Ketchie tortie, congested, not eating..Mirtazapine?

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Jean and Charcoal

Jean and Charcoal

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Hi Everyone,

My Ketchie girl, is 16 and a half years old (equal to an 82 year old in human years). She is very congested, has sneezing fits, and is very lethargic. I had her to the vet's on Friday, 2-3-12. She weighs 10 pounds, and the vet put her on Baytril for 10 days. Trouble is, I am afraid she may not make it that long.

She has many health issues: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, interstitial idiopathic cystitis, CRF, chronic constipation, arthritis, left eyelid is turned inward, and fur rubs on her eye, and she usually has constant runny eye from that. Plus she has hyperesthesia, and she is a very anxious cat. Also, the vet saw that she has two infected teeth (she only has about two left) and I believe that is why she also wanted her on the Baytril. She is now in a room by herself, and I cannot even force feed her, as then she starts gagging and vomits. I have tried Pepcid A/C a quarter of a tablet, but she threw it up after I gave it to her last night.

I have a few pills of Mirtazapine left from when Ketchie's mother, Gracie was very sick before she died exactly 3 years ago today. I checked with my pharmacist to see if the pills were still good, date wise, and he said they should be. I don't know whether to try a very minor dose with Ketchie, or just wait until tomorrow and call the vet's or take her back.

Has anyone here had much luck with Mirtazapine with stimulating the appetite of their cats? I know others who use Cyproheptadine, but the Mirtazapine really helped Gracie, even though she died anyway (cancer).

Maybe I am just hoping that Ketchie will pull through this bout of illness, but maybe I should decide that she may not be able to this time? It makes me feel sick just to think about losing her. She will be the oldest cat I have had, born in my bathroom on August 1, 1995, and I lost her brother, Schooner last March, 2011, so Ketchie is the last of the family here with me.

A year ago, this week, is when I found out I had breast cancer, then had a double mastectomy, and I have other health issues that are serious. I only mention this, because I am concerned after falling 9 days ago outside, from a terrible dizzy spell, and I fell into the front of my house. Thank Heavens I did not hurt myself, but it was very scary.

I am very concerned about Ketchie, but I don't want her to suffer either. If anyone has any information about the Mirtazapine, I would appreciate it, even a PM.

January292012Myrtlespresentscats015.jpg
Ketchie about one week ago.

Thank you,
Jean and Charcoal (GA) :roll:
 
Hi Jean!

I don't know a thing about Mirtazapine, except I have heard it works. When my Zoe gets congested, I give her upto half a Claritin, which usually works fairly quickly in clearing up the congestion. Claritin is the same as Loratadine.....I start Zoe with 1/4 of a pill to see if that works and usually it does....but kitties can have upto 1/2 of a 10mg pill every 24 hours. Zoe has Diabetes and Asthma. Just a thought.....I hope Ketchie feels better!
 
My 2 cents

Simba didn't do too well on Mirtazapine but as you've already said ECID. The only magic that did catch his interest and want to eat was his worshipped raw thin sliced beef, so I fed him that until he started getting his interest back concerning the cat food.


That's really a lot that Ketchie has to fight with and from the sound of it with all that, she seems to be a tough cookie, and at least an attempt with Mirtaz might not hurt.

I don't remember the dosage of it though. It was Larry and Kitties who guided me with that.
 
Maybe she can't smell the food. You might use a warm, damp wash clothe to clean her nose a bit. Warm the food, too.
 
Thanks for the suggestions!

I have been trying to warm the food, but she is just not interested. Plus, I have washed her little nose, but doesn't seem to help much.

I definitely will be calling the vet in the morning early. I don't have any Claritin here, but also had thought about Chlortrimeton, but don't have that either.

A while ago, I fried a pound of bacon, Ketchie's all time favorite food. That peaked NO INTEREST. UGH....

I will post as things progress, one way or the other.
 
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=2552
Side Effects

The most common side effect of this medication is drowsiness.

Mirtazapine decreases cortisol secretion by the adrenal glands but has not actually panned out as a treatment for Cushing's syndrome, where excess adrenal steroids are produced by the adrenal glands.

Serotonin syndrome is a potential side effect should brain levels of serotonin get too high but this syndrome generally requires a combination of serotonin-increasing medications. Elevated heart rate, tremors/shivering, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, elevated body temperature, or high blood pressure can all be signs of serotonin syndrome. Animals with serotonin syndrome sometimes demonstrate general hyperactivity. If there is any question that serotonin syndrome is occurring, cyproheptadine can be used as an antidote.

One time, my cat had twitching (what I took as tremors) and seemed agitated and hyper (pacing) for about 15 minutes, after giving Mirtz.

I just thought, if your cat has heart problems, this would not be a good thing.

Luckily, I had Cyproheptadine on hand, in case I needed it, but J.D. settled down after about 15 to 20 minutes.
 
If wiping stuff loose isn't getting enough of it, a pediatric nasal suction bulp may be useable to gentle suction mucus out of the nose. You'll find them in baby supplies at a pharmacy.
 
For Willows congestion and eating issues, he takes Cyproheptadine (and antihistamine/appetite stimulant). He has taken Mirtazapine in the past with no problems, but doesn't have any known heart problems. He always has to take an appetite stimulant of some sort if he is on any antibiotic because he completely stops eating. I would definitely check with the vet first. Sending good thoughts for you and Ketchie
 
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