vibes for my dear orange marmalade tabby boy

[grasswire]

My big ol' sweet orange tabby Keiko is, I fear, having some respiratory trouble creeping up on him. I've noticed a bit of wheezing once in a while over the past couple of months. His last veterinary exam was unremarkable, so I've kind of let it go because money is tight.

But tonight I see that he is using his abdomen to breathe, and his respirations are about 44 per minute -- a bit high. I'm afraid for him. He's eating and drinking and alert. If I put my ear to his chest wall, I hear some wheezing.

I really have no money to take him for CXR and lab work and vet care for a couple of weeks. It's breaking my heart.

So please tell me your stories about your cats who have wheezes and do well on bronchodilators and help me hope that he will not deteriorate before I can get care for him. It must be exhausting to breathe using your stomach.

He's 13 years old, about 16 pounds, with a ring tail and soft, soft fur. And he has the most endearing habits -- a sweet, sweet boy.

[Withywindle]

1. Sending vibes.

:hug: for you and the kitty boy.

[Tom Kitten]

2. good vibes for Keiko

I had to have my sweet soft orange marmalade 17 years old Felix put to sleep last year. It started with a respiratory problem and within a few days he could not walk more than a few steps without collapsing. The vet said because of his advanced age even if they did the tests and tried to help him that there was no guarantee he would get better. I had lost my job three days earlier, and although an extenuating circumstance the vet said it was probably the best even if I had spent what scant savings I had. I went home and cried all the rest of the day, he was the best cat ever.

I still miss him and I find scant comfort knowing I spent much more on health care for him than myself. I just hope that Keiko's problem is not as serious, he has some good years left.

These are pictures of Felix, he was quite the character...I have his ashes on the mantle in my study room...

[warrior1]

3. Sending good vibes

[mikeytherat]

4. Sending vibes your way

mikey_the_rat

[motely36]

5. sending good vibes

Hope all goes well

[Haole Girl]

6. If you can't take him to the vet, due to finances, could you at least call a vet

and explain your circumstances? If they can't offer any free advice over the phone, maybe they could refer you to a low-cost clinic, veterinary school, etc.

Please seek some kind of real medical attention for him.

Hope he improves, somehow.

Vibes & :hug: ...for Keiko.


p.s, The only story about a wheezing animal, that didn't get medical attention, I know of
didn't end well. I'm sorry.

[stuntcat]

7. *vibes*

:hug: ((Keiko))

I hope it's just a cold, something he can get over. I wish they sold cold medicine for cats, something we could buy for them without a $100 office visit.

[Jamastiene]

8. Domino had asthma but the asthma isn't what got her.

She got cancer earlier this year and that is what took her from me. I still miss her.

The asthma though, she had all her life. She was only 6 months old when they diagnosed it. She took medicine (5mg of Prednisone) for it every other day and lived fine. When it rained, she would have an attack, but the rest of the time, the medicine kept her airways clear enough to run and play and just be a happy cat.

Do you know if it could possibly be asthma? It sounds just like it to me.

In any case, I hope he starts feeling better very soon. He'll get plenty of good vibes from me. :hug:

[siligut]

9. Can you make some chicken broth?

Garlic really isn’t one of cat’s favorite foods, but just warm bouillon might help. Keep him warm. Treat this as a cold. Does he have a dry nose and mucus secretions? Some cats get asthma. Really call the vet it can’t hurt. This sounds like it is progressing. Plus vibes.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

10. ~peaceful and calming vibes for Keiko~

:hug:

[demnan]

11. I hope he gets better

perhaps its just a cold he'll get over. Hang in there