7/12 Mikey w/bronchitis/vet gave prednisolone 5mg, Thoughts?
- Thread starter miso00
- Start date
- Status
Ann & Maggie11 (GA)
Member Since 2010
Re: 7/12 Mikey w/bronchitis/vet gave prednisolone 5mg, Thoug
Hi, I know that Tarragon (Melissa) has asthma and and is on prednisone. You might check with her today. I hope you also get some other feedback. Sending some feel better vines for Mikey. How is he doing today, eating okay? I think it can increase the appy.
Hi, I know that Tarragon (Melissa) has asthma and and is on prednisone. You might check with her today. I hope you also get some other feedback. Sending some feel better vines for Mikey. How is he doing today, eating okay? I think it can increase the appy.
Sherry & Zoe (GA)
Member Since 2009
Re: 7/12 Mikey w/bronchitis/vet gave prednisolone 5mg, Thoug
Hi Jenn,
Did Mikey's x-rays show asthma (which can also be called chronic bronchitis) or bronchitis? What made you take him to the vets.....has he been coughing? Is there any fluid build up in his lungs?
There is Flovent, which is an inhaled steroid that doesn't have the systemic side effects of Prednisolone. My Zoe is on Flovent for asthma (and has been for a few years) with no effects to her diabetes.
Sherry
Hi Jenn,
Did Mikey's x-rays show asthma (which can also be called chronic bronchitis) or bronchitis? What made you take him to the vets.....has he been coughing? Is there any fluid build up in his lungs?
There is Flovent, which is an inhaled steroid that doesn't have the systemic side effects of Prednisolone. My Zoe is on Flovent for asthma (and has been for a few years) with no effects to her diabetes.
Sherry
Ann & Maggie11 (GA)
Member Since 2010
Re: 7/12 Mikey w/bronchitis/vet gave prednisolone 5mg, Thoug
Jenn, I'm sorry as you did say bronchitis. Tarragon has asthma but is on pred, so it still may be helpful info from her as to the effect on bg's.
Jenn, I'm sorry as you did say bronchitis. Tarragon has asthma but is on pred, so it still may be helpful info from her as to the effect on bg's.
miso00
Member Since 2011
Re: 7/12 Mikey w/bronchitis/vet gave prednisolone 5mg, Thoug
When I took him in last week for the choking/pawing at his face he ended up with a dental and some rotted roots. Since we don't know his history and he is still looking "uncomfortable" i wanted to get xrays to make sure he didn't have asthma (he has a slight "gurgling" sound, like purring but he doesn't purr) and also to make sure there are no bone fragments or more rotted roots. So the xrays showed bronchitis, not asthma. But I will double check that.
I'm scared to give prednisolone for fear it will kick in his diabetes. Wondering what else I can give? He's also on clovomax for post dental (to ward off infection)
When I took him in last week for the choking/pawing at his face he ended up with a dental and some rotted roots. Since we don't know his history and he is still looking "uncomfortable" i wanted to get xrays to make sure he didn't have asthma (he has a slight "gurgling" sound, like purring but he doesn't purr) and also to make sure there are no bone fragments or more rotted roots. So the xrays showed bronchitis, not asthma. But I will double check that.
I'm scared to give prednisolone for fear it will kick in his diabetes. Wondering what else I can give? He's also on clovomax for post dental (to ward off infection)
Sherry & Zoe (GA)
Member Since 2009
Re: 7/12 Mikey w/bronchitis/vet gave prednisolone 5mg, Thoug
Hi Jenn, (again)!
Here is a quote from http://www.felineasthma.org:
"not all cats with respiratory disease cough but instead have audible throat gurgling, more audible when purring, swallow a lot and often lose their voice."
I first noticed Zoe having a lot of "wet" sounding purrs and swallowing or gulping alot before she ever started with the classic asthma cough....she was diagnosed with asthma by an xray that showed "donuts" and a partially collapsed lung. My vet wanted to give her a depo-medrol shot (steroid) to decrease the inflammation in her lungs and make breathing easier.....I didnot want her to do that because Zoe was OTJ at the time and I wanted nothing given to her that would kick her back into needing insulin, so I understand your fears about that. My wonderful vet sat me down and made me realize that breathing trumps diabetes everytime. I realized she was correct. So if Mikey needs prednisolone to breathe easy, then I wouldn't hesitate to give it to him.
I would double check on the xrays, to be sure it is bronchitis and not asthma....did a radiologist read them?
Either way, asthma or bronchitis...there is some inflammation in his airways.
Sherry
Hi Jenn, (again)!
Here is a quote from http://www.felineasthma.org:
"not all cats with respiratory disease cough but instead have audible throat gurgling, more audible when purring, swallow a lot and often lose their voice."
I first noticed Zoe having a lot of "wet" sounding purrs and swallowing or gulping alot before she ever started with the classic asthma cough....she was diagnosed with asthma by an xray that showed "donuts" and a partially collapsed lung. My vet wanted to give her a depo-medrol shot (steroid) to decrease the inflammation in her lungs and make breathing easier.....I didnot want her to do that because Zoe was OTJ at the time and I wanted nothing given to her that would kick her back into needing insulin, so I understand your fears about that. My wonderful vet sat me down and made me realize that breathing trumps diabetes everytime. I realized she was correct. So if Mikey needs prednisolone to breathe easy, then I wouldn't hesitate to give it to him.
I would double check on the xrays, to be sure it is bronchitis and not asthma....did a radiologist read them?
Either way, asthma or bronchitis...there is some inflammation in his airways.
Sherry
Re: 7/12 Mikey w/bronchitis/vet gave prednisolone 5mg, Thoug
I think getting sorted out whether this is bronchitis or asthma is important. You may need a referral to an internal medicine vet.
I don't mean to frighten you but if this is asthma, left untreated it can be very dangerous. Mikey has to breathe. It's not the worst thing to have Mikey on insulin if that's the result of giving the pred if it means that Mikey is able to breathe. There are lots of kitties here who are on steroids for various conditions and they get insulin. There's also no reason to think that being on pred means that Mikey's BG will rise.
I think getting sorted out whether this is bronchitis or asthma is important. You may need a referral to an internal medicine vet.
I don't mean to frighten you but if this is asthma, left untreated it can be very dangerous. Mikey has to breathe. It's not the worst thing to have Mikey on insulin if that's the result of giving the pred if it means that Mikey is able to breathe. There are lots of kitties here who are on steroids for various conditions and they get insulin. There's also no reason to think that being on pred means that Mikey's BG will rise.
MelanieAndRacci
Member Since 2010
Re: 7/12 Mikey w/bronchitis/vet gave prednisolone 5mg, Thoug
Hi Jenn,
Whether Mikey has bronchitis or asthma, the prednisolone is usually just given at the beginning of the illness when it is most severe and needs to be gotten under control. Mikey might be able to be weened off it in a couple of weeks while being started on an inhalant, if you let the vet know that you are willing and want to switch to the inhalant meds. A lot of people cannot afford them so the dr.s don't suggest them. Speak to your vet about an inhalant like Flovent and/or a Brochiodilator like Albuterol and get an aerokat for it.
Racci has asthma and was on pred for only a few weeks but I had to ask to switch her because the vet thought the inhalants were too expensive! They don't realize that you can get them overseas at a quarter of the price. (don't let the vet know you get it overseas tho. They don't like that) Also Racci does not have the typical asthma cough either but instead has a reverse sneezing type of asthma. Hers was also diagnosed by x-ray and showed the donut swirl. Asthma does not always sound the same.
If it is just a temporary case of bronchitis the antibiotics should clear it up right away and the pred will be temporary also. I would definitely talk about the inhalants with him though. If he's prone to it, he will probably get it again.
I hope he feels better soon. Try not to worry too much.
Melanie & Racci
Hi Jenn,
Whether Mikey has bronchitis or asthma, the prednisolone is usually just given at the beginning of the illness when it is most severe and needs to be gotten under control. Mikey might be able to be weened off it in a couple of weeks while being started on an inhalant, if you let the vet know that you are willing and want to switch to the inhalant meds. A lot of people cannot afford them so the dr.s don't suggest them. Speak to your vet about an inhalant like Flovent and/or a Brochiodilator like Albuterol and get an aerokat for it.
Racci has asthma and was on pred for only a few weeks but I had to ask to switch her because the vet thought the inhalants were too expensive! They don't realize that you can get them overseas at a quarter of the price. (don't let the vet know you get it overseas tho. They don't like that) Also Racci does not have the typical asthma cough either but instead has a reverse sneezing type of asthma. Hers was also diagnosed by x-ray and showed the donut swirl. Asthma does not always sound the same.
If it is just a temporary case of bronchitis the antibiotics should clear it up right away and the pred will be temporary also. I would definitely talk about the inhalants with him though. If he's prone to it, he will probably get it again.
I hope he feels better soon. Try not to worry too much.
Melanie & Racci
miso00
Member Since 2011
Re: 7/12 Mikey w/bronchitis/vet gave prednisolone 5mg, Thoug
Can it be brought on by stress? I know URI's can show up from stress, change of environment bringing on low immune system. I think he had "bronchitis" when he first came as well. We thought he was purring but he really doesn't purr. Sometimes when he eats he grunts, which we thought was more food aggression but now I think it's him not being able to breath when trying to eat the food so fast.
My vet did want to re-asses him in 10 days to see if the prednisone is working or if something more should be considered. I appreciate all the information, especially with putting my mind at ease to give him the prednisone. I will mention to my vet that if an inhaler is needed I will do what ever I need to do to treat Mikey. MY vet is pretty good about it, just doesn't like to jump the gun.
(sorry if I'm not making sense, I'm super tired and looks like Tidus might have a surprise for me tonight)
Can it be brought on by stress? I know URI's can show up from stress, change of environment bringing on low immune system. I think he had "bronchitis" when he first came as well. We thought he was purring but he really doesn't purr. Sometimes when he eats he grunts, which we thought was more food aggression but now I think it's him not being able to breath when trying to eat the food so fast.
My vet did want to re-asses him in 10 days to see if the prednisone is working or if something more should be considered. I appreciate all the information, especially with putting my mind at ease to give him the prednisone. I will mention to my vet that if an inhaler is needed I will do what ever I need to do to treat Mikey. MY vet is pretty good about it, just doesn't like to jump the gun.
(sorry if I'm not making sense, I'm super tired and looks like Tidus might have a surprise for me tonight)
Tena and Curry(GA)
Member Since 2010
Re: 7/12 Mikey w/bronchitis/vet gave prednisolone 5mg, Thoug
If you end up needing an inhaler and some Flovent down the road, let me know. You can PM me.
Curry was on the Flovent.
I had just purchased a new inhaler just before she died. So it only a month old. And I have 1 Flovent cannister. Its the 110 size. I'd be willing to send them both to you. You might need to get a larger mask for the inhaler. Curry only used the small mask.
So just let me know if you are interested.
If you end up needing an inhaler and some Flovent down the road, let me know. You can PM me.
Curry was on the Flovent.
I had just purchased a new inhaler just before she died. So it only a month old. And I have 1 Flovent cannister. Its the 110 size. I'd be willing to send them both to you. You might need to get a larger mask for the inhaler. Curry only used the small mask.
So just let me know if you are interested.
- Status