11/6 Doodle (it's emphysema)

[Michelle and Doodle]

I took Doodle to the vet this morning. His BG was 400 and he was snorting and wheezing and blowing
spit bubbles the whole way - it wasn't pretty, and I was a little panicked -
but his respiratory rate stayed below 30 and they assured me we weren't dealing
with congestive heart failure.

The vet I saw today was usually our secondary vet but from now on will be our
primary. She looked down his throat and up his nose and did x-rays and
bloodwork, etc...
She was able to show me a side by side comparison of the x-rays from a week and
a half ago. She said she has no doubt that this is emphysema rather than asthma
and that it had progressed rather dramatically in a very short time.
The brochiolar pattern is much more prominent and his his
trachea is extremely dialated - which is where the snorting noises are coming
from.

He also has an ear infection and although she didn't think he actually had an
URI she agreed to start him on Baytril - jic.
She strongly supported my choice to start the flovent inhaler and said that it really was
his only chance at this point.

On a positive note, his kidney values were stable (not good but stable) his liver
values are improving and I was able to give my little guy his new inhaler meds with very little stress.
--so yay for that at least.

Our relatives are arriving today so I will probably not post tomorrow or Monday
- unless something significant happens.
Thank you guys so much for being so supportive and loving my Doodle bug.

 

[Ele & Blackie (GA)]

At least you know what you are dealing with and have meds that can help. I'm sending healing vines and prayers for Doodle. I hope his breathing improves.

 

[Jenny and Sue]

Poor Doodle! He's lucky to have such a good bean taking care of him!!!! Hope he feels better!

 

[Linda and Bear Man]

(((MIchelle))) (((Doodle))) I'm so sorry.

I hope that he is able to do well with the inhalers. My Mom had COPD, and she got a lot of relief from those. She did have to be very careful with colds and flus, so I'm glad the vet is on top of things with the Baytril. Sending lots more healing snowflakes and white light to precious Doodle.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

I'm glad you have a diagnosis and I'm even happier you have him started on the inhalers. You do know your Doodlebug!

 

[Jen and Oreo (GA)]

So glad you have a DX and can start treating it. Hope the inhalers start helping Doodle bug soon!

Still sending vines and snowflakes. :YMHUG:

 

[Cyn and Cosmo]

thanks for keeping us updated Michelle.

This vet sounds sharp and pro-active. I don't know anything about emphysema (doodle- were you sneaking smokes in a previous life?) but I hope it's very treatable.

(((Doodle))) extra scritches and gentle hugs to you.

((((michelle)))) hope the relatives are low key and low maintenance!!

 

[Fleapunk]

((((((((Doodlebug))))))))) (((((((((((Michelle)))))))))) (((((((((Secondary Vet. now Primary Vet.)))))))))

Sounds like new, old vet is on the ball and Sooooo happy there's a solid plan in place. I just got an inhaler too, tell Doodles it's not so bad.

 

[mybuddybinks]

sending vineyards of healing to the Bug...

celi & binks

 

[CD and BigMac]

Lots of snowflakes to sweet Doodle. And hugs to you ((((Michelle.))))

 

[Ann & Tess GA]

❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧ ❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧

Sending vines and snowflake so Doodlebug can breathe easier.

❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧ ❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧

 

[OptOut]

I can't believe you let ol'Doodlebutt smoke! Did you allow him to do it in the house or was he a bad boy and snuck out when you weren't looking?

 

[Dyana]

Sending breath all better vines

and healing snowflakes to Doodlebug.

 

[Laurie and Mr Tinkles]

Wow, I've never heard of a cat having emphysema, but kudos to the now-primary vet for figuring it out! I hope the flovent works great for him and he's breathing better very soon, Michelle. Sending healing vines for Doodle!

 

[Blue]

It's always good to know what you're fighting, and it sounds like you are already in a plan to get Doodle feeling better.

 

[Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA)]

Hi Michelle & Doodle, Good that you got a plausible diagnosis and now have the tools to fight Doodle's condition. Lot of vines and snowflakes heading your way this weekend. And positive thoughts, too.

Ella

 

[Roni and Moonie]

(((((Michelle and Doodle)))))--Hoping this will help Doodle and make him feel much better--Giant green Healing Vines, Hugs & Blizzard of snowflakes to our fav Doodle bug :YMHUG:

 

[Michelle and Doodle]

Hmm... He totally could be sneaking out of the house for smokes -- I'm gonna have to have a talk with him! ;-)

Seriously, I do wonder though if it was the scented clay litter that brought this on. I'm probably gonna kick myself for that whether it is or not... I know plenty of people use it, but I just started using it a couple of months ago. And now here we are...

I don't even know if that could cause it - it's just sorta like the feeling I had when he first got diagnosed with diabetes and I found out how bad dry food was.
Blech!!

 

[Jen and Oreo (GA)]

(((Michelle))) (((Doodle))), I know you will do what's best!

 

[OptOut]

Aww, Michelle. I don't think "anything" caused it so please don't wonder. Unfortunately, poor Doodles is just having a hard time, and when you have a hard time, all sorts of **** goes wrong.

Boo wants to know if he'll get his own little oxygen tank? She gets kind of jealous of new toys.

 

[Deb & Spot]

(((Michelle & Doodle))) Thinking of you guys tonight. Sending loads of white lites to Doodle.

 

[missyandlittlegray]

Scented litter can cause asthma, but I'm not so sure about emphysema. That sounds more like sneaking out for a smoke with the guys to me. Bad boy... I hope the inhaler helps him. Hugs to both of you, and yes, we love him!

 

[jan and Hep and sara (GA)]

Michelle,

That's true at least you have a DX and can go from here. I'm thinking of you guys and sending you positive vines. Hope he is feeling better after the meds take effect.

Have a good time visiting with family.

{{{Michelle and Doodle}}}

 

[Libby and Lucy]

(((((Michelle))))) don't blame yourself. I'm sure you did absolutely nothing wrong, Doodle is just being creative. I think he giggles at making us all run to Google after each new diagnosis.

Lucy found a pair of zippy pants in the laundry today and asked if Doodle can come over to play...

 

[Karrie and Maverick]

You are just giving Doodle Flovent? You should read up on albuterol. Its used in conjunction with flovent to help open the airways to help flovent get into the airways to work. Albuterol is the rescue inhaler too that you can use through the day to help keep the airways open. Flovent is a twice a day thing. Sorry I know I've commented on it in a previous post - just repeating in case you weren't aware that they weren't either/or treatments but used together.

Big hugs.

 

[Nicole and Napoleon]

Prayers and hugs to you and Doodle ((((hugs)))). As the others have said at least you have a diagnosis now and that is the first step to treatment. Take care.

 

[Pat+Raja+Shadow (GA)]

I looked up some possible causes...
The small breathing tubes (bronchi and bronchioles) can react to a number of stimuli, such as:
1. Inhaled debris or irritants - dust from cat litter, cigarette smoke, perfume or hairspray, carpet fresheners, and perfumes in laundry detergent
2. Pollens or mold
3. Infectious agents - viruses, bacteria
4. Parasites - heartworms, lungworms

My Mom also had COPD and used the Flovent and Albuterol. Maybe get rid of perfumes, scented candles, etc in the house. Glad you are using the Flovent now...and happy you found a vet you like.
Sending healing vines and a ton of snowflakes for Doodlebug....be good for your Mama, Doodle....we are sending you both hugs today... :YMHUG: :YMHUG: (hope your weekend is serene with quiet happy guests....) :razz:

 

[Hillary & Maui (GA)]

At least you know what he has and you know how to treat this. When I listened to the video, I knew there was something way off. Using both flovent and albuterol will definitely help him breathe easier.

and if you need a cheap place to buy flovent (flixotide) it's http://www.4cnrs-asthma-allergy.com/flovent.html

And if you tell them you're part of the feline asthma group - there may be an additional discount.

I've ordered from here without issue.

 

[Michelle and Mannie (GA)]

I am glad that you now have a diagnosis. I hope the meds will help Doodle. I think they will. Mannie and I send as many healing vines as we can find.

 

[melinda and talbot]

Sending lots of healing vines to Doodle.

I'm sure nothing you did caused this. I would think some cats, like people, are genetically a little more predisposed to emphysema.

Pat mentioned perfumes in laundry detergent. I use an unscented detergent and then double rinse my sheets and blankets since my cats spend so much time in and on the sheets. I also do this with any blankets they lay on in the family room. It's probably a small thing but I do it anyway.

Hope Doodle feels better soon with his medication. (((Michelle)))

 

[Jill & Alex (GA)]

(((((michelle and doodle)))))
:YMHUG: :YMHUG: :YMHUG:

 

[Traci and Boomer]

I was going to suggest 4 Corners too. I just ordered 3 inhalers for Merlin - the more you buy, the lower the price. It's a huge savings to get it from there as opposed to a regular pharmacy. It took about two weeks (at least) to get here because it comes from New Zealand. Just be aware it takes a while. I'd get the albuteral too for crisis situations. This is cheap and can be purchased for about $9 at Target.