12/21 Doodles AMPS 315 +2 304 +4 327 +7 267 PMPS 237 / Asthma DX

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:bighug:
Keeping you and Doodles in my thoughts and prayers. Give him a chin scratch and a kiss from me and Gizmo. :kiss: Vetty vines.
 
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Praying for the cardio visit........
 
Vines for winter solstice and for magic to go from stinky pink to blues and greens. And good day at cardio. ❤️
 
His mouth has been open this morning and obviously his bg's are crap but otherwise seems OK. My gut doesn't feel good about it so bringing my meter and some food just to have it. Glad we're going...poor boy.

If nothing shows on the xray is it to much to expect an answer as to "why" his mouth is open and that he DOES cough even when they say cats don't cough?
 
Plenty of room to head down a bit there Doodles, we've had the pink tu-tu discussion before. Hope all goes well at the IM this AM, keeping you and Doodles in our thoughts.
 
Doodles good luck with your visite to the doctor today, Babu ( his sisters ) and me we are all praying there are good news

Sending you lots of hugs and kisses :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Good news is the cardio vet did not see any fluid nor any indication that there has been fluid. His heart is basically the same but he did indicate Asthma. Because of the HCM/CHF he cannot be treated with the asthma meds such as prednisone (which I wouldn't anyway) or any of the inhalers. Pred will worsen the heart and the inhalers speed the heart rate which we can't have either.

So moving forward we're adding a cough suppressant which is the narcotic Hydrocodone. Reducing / eliminating the coughing will stop limit additional lung damage. We'll start with 1.25mg once a day before bed for maintenance. It can be given every 8 hours if needed or can be reduced per my discretion and frequency of the coughing.

We'll do the once a day for a week and the good news is he wants to reduce the Lasik back to 30mg BID (down from 37.5 BID)

It's probably the best news the boy could've gotten with all circumstances. He also assured me although we still only have months left with Doodles at best, it's unlikely he'll go any sooner than his already guarded prognosis has indicated. Since hydrocodone is a level 2 controlled substance I have to bring the prescription to Diamondback in person and wait for it so hopefully the boy will continue surfing and I can go tomorrow.

Many thanks for all the vines, prayers and continued support :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Glad it isn't heart related. Not great with the asthma dx, but at least there is a plan for treatment. Doodles may become more agressive on the hydrocodone (lol, I do when I take it for my migraines). Glad the lasik dosage is being reduced also. :bighug:
 
Wow. I am happy you had a good appointment with some answers. I hope the new meds work!!! :bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
While this is probably good news considering the circumstances, I just can't believe that poor Doodles was diagnosed with asthma and that you will have to juggle yet another medical condition. I am so sorry! Fingers crossed that the new meds and will put a stop to his scary coughing episodes.
 
Sorry to hear about the asthma dx, however really glad to know they didn't find fluid and also that you can reduce the Lasix.
Hoping that the hydrocodone does the trick and you and Doodles will get some relief from those coughing spells.
 
I'm not a doomsayer but I am saddened to hear Doodles has Asthma too:arghh: I am glad it isn't heart related! What is the hydrocodone for ? Pain? I'm sorry Doodlebug that your in pain:arghh::arghh::arghh::cat:

What about the rescue (Alburetol) that is to open his airways. I know you mentioned it increases heart rate and you don't want that, but what about a quick short burst just enough to open the airways? Emergency only....

I am no way trying to tell you how to treat his asthma. I can only say the last 6-7 years with Fritz has been no darn picnic.

Yes Carol is right that Hydrocodone is constipating and mood swings are part of it too.

Wonder if the Asthma Nosode & Kudzu Releasing Liquid would help with the Asthma?

My heart goes out to you:bighug::bighug::bighug: your doing the very best you can......:bighug:
 
DebG said:
I'm not a doomsayer but I am saddened to hear Doodles has Asthma too:arghh: I am glad it isn't heart related! What is the hydrocodone for
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It's not good Deb on top of the heart issues since we can't treat it. The hydrocodone is being used as a cough suppressant to eliminate further lung damage and prevent the harsh contractions/stress that come a long with it. Apparently it will help him rest, hopefully by resting breath easier. Just not sure how often I want a sedate cat so we'll see how it goes. His QOL continues to be a big concern. Dr. Church was pretty adamant that his heart cannot tolerate the puffer or steroids.

DebG said:
Wonder if the Asthma Nosode & Kudzu Releasing Liquid would help with the Asthma?
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I will look that up and send an email. Never heard of it...all new to me :eek:
 
could a air filteration system help? cleaner air easier on his lungs... just throwing out an idea... happy to hear the heart isnt getting worse... prayers and vines that the meds allow you to reduce the lasik :bighug::bighug::bighug: keep fighting along side your bean Doodles
 
Great news on being able to reduce the Lasix and that there is no fluid build up around the heart. I wonder if some air purifiers and being careful with candles/scents might help reduce the number of occurrences of the asthma. The hydrocodone will also help if he is in any pain in addition to acting as a cough suppressant which should help QOL some, but like you said, don't want him to get too spaced out.
Tell Doodles no more smoking in the house!
 
Lincolns Mom said:
could a air filteration system help? cleaner air easier on his lungs
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Not to sound pessimistic but we live in the desert. Even with doors/windows closed there is always dust and no filtration system will help not to mention the cost associated with it. We change all the air filters in the house every 4 months because of the dust/dirt. I do my best to "dust" with just vinegar & water, no house hold products etc.

saltycat said:
I wonder if some air purifiers and being careful with candles/scents might help reduce the number of occurrences of the asthma.
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I haven't had candles in over a year. Heck I don't even use hairspray or perfume anymore and limit make-up because it's listed as an allergen for him. Sunblock is fragrance free and the list goes on and on and one.
 
Glad to hear it's not fluid. Smokey had the heart issues and the IM put him on albuterol inhaler. They also wanted the steroid inhaler but regular vet said no. Cardiologist was okay with the albuterol, it certainly stopped his coughing when he started.
 
Woodsywife said:
Cardiologist was okay with the albuterol, it certainly stopped his coughing when he started.
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At this point all we have and have had since March is "bought-time" and my box of options are empty. His cardiologist is the only one I trust and if I stop trusting him we have nothing. I plan to be very conservative with the hydrocodone as it does scare me a bit.
 
I believe hydrocodone is generic for codeine. Codeine does suppress cough but it's not a treatment for asthma. It can slow or stop breathing.

FYI from drugs.com

You should not use hydrocodone if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

  • severe asthma or breathing problems; or

  • a bowel obstruction called paralytic ileus.
 
I'm glad it's not his heart, but sorry you have another condition to deal with. I hope the new med will help his coughing. Sending prayers. :bighug::bighug:
 
Woodsywife said:
does suppress cough but it's not a treatment for asthma
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That's the thing, we can't treat the asthma. Steroids and inhalers are the only way to "treat" asthma which he can't have. The hydrocodone is being used to keep him comfortable if/when needed at my discretion. It tells the brain not to cough which lessons distress/pain for him and damage to the lungs. The outlook is not good for my boy. The other option is to give nothing. We're pushed into a corner that there is no way out of. If I feel the meds are making him worse or if he starts having more bad breathing days then good we'll have to set him free.

If it was just asthma we'd treat with the steroids and or the inhaler.
 
Karen

I was going to suggest you ask Dr. Church about possibly using an antihistamine like Atarax (Hydroxyzine) but I was just checking and it is contraindicated in heart disease. I used it very successfully in my cat with asthma when theophylline didn't work and I didn't want to turn to steroids yet.

We also added in Standard Process Allerplex and then took her off the atarax and she never coughed again. It might be something to run by Dr. C. He could call our vet, Dr. Burgess, if he wanted more info on Allerplex since he knows Dr. B well and she is an expert on the SP line. I use it for Tobey who had a bad URI as a kitten and can get pretty stuffy headed without it. I also gave it to Gracie and it did not affect her BG.

I'm glad the news with his heart is good because it's stable!
 
(((Karen))) I'm glad to hear the good news that Doodles heart is stable and hope the new meds keep him comfortable. You are doing everything possible, and more, for your sweet boy, under very difficult circumstances. Praying for you both to have many good QOL days ahead. :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
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