Need help with Asthmatic Civvie

[Tracey&Jones (GA)]

My Civvie Libby needs to start using an inhaler.

I haven't pushed the issue with her so far but after looking at a bunch of you-tube videos - it looks so easy!

Right now I have just put it around her face. She takes a sniff and leaves. Was wondering if I let it soak in some warm soapy water if that will help take some of the "plastic" smell away.

I put a treat in it and just held it hoping she would put her nose in....she sniffed all around but refused to put her nose in for the treat.

Does anyone have any tricks that they used to help get this processed started? Her oral meds will be running out in a week so would like to get some overlap in.

 

[Kris & Teasel]

My Civvie Libby needs to start using an inhaler.

I haven't pushed the issue with her so far but after looking at a bunch of you-tube videos - it looks so easy!

Right now I have just put it around her face. She takes a sniff and leaves. Was wondering if I let it soak in some warm soapy water if that will help take some of the "plastic" smell away.

I put a treat in it and just held it hoping she would put her nose in....she sniffed all around but refused to put her nose in for the treat.

Does anyone have any tricks that they used to help get this processed started? Her oral meds will be running out in a week so would like to get some overlap in.

View attachment 30964

Maybe a little smear of tuna or sardine liquid would help?

 

[Tracey&Jones (GA)]

smear of tuna

Yes, nice and smelly!

I will try that tonight..

 

[Yong & Maury GA]

Does she like catnip? or cheese? There is a member who also has an asthmatic kitty that uses inhaler's (probably more than 1). Ok the one I was thinking of hasn't been on the board in a few months but I think @DebG and @Woodsywife also had / have asthmatic kitties, maybe they can chime in

 

[Bodinator]

tuna juice!
Tracey, did you know that there's a yahoo group for feline asthma? They helped me tremendously with my GA asthmatic cat, Beny. I googled 'feline asthma yahoo groups' and found them again.

 

[Tracey&Jones (GA)]

she like catnip?

I wish... but no. She looks on her siblings as they go nuts for it as if they have lost all their sensibilities.

Tracey, did you know that there's a yahoo group for feline asthma?

I didn't but I will go searching for it!

Going to try the tuna juice. She is just getting into that. Being a former stray she has no idea about the fun things in life.

Was thinking of dipping it into her wet food but then that is just messy...

 

[Olive & Paula]

Are you using the aerokat? I sat on the floor, put Smokey between my legs with his back to me. I would push the inhaler before I put it on his face. Sometimes he fought, but I was always able to keep his face in it.

Others actually use a nebulizer, put cat in carrier with towels covering the air vents and place the nebulizer in the carrier so it's not against their face but they can breathe it in.

 

[Squeaky and KT (GA)]

@Melissa & Tarragon - Tarragon was asthmatic, Melissa used an aerokat and meds for years.

 

[Tracey&Jones (GA)]

Are you using the aerokat?

Yep that is what I have. I used one for years on one of my droolers. She was easy though.

Libby is a little - I will take your pets and now I am done....

 

[Tracey&Jones (GA)]

Do they eventually just get used to doing it if you associate it with treats and cuddles - like the home testing?

 

[Melissa & Tarragon]

Hello! We used the aerokat for years. Yes, they really respond to treats and cuddles . Just go slow with it and be patient.

 

[Olive & Paula]

Some will, some won't. Smokey was as needed. So when he started coughing it was easy because he wasn't going anywhere. He would be hunkered down and splayed out. Once he got a few whiffs and was breathing easier he would try to get away from it, I just had to hold him tight.

 

[Tracey&Jones (GA)]

First positive step. Put a tad of her food in it and she finally came forward to lick it out. Will repeat a few times tonight while changing position so I am behind her.

 

[DebG]

My Civvie Libby needs to start using an inhaler.

I haven't pushed the issue with her so far but after looking at a bunch of you-tube videos - it looks so easy!

Right now I have just put it around her face. She takes a sniff and leaves. Was wondering if I let it soak in some warm soapy water if that will help take some of the "plastic" smell away.

I put a treat in it and just held it hoping she would put her nose in....she sniffed all around but refused to put her nose in for the treat.

Does anyone have any tricks that they used to help get this processed started? Her oral meds will be running out in a week so would like to get some overlap in.

View attachment 30964

I straddle over the top if Fritz shake the Flovent attached to the inhaler place over his nose.

 

[Squeakycats]

I've been using the aerokat with my civvie for several years, with no drama at all--she knows it'll be done quickly and she'll get special attention and a treat!

 

[Tracey&Jones (GA)]

We are actually to the point that she will sit and take 3-4 breathes with the canister on it. Lots of pets after and of course a treat. Her diet plan is out the window this week. I think I can start tonight with the doing the actual dose. She may not get everything at first but it is a start! Her prednisolone dose is now down to once a day for the next 3 days so I think it is a good time to try.

She is not very bad right now. So just going to use the blue one - salbutamol? To start. Not sure she needs the flovent at the moment but we will see.