairball. He acted normal, still playing and chasing the younger cats around. He was 16 but acted like 7. He had a great checkup in Feb but in May he started to have noisy breathing at times but it would go away. I just thought he had a cold or was snoring when he slept. Things got progressively worse and I took him to vet. Xrays showed most likely a fungal infection so had urine test to see what fungus it was so could treat. 2 weeks later test negative. So vet thinks just respiratory infection and puts on antibiotic and prednisolone for the inflammation in his lungs. Next day, he is open mouth breathing, rush to emergency vet. They do new xrays and say most likely asthma but do mention how his noisy breathing (stridor) sounds more upper like from nose or throat. Recommend sedated oral exam. Also discover heart disease so immediately stop prednisolone. Bring him home after he is stable the next day. 2 days later take to vet for followup and he says latest xrays look a lot worse than 2 weeks prior. He also says it's most likely asthma, and prescribes Flovent and ProAir for emergency. He says he agrees with ER vet about it sounding upper but let's see if he improves on the asthma meds. He has not. Went for 2wk followup this past Thurs and saw different vet who specializes more in felines who said he needs a scope to check his nose, throat, and biopsy. She doesn't want to do sedated oral because may not see if something deep. I get it, but I also just spend $2000 in the last month on vets and can't even imagine how much scope will be. I am seeing a new vet for a final opinion and hoping maybe he can do a sedated exam because what if it is just a polyp that's RIGHT there! He can snip and Oreo can finally BREATHE! I am hoping its just a polyp because obviously he does have inflammation in his lungs from the xrays but I find it strange that he is not responding to the steroid inhaler or fast acting. He doesn't have the typical asthma signs. His difficulty is on inhale vs exhale, he hardly ever coughs, his breathing seems to be exacerbated by eating, drinking, purring and he never really has an attack. He just always wheezes. wheeze. I will see what happens on Friday. I know he's old, will be 17 in Oct and had a great life but I don't want to put him down because before all this he was supercat. He still even now can jump up on/off counter no problems or hesitation. But at the same time, as I watch him struggle to breathe and cry because I can't help him, I know I have to do what's best for him because he cannot continue like this. I just need to know for sure what is wrong because what if it can be treated. Anyone have a similar experience with their furbaby?

He also swallows a lot.

 

[FeebysOwner]

I don't suppose they did x-rays of his skull to see if anything showed up in them?? Although, for the most part at least some form of a sedative is required. At least that might have identified something for them. Perhaps that would help in terms of being done at the same time as an oral exam? As far as the inflammation in his lungs - has anyone suggested a different antibiotic for that? Maybe the one he got was not the most effective, or not administered long enough?

P.S. My cat is 18+ yo and has health issues but as far as I am concerned, she 'ain't done' yet!!!

 

[Jjohnson6240]

I don't suppose they did x-rays of his skull to see if anything showed up in them?? Although, for the most part at least some form of a sedative is required. At least that might have identified something for them. Perhaps that would help in terms of being done at the same time as an oral exam? As far as the inflammation in his lungs - has anyone suggested a different antibiotic for that? Maybe the one he got was not the most effective, or not administered long enough?

P.S. My cat is 18+ yo and has health issues but as far as I am concerned, she 'ain't done' yet!!!

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

I don't have any experience with any of the issues you are writing about, but when you mentioned they discovered heart disease, is he now being treated for that. I know that can cause issues with breathing, depending on exactly what the issue is. If it's a murmur, then probably not. I agree with FeebysOwner that it's possible if it's a bacterial infection, the wrong antibiotic has been used, or not used for long enough. I read that the most common cause for stridor in cats is either bacterial infection or foreign object somewhere in the airway. But I also read that a Vet should be able to ascertain WHERE along the airway it is be using a stethoscope and listening for certain things depending on whether the cats mouth is open, closed, etc. Kind of how they how already said it "sounding upper".

I don't quite understand why someone suggested they could go deeper with a non sedated scope. Am I misinterpreting that? But I also don't understand why not do a head xray if they think there may be a blockage somewhere in the nasal passage or throat. When he open mouth breathes, it his breathing better? If so, then I would think it might be something in his nose. If not, then I wouldn't suspect the nasal passages, but I'm no doctor. What about his meows? Have they changed? I also read that sometimes if it's something to do with their larnyx they lose their meows. That could narrow things down. All that said, still doesn't account for the lungs, so I'm still wondering if it's some infection that just hasn't been "fixed" ? What happens next Friday? A different Vet? Keep us posted

 

[Jjohnson6240]

Wow, 18! That's wonderful to hear. That's how I feel about my Oreo. Before all of this, you would never know his age. That is a very good idea about the skull xrays which they did not do. I am going to ask the vet about that. The ER vet prescribed a different antibiotic than the Orbax he was put on a day prior. I didn't get a chance to ask why but when I went for the followup to a new vet (Long story but my regular vet clinic of 10yrs changed ownership and there have been some issues with misdiagnosis and this was the last straw because the vet assured me it was fungal and because of that Oreo had no treatment for 2 weeks while waiting on test results, so that was it for me). So new vet said the Orbax is a really good one and that's what he would have prescribed so since I'm having a lot of trouble giving this new one and its twice daily vs once and the Orbax is flavored vs nasty, I can go back to it. So maybe that was a bad call. I will ask about the antibiotic and xray. I don't want him to suffer, I have asthma myself so I know how hard it is not to be able to breathe, but I don't want to make a decision until I know he's not going to improve and I think he has a great chance with proper diagnosis and treatment. Something that has made me wonder though. He's indoor and hadn't been to vet for few years cause he's always been fine. I decided to take him in Feb for wellness because of his age and wanting to make sure his heart, labs, everything ok, or to catch something early. Vet said his labs were excellent for his age and other than his low weight 7lbs and dental disease he was in great shape for a 16yr old. 2 months later he starts wheezing on and off and getting worse. Could the vet visit have triggered something or could be have caught something there??? Could be unrelated but does make we wonder. I'll let you know what happens on Friday. Thank you for your reply

 

[Jjohnson6240]

I don't have any experience with any of the issues you are writing about, but when you mentioned they discovered heart disease, is he now being treated for that. I know that can cause issues with breathing, depending on exactly what the issue is. If it's a murmur, then probably not. I agree with FeebysOwner that it's possible if it's a bacterial infection, the wrong antibiotic has been used, or not used for long enough. I read that the most common cause for stridor in cats is either bacterial infection or foreign object somewhere in the airway. But I also read that a Vet should be able to ascertain WHERE along the airway it is be using a stethoscope and listening for certain things depending on whether the cats mouth is open, closed, etc. Kind of how they how already said it "sounding upper".

I don't quite understand why someone suggested they could go deeper with a non sedated scope. Am I misinterpreting that? But I also don't understand why not do a head xray if they think there may be a blockage somewhere in the nasal passage or throat. When he open mouth breathes, it his breathing better? If so, then I would think it might be something in his nose. If not, then I wouldn't suspect the nasal passages, but I'm no doctor. What about his meows? Have they changed? I also read that sometimes if it's something to do with their larnyx they lose their meows. That could narrow things down. All that said, still doesn't account for the lungs, so I'm still wondering if it's some infection that just hasn't been "fixed" ? What happens next Friday? A different Vet? Keep us posted

 

[Jjohnson6240]

Thank you. ALL great points. He never really breathes full open mouth just a tiny tiny bit for a short while and he still has the stridor but again his mouth is barely open. However, when I rushed him to ER vet because he was full open mouth and drooling, NO I did not hear any stridor or wheezing so that is quite interesting suggesting nose like you said. He does not have a heart murmur, his heart looks normal on xray, but his heart enzymes were high so she put him on Benzapril for that.
The vet in the ER said they can do a light sedative and use some kind of hook to pull up the tissue so can see back of throat and then also take a peak in nose but that would only show if something was right there and not deep. That would be a start instead of an expensive scope and I wouldn't have to wait for an appointment. I will see what the new vet says and ask about the antibiotics and skull xrays. Thank you so much for the advice. Will update Friday.

 

[Jjohnson6240]

It's been a rough week. Oreo was really bad on Monday. Lots of trouble breathing. I sat on the kitchen floor in the middle of the night and just broke down while telling him it would be ok. I almost drove him to ER vet to euthanize because I didn't want him to suffer. But, he settled down after a while and I've just kept a close eye on him all week.

He finally saw the new vet today. He thinks it all has to do with his lungs since his xrays 2 weeks after the initial ones showed more inflammation and with that his wheezing/stridor increased. Is it possible he has nasal or throat obstruction, yes, but he wants to try depo-medrol shot first because the Flovent inhaler we've been using doesn't "really GET IN" to the lungs as well as the shot. He wasn't concerned with Oreo's heart even though his enzymes were elevated. Said he has a strong heartbeat and no murmur so doesn't feel the injection would hurt him, especially since all his other labs look amazing. Also, said definitely doesn't need antibiotic because there is no sign of any infection from the lab values. I am supposed to call him on Tues with an update. If this doesn't knock it out then he will sedate Oreo and do an oral exam but wants to do that last because any sedation for a cat his age is hard on them.

I will update him and you all on Tuesday with Oreo's progress. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this shot will help and not hurt him, because I have read horror stories about it, but I need to try.
Thank you for reading and letting me share.

 

[Jjohnson6240]

He also said an xray wouldn't show what we need to see and Oreo would need a CT instead which I can't afford so there goes that.

 

[FeebysOwner]

I think you have gotten as good of advice as anyone can expect. Go with the vet's advice, unless there is something 'gut wise' telling you not to. Sometimes, their advice - as long as you feel comfortable with it - is all you have. What the vet is suggesting is not extreme, from my layperson's opinion. Go Oreo and you!! I know you will keep us posted.

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

This sounds like a good plan. It's certainly worth a try , especially since you were so worried about him suffering you were almost to the point of euthanasia . So has he already gotten the Depo shot? If so, are you noticing any improvements yet? I sure hope this works and he gets some relief quickly.

 

[Jjohnson6240]

This sounds like a good plan. It's certainly worth a try , especially since you were so worried about him suffering you were almost to the point of euthanasia . So has he already gotten the Depo shot? If so, are you noticing any improvements yet? I sure hope this works and he gets some relief quickly.

Yes he received it yesterday and he does seem to have improved a tiny bit. His wheezing isn't as loud and it doesn't last as long. Before, it took about 15min for it to calm down and now its about 7-10. No negative side effects. Hopeful he'll continue to improve.

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

Yes he received it yesterday and he does seem to have improved a tiny bit. His wheezing isn't as loud and it doesn't last as long. Before, it took about 15min for it to calm down and now its about 7-10. No negative side effects. Hopeful he'll continue to improve.

This sounds promising. Keeping fingers crossed that he continues improving

 

[Jjohnson6240]

The Depo-Medrol shot WORKED!!! Oreo is SO much better. He no longer wheezes/stridor when purring and being petted. He doesn't wheeze after just walking a few steps either. He looks and sounds like a new cat. He does still wheeze while eating and after but only for a very very short while and it's a quieter wheeze, a little stridor with kind of a snort. I am still wondering if he may possibly have a polyp in his throat along with the lung inflammation but we'll look into that later if he doesn't completely stop wheezing. Right now, I feel like I can finally breathe because my little boy is going to make it to his 17th bday. I am so thankful for this vet because without him Oreo would never have improved. Sometimes just getting down to the basics and trying what's worked for years is the best thing. Thank you all for reading and your support and advice. Will update in a week.

 

[Jjohnson6240]

My sleeping boy finally able to breathe

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

Such good news!

 

[Jjohnson6240]

Today Oreo crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Even though he drastically improved by the 18th, he started to have problems again not even a full week later. This time the noise he was making while breathing was more of a snoring/snorting especially aggravated by eating. It wasn't as bad when he purred, almost seemed to help him and he would sound normal. But he could barely eat because when he did he couldn't breathe. The vet that gave him the steroid shot changed his mind and felt he wouldn't be able to see what he needed without a scope so I almost gave up, but by a miraculous chance I found a cat specialist vet who scoped him today. Had to wait, she was on vacation. After a thorough exam she warned me she felt it was a laryngeal tumor which is almost always cancerous but hoped for the best. Said his lung issues were definitely secondary due to the upper airway obstruction/disease. She did a light sedation and unfortunately found that he did indeed have a laryngeal mass which was causing laryngeal paralysis. His airway opening was the size of a tiny tiny straw. I had her let him go while still sedated. I said my goodbyes earlier because I had to wait about 2 hrs with him. She said he didn't really have much time left and would have passed in a week or 2 from suffocation. So, his story comes to an end. He lived a great life. I did all I could to make sure there were no other options. I miss my baby so much but he's no longer suffering.

 

[AbbysMom]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

[fionasmom]

I am very sorry to read this. Your last few sentences express so eloquently Oreo's story. He is a beautiful boy who lived a wonderful life with you and when the time came you made the most difficult, but kindest decision you could.

 

[betsygee]

So very sorry to read the news about Oreo. We’ll close the thread now, out of respect for your loss, and invite you to post a tribute to your sweet boy in our Crossing the Bridge forum.