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I can’t imagine not treating your cat with meds at this point. His condition is obviously *not* stable as is evidenced by the increased murmur and increased thickening not to mention the fact that you brought him in in the first place because he was obviously feeling bad. Having had a cat with a heart condition myself, I can’t imagine, considering the above, that a vet would recommend not treating. Please get a second opinion, preferably from a cardiologist. Medication can help to stabilize a patient. What does this vet want to do? Wait until more damage is done? Also, the crackling sound that often goes with feline asthma is also common with heart condtions and is a sign of edema. Your cat’s panting is more likely to mean that dema is happening and he needs treatment for the heart condition, not a wait and see approach. My cat Omar also presented with this as well. Assuming asthma without doing an xray to look for the obvious signs to me, and especially knowing there is a heart condition, is *extremely* worrisome, and *coughing* is the most common sign of asthma, not panting. I have a cat with asthma so I’ve BTDT too.  Again, PLEASE get a second opinion! Just because a vet "seems" competent doesn’t make it so and the recommendation to not do meds is very alarming to me. http://www.newmanveterinary.com/felhcm.html Megan "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke Learn The TRUTH About Declawing http://www.stopdeclaw.com Zuzu’s Cats Photo Album: http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22 "Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way." – W.H. Murray

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Charleeen, Mr. Pumpkin, Aggie Marble, Victor Velcro

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well, himself is back from the TED, and very miffed about his shaved armpits he is too! The vet doing the Ultrasound and X-rays was very nice – she was also very direct, which I prefer. Apparently, Tigers heart murmer "HAS" increased from 3/6 to 4/6 (which is why the vet got upset last night) and there has been a slight thickening in the left ventrial wall compared to the utrasound readings 18 months ago, but nothing so significant that it merits medication at the moment as the whole thing seems relatively stabalised. Apparently, the literature suggests that for a stable HCM condition like Tiger has, rather than CHM, medication has not been shown to make a significant difference. The vet is competent, so I’ll follow her advice. Turns out that the panting is probably asthma!! Apparently after the ultrasound, they put him onto the equivalent of a kitty treadmill to see what he was like after exercise, and he started panting. Whilst this *is* indicative of heart problems, they listened to his chest and apparently he has "typical asthmatic sounds", whatever the hell they are. Needless to say, after the last 24 hours, I don’t really care! It’s treatable, it’s dealable, and my little boy is actually OK. )) Thank you all for the purrs and prayers – you really have no idea the difference it made to me having the support. Helen M

So glad to hear this, Helen!  Answering late, because I had to go to the vet yesterday to take in Sabra, who had been having problems with his asthma over the weekend. If I can help in any way answering any questions about the asthma, feel free to ask, Helen. Glad HRFL Tiger is okay Ginger-lyn

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<snip It’s treatable, it’s dealable, and my little boy is actually OK. )) Thank you all for the purrs and prayers – you really have no idea the difference it made to me having the support. Helen M

I’m so glad to hear it was nothing more serious. — Adrian (Owned by Snoopy & Bagheera) A house is not a home, without a cat.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – On 2005-02-22, HRFLTiger penned: Turns out that the panting is probably asthma!! Apparently after the ultrasound, they put him onto the equivalent of a kitty treadmill to see what he was like after exercise, and he started panting. Whilst this *is* indicative of heart problems, they listened to his chest and apparently he has "typical asthmatic sounds", whatever the hell they are. Needless to say, after the last 24 hours, I don’t really care! I’m trying to imagine a device that would get a cat to run consistently for long enough to get an accurate read.  I can’t do it.

It was strange enough to see a blood pressure taken with a cuff around Clifford’s tail. Even then, the cardiologist only measured the systolic pressure. I’m trying to remember if he needed a Doppler sensor rather than a stethoscope even for that.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well, himself is back from the TED, and very miffed about his shaved armpits he is too! The vet doing the Ultrasound and X-rays was very nice – she was also very direct, which I prefer. Apparently, Tigers heart murmer "HAS" increased from 3/6 to 4/6 (which is why the vet got upset last night) and there has been a slight thickening in the left ventrial wall compared to the utrasound readings 18 months ago, but nothing so significant that it merits medication at the moment as the whole thing seems relatively stabalised. Apparently, the literature suggests that for a stable HCM condition like Tiger has, rather than CHM, medication has not been shown to make a significant difference. The vet is competent, so I’ll follow her advice. Turns out that the panting is probably asthma!! Apparently after the ultrasound, they put him onto the equivalent of a kitty treadmill to see what he was like after exercise, and he started panting. Whilst this *is* indicative of heart problems, they listened to his chest and apparently he has "typical asthmatic sounds", whatever the hell they are. Needless to say, after the last 24 hours, I don’t really care! It’s treatable, it’s dealable, and my little boy is actually OK. )) Thank you all for the purrs and prayers – you really have no idea the difference it made to me having the support. Helen M

This is excellent news!  I’m so happy to hear it!  Continued purrs for HRFL Tiger and all the other kitties and peoples who need purrs. Jill

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[[Ahhh, I had almost figured it out.  Just couldn't come up with the "L".  Aren't all "mwowing" furbabies reincarnated aristocracy?  Mine certainly think they are!]] Either that, or aristocracy are reincarnated from cats… and the cats KNOW it! ) Donna and the royal fuzzballs, Captain and Stanley

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I’m glad Tiger’s problem is treatable. Healthy long-life purrs for Tiger. Suz

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It’s treatable, it’s dealable, and my little boy is actually OK. ))

So glad to hear your little darling is OK. Did they put him on asthma meds? Nikki gets Prednisone, and it seems to keep her coughing down pretty well. — Marina, Frank and Nikki marina (dot) kurten (at) pp (dot) inet (dot) fi Pics at http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/frankiennikki/ and http://community.webshots.com/user/frankiennikki

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Oh, good boy, Tiger. Continuing to send the purrs. Katz & cats

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It’s treatable, it’s dealable, and my little boy is actually OK. )) So glad to hear your little darling is OK. Did they put him on asthma meds? Nikki gets Prednisone, and it seems to keep her coughing down pretty well.

Prednisone tends to cause less side effects in cats than in humans, but it’s still often associated with fluid retention. If it were to be given for the asthma in a furred/furless person with heart failure, I don’t think there’s any question that a diuretic, probably furosemide (Lasix) should be given with it. Megan does raise some valid concerns. I simply am not familiar with the veterinary literature involved. In humans, there would be no question of starting medications early, probably a diuretic.

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Good news that it is treatable!  Purrs continue. Debbie Berry – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well, himself is back from the TED, and very miffed about his shaved armpits he is too! The vet doing the Ultrasound and X-rays was very nice – she was also very direct, which I prefer. Apparently, Tigers heart murmer "HAS" increased from 3/6 to 4/6 (which is why the vet got upset last night) and there has been a slight thickening in the left ventrial wall compared to the utrasound readings 18 months ago, but nothing so significant that it merits medication at the moment as the whole thing seems relatively stabalised. Apparently, the literature suggests that for a stable HCM condition like Tiger has, rather than CHM, medication has not been shown to make a significant difference. The vet is competent, so I’ll follow her advice. Turns out that the panting is probably asthma!! Apparently after the ultrasound, they put him onto the equivalent of a kitty treadmill to see what he was like after exercise, and he started panting. Whilst this *is* indicative of heart problems, they listened to his chest and apparently he has "typical asthmatic sounds", whatever the hell they are. Needless to say, after the last 24 hours, I don’t really care! It’s treatable, it’s dealable, and my little boy is actually OK. )) Thank you all for the purrs and prayers – you really have no idea the difference it made to me having the support. Helen M

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It’s treatable, it’s dealable, and my little boy is actually OK. )) Thank you all for the purrs and prayers – you really have no idea the difference it made to me having the support. Helen M

Yeah! Three cheers for HRFH Love Jeanette

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If I may ask, what does HRFL mean? Of course you can ask Annie. ) It started out as a joke on RPCA waaay back in about 1999. I forget who coined it. HRFL stands for "His Royal Feline Lordship". Tiger is utterly convinced that if he stands still long enough the entire world will revolve around him. It frequently does! Helen M

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If I may ask, what does HRFL mean? Of course you can ask Annie. ) It started out as a joke on RPCA waaay back in about 1999. I forget who coined it. HRFL stands for "His Royal Feline Lordship". Tiger is utterly convinced that if he stands still long enough the entire world will revolve around him. It frequently does! Helen M

Ahhh, I had almost figured it out.  Just couldn’t come up with the "L".  Aren’t all "mwowing" furbabies reincarnated aristocracy?  Mine certainly think they are! Smokie Darling (Annie)

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well, himself is back from the TED, and very miffed about his shaved armpits he is too! The vet doing the Ultrasound and X-rays was very nice – she was also very direct, which I prefer. Apparently, Tigers heart murmer "HAS" increased from 3/6 to 4/6 (which is why the vet got upset last night) and there has been a slight thickening in the left ventrial wall compared to the utrasound readings 18 months ago, but nothing so significant that it merits medication at the moment as the whole thing seems relatively stabalised. Apparently, the literature suggests that for a stable HCM condition like Tiger has, rather than CHM, medication has not been shown to make a significant difference. The vet is competent, so I’ll follow her advice.

This might be a local difference — I don’t recognize the acronyms. I’d think of CHF as congestive heart failure, and we usually spell out the different kinds of heart enlargement and cardiomyopathy.  Are you referring to the valvular disease? Turns out that the panting is probably asthma!! Apparently after the ultrasound, they put him onto the equivalent of a kitty treadmill to see what he was like after exercise, and he started panting. Whilst this *is* indicative of heart problems, they listened to his chest and apparently he has "typical asthmatic sounds", whatever the hell they are. Needless to say, after the last 24 hours, I don’t really care!

I’m very glad they found that out, if medication becomes appropriate in the future. In human congestive heart failure, beta blockers (technically beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists) are a relatively new addition to the basic regimen of diuretics and often digitalis. Beta blockers, however, are contraindicated in asthma. It’s treatable, it’s dealable, and my little boy is actually OK. )) Thank you all for the purrs and prayers – you really have no idea the difference it made to me having the support.

Purrs again. If it helps any, while I don’t have heart valve problems, I did have heart enlargement from other conditions. With aggressive treatment, it’s completely reversed. Hopefully that might happen for Tiger. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Helen M

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Purrs continuing for Tiger! Hugs, CatNipped

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well, himself is back from the TED, and very miffed about his shaved armpits he is too! The vet doing the Ultrasound and X-rays was very nice – she was also very direct, which I prefer. Apparently, Tigers heart murmer "HAS" increased from 3/6 to 4/6 (which is why the vet got upset last night) and there has been a slight thickening in the left ventrial wall compared to the utrasound readings 18 months ago, but nothing so significant that it merits medication at the moment as the whole thing seems relatively stabalised. Apparently, the literature suggests that for a stable HCM condition like Tiger has, rather than CHM, medication has not been shown to make a significant difference. The vet is competent, so I’ll follow her advice. Turns out that the panting is probably asthma!! Apparently after the ultrasound, they put him onto the equivalent of a kitty treadmill to see what he was like after exercise, and he started panting. Whilst this *is* indicative of heart problems, they listened to his chest and apparently he has "typical asthmatic sounds", whatever the hell they are. Needless to say, after the last 24 hours, I don’t really care! It’s treatable, it’s dealable, and my little boy is actually OK. )) Thank you all for the purrs and prayers – you really have no idea the difference it made to me having the support. Helen M

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MOST EXCELLENT NEWS!!! I’m so happy for HRFL Tiger and for you. Can we get jpegs of the saven armpits? Victor, posting from work

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It’s treatable, it’s dealable, and my little boy is actually OK. )) Thank you all for the purrs and prayers – you really have no idea the difference it made to me having the support. Helen M

Excellent news! Cheers, helen s p.s. – give himself a good earscritch from me!

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I’m glad to hear that the results were reassuring. ) Let HRFL Tiger know that he’s got company on this board with other asthmatic kitties. BTW, the one asthmatic cat that I knew was diagnosed during a summer about 20 years ago when the pollen count was HORRENDOUSLY high. I know that spring is on the way (and it can’t get here soon enough to suit me!), so maybe you can try and find out what the air quality is in your area. Maybe there’s pollen or mold or ??? in the air that’s triggering the asthma symptoms to crop up. Forewarned is forearmed. Captain and Stanley send HRFL some nice loud PURRRRS, and I send him some skritchies. Donna, Captain, and Stanley

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On 2005-02-22, HRFLTiger penned: Turns out that the panting is probably asthma!! Apparently after the ultrasound, they put him onto the equivalent of a kitty treadmill to see what he was like after exercise, and he started panting. Whilst this *is* indicative of heart problems, they listened to his chest and apparently he has "typical asthmatic sounds", whatever the hell they are. Needless to say, after the last 24 hours, I don’t really care!

I’m trying to imagine a device that would get a cat to run consistently for long enough to get an accurate read.  I can’t do it. It’s treatable, it’s dealable, and my little boy is actually OK. ))

Very good news! — monique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca

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"I’m trying to imagine a device that would get a cat to run consistently for long enough to get an accurate read.  I can’t do it." As I understand it, it involved a vet tech, a laser pointer and plenty of space in the prep area! ;o) Helen M

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well, himself is back from the TED, and very miffed about his shaved armpits he is too! The vet doing the Ultrasound and X-rays was very nice – she was also very direct, which I prefer. Apparently, Tigers heart murmer "HAS" increased from 3/6 to 4/6 (which is why the vet got upset last night) and there has been a slight thickening in the left ventrial wall compared to the utrasound readings 18 months ago, but nothing so significant that it merits medication at the moment as the whole thing seems relatively stabalised. Apparently, the literature suggests that for a stable HCM condition like Tiger has, rather than CHM, medication has not been shown to make a significant difference. The vet is competent, so I’ll follow her advice. Turns out that the panting is probably asthma!! Apparently after the ultrasound, they put him onto the equivalent of a kitty treadmill to see what he was like after exercise, and he started panting. Whilst this *is* indicative of heart problems, they listened to his chest and apparently he has "typical asthmatic sounds", whatever the hell they are. Needless to say, after the last 24 hours, I don’t really care! It’s treatable, it’s dealable, and my little boy is actually OK. )) Thank you all for the purrs and prayers – you really have no idea the difference it made to me having the support. Helen M

I’m very happy that Tiger is going to be alright.  Being the big wuss that I am, when "owners" are not doing well, I imagine all sorts of awful things (and that’s for *other people’s* owners, imagine what I’m like with my own!). If I may ask, what does HRFL mean?  Answer only if you want to. Smokie Darling (Annie)

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Well, himself is back from the TED, and very miffed about his shaved armpits he is too!

I can imagine. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The vet doing the Ultrasound and X-rays was very nice – she was also very direct, which I prefer. Apparently, Tigers heart murmer "HAS" increased from 3/6 to 4/6 (which is why the vet got upset last night) and there has been a slight thickening in the left ventrial wall compared to the utrasound readings 18 months ago, but nothing so significant that it merits medication at the moment as the whole thing seems relatively stabalised. Apparently, the literature suggests that for a stable HCM condition like Tiger has, rather than CHM, medication has not been shown to make a significant difference. The vet is competent, so I’ll follow her advice. Turns out that the panting is probably asthma!! Apparently after the ultrasound, they put him onto the equivalent of a kitty treadmill to see what he was like after exercise, and he started panting. Whilst this *is* indicative of heart problems, they listened to his chest and apparently he has "typical asthmatic sounds", whatever the hell they are. Needless to say, after the last 24 hours, I don’t really care! It’s treatable, it’s dealable, and my little boy is actually OK. ))

This is good news, glad to hear that. Thank you all for the purrs and prayers – you really have no idea the difference it made to me having the support. Helen M

Phil

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Well, himself is back from the TED, and very miffed about his shaved armpits he is too! The vet doing the Ultrasound and X-rays was very nice – she was also very direct, which I prefer. Apparently, Tigers heart murmer "HAS" increased from 3/6 to 4/6 (which is why the vet got upset last night) and there has been a slight thickening in the left ventrial wall compared to the utrasound readings 18 months ago, but nothing so significant that it merits medication at the moment as the whole thing seems relatively stabalised. Apparently, the literature suggests that for a stable HCM condition like Tiger has, rather than CHM, medication has not been shown to make a significant difference. The vet is competent, so I’ll follow her advice. Turns out that the panting is probably asthma!! Apparently after the ultrasound, they put him onto the equivalent of a kitty treadmill to see what he was like after exercise, and he started panting. Whilst this *is* indicative of heart problems, they listened to his chest and apparently he has "typical asthmatic sounds", whatever the hell they are. Needless to say, after the last 24 hours, I don’t really care! It’s treatable, it’s dealable, and my little boy is actually OK. )) Thank you all for the purrs and prayers – you really have no idea the difference it made to me having the support. Helen M

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Question:

I signed up on the feline asthma yahoo group and today received an OT email for a site that sells a Crazy Cat Lady Action Figure with extra cats.  I just had to share with you all. http://www.mcphee.com/amusements/current/11377.html Julie <gone to catch up on my email sending purrs as needed and will be

back That is hilarious!  ’Cept I don’t think she has enough cats! I always wanted to grow up to be a crazy cat lady. -L.

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That is hilarious!  ’Cept I don’t think she has enough cats! I always wanted to grow up to be a crazy cat lady. -L.

I showed Vernon who said… "Why darling, it’s you!" And he wants to know what I’ve done with the royalties from when I modelled… Harumph! He is now on restricted pleasures for at leat a month Cheers, helen s –This is an invalid email address — to get correct one remove $ and * www.ccbreckland.org.uk –Due to financial crisis the light at the end of the tunnel is switched off–

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I think we’ve had that kind of thing around where I live. Used to be a lady in the apartments near me that kept feeding the wild cats. And once in awhile, I do hear of a crazy cat lady for real. — Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus      www.lds.org      www.mormons.com

I signed up on the feline asthma yahoo group and today received an OT email for a site that sells a Crazy Cat Lady Action Figure with extra cats.  I just had to share with you all. http://www.mcphee.com/amusements/current/11377.html Julie <gone to catch up on my email sending purrs as needed and will be back

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If it can be a person with a crazy cat, rather than a person crazy about cats plural.

I’ve never had a cat that =wasn’t= crazy in one way or another.  The present one, Mindy, chases her tail like a dog, except that she’s able to catch it. And then she beats up on it.  Crazy cat. — Steve (Mindy’s daddy)

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I signed up on the feline asthma yahoo group and today received an OT email for a site that sells a Crazy Cat Lady Action Figure with extra cats.  I just had to share with you all. http://www.mcphee.com/amusements/current/11377.html

That’s the one Ginger-lyn has, isn’t it? — Marina, Frank and Nikki marina (dot) kurten (at) pp (dot) inet (dot) fi Pics at http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/frankiennikki/ and http://community.webshots.com/user/frankiennikki

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I signed up on the feline asthma yahoo group and today received an OT email for a site that sells a Crazy Cat Lady Action Figure with extra cats.  I just had to share with you all. http://www.mcphee.com/amusements/current/11377.html Julie <gone to catch up on my email sending purrs as needed and will be back

Heh, I qualify as a Crazy Cat Person.=o)  In the past two months, I have DEFINITELY spent more on vet bills than I have on my own doctor bills. <G I may not have six cats, but I’m half way there with three. (BUt I think I’ll stop there, thanks.) Melissa

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On 2005-01-23, Melissa Houle penned: Heh, I qualify as a Crazy Cat Person.=o)  In the past two months, I have DEFINITELY spent more on vet bills than I have on my own doctor bills. <G I may not have six cats, but I’m half way there with three. (BUt I think I’ll stop there, thanks.)

If you can say "I think I’ll stop there," you probably aren’t a crazy cat lady =P — monique, roommate of Oscar the (female) grouch Eros was adopted!  Eros has a home now!  *cheer!*

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I signed up on the feline asthma yahoo group and today received an OT email for a site that sells a Crazy Cat Lady Action Figure with extra cats.  I just had to share with you all. http://www.mcphee.com/amusements/current/11377.html That’s the one Ginger-lyn has, isn’t it? — Marina, Frank and Nikki marina (dot) kurten (at) pp (dot) inet (dot) fi Pics at http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/frankiennikki/ and http://community.webshots.com/user/frankiennikki

Yep.  Julie, are you and I twins??? Ginger-lyn

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I dont know I only have one cat but my neighbours still think I’ma crazy cat person becaus I treat them as babies and stop to pet all other cats that I see I can’t pass one by    Jean.P.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I signed up on the feline asthma yahoo group and today received an OT email for a site that sells a Crazy Cat Lady Action Figure with extra cats.  I just had to share with you all. http://www.mcphee.com/amusements/current/11377.html That’s the one Ginger-lyn has, isn’t it? — Marina, Frank and Nikki marina (dot) kurten (at) pp (dot) inet (dot) fi Pics at http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/frankiennikki/ and http://community.webshots.com/user/frankiennikki

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I signed up on the feline asthma yahoo group and today received an OT email for a site that sells a Crazy Cat Lady Action Figure with extra cats.  I just had to share with you all. http://www.mcphee.com/amusements/current/11377.html Julie <gone to catch up on my email sending purrs as needed and will be back

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I signed up on the feline asthma yahoo group and today received an OT email for a site that sells a Crazy Cat Lady Action Figure with extra cats.  I just had to share with you all. http://www.mcphee.com/amusements/current/11377.html Julie <gone to catch up on my email sending purrs as needed and will be back

Took the quiz, I’m a crazy cat lady.

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Took the quiz, I’m a crazy cat lady.

What’s the minimum number of cats required to be a crazy cat person?  I don’t think my wife and I qualify with just one. — Steve (Mindy’s daddy)

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I JUST saw this last night. Someone had bought one for a person at the shelter, as a joke, and it (still in the package) was attached to the bulletin board. I took a pic of it with my camera phone but have to send it to myself so I can put it online. LOL! Donna

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Took the quiz, I’m a crazy cat lady. What’s the minimum number of cats required to be a crazy cat person?  I don’t think my wife and I qualify with just one.

If it can be a person with a crazy cat, rather than a person crazy about cats plural…

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Question:

I’m so glad he’s home and doing reasonably okay.  It can take some work to deal with asthmatic cats (I have two), but when it’s under control, they can do very well. Julie <—who’s going to join Ginger-lyn in the stop smoking campaign since I’m no longer allowed to smoke in the house. *banging head against wall*  I blew it.  *banging head against wall* I blew it.  Sigh.  Now to start all over again. . . .

I keep telling myself that this too shall pass and we’ll get through it and beyond before I know it.  I think I have to get my mind past the sight of him on Saturday night, barely breathing and the knowledge that he could have so easily died.  I’m still counting his breath and watching him closely.  I took him to the vet for daycare today but tomorrow he’ll stay at home.  He’s having fewer episode of coughing and is recovering from each one more quickly than the one before.  I have to keep reminding myself its only been 3 days (seems like a month) and it will take time for him to heal.  We start the steroid inhalants tomorrow evening.  This should be interesting.  He’s well enough now that he’s fighting me when I try to give him medication…I suppose this is a good sign.  The information the vet gave me mentioned that he could never again go outside and I had to keep windows and doors closed all the time.  But I keep thinking about Nikki who goes on walkies with Marina and spends the summer at the island.  I’m hoping that once we get the infection cleared up and the steroids in his system that we can relax more and learn to live with his illness with a little more ease than I have right now.  Its good to know there are people here that I can turn to for advice, however. Purrs for your poor headache (grin…it must hurt by now with all that banging).  I understand completely. Julie

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<some snipping   The information the vet gave me mentioned that he could never again go outside and I had to keep windows and doors closed all the time.  But I keep thinking about Nikki who goes on walkies with Marina and spends the summer at the island.  I’m hoping that once we get the infection cleared up and the steroids in his system that we can relax more and learn to live with his illness with a little more ease than I have right now.  Its good to know there are people here that I can turn to for advice, however.

I don’t understand that not going out thing. Is the vet afraid he might have allergic reactions to something or why is he supposed to stay inside? I mus admit, Nikki’s asthma is nothing close to what Sam has been experiencing. She just has these fits of coughing, but no real shortness of breath, and she recovers from the coughing fits quickly. She sometimes wheezes when she breathes, but it doesn’t seem to bother her at all. She gets the zoomies just like a kitten, and doesn’t seem to get short of breath even after ten laps around the house. I’ve read that there have been very good results with acupuncture for cats with asthma. The effect of one treatment may last up to six months. I’ve been thinking of it for Nikki, but she seems to be doing pretty well on just the Prednisone, so I’ll see about that if she gets worse. We will continue our purrs for Sam and hope the medication will make him feel better. Poor little guy, he’s had a tough life. What a lucky little cat to have such excellent slaves as you and Rusty now! — Marina, Frank and Nikki marina (dot) kurten (at) pp (dot) inet (dot) fi Pics at http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/frankiennikki/ and http://community.webshots.com/user/frankiennikki

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<snip Thank you all, again and again, for the purrs.  Hopefully we’re out of the scary forest now and in sight of the clearing.

Still purring. Julie <—who’s going to join Ginger-lyn in the stop smoking campaign since I’m no longer allowed to smoke in the house.

Good luck with the smoking, with the money you’ll save you can buy lots of cat treats. — Adrian (Owned by Snoopy & Bagheera) A house is not a home, without a cat.

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Thank you all, again and again, for the purrs.  Hopefully we’re out of the scary forest now and in sight of the clearing.

We’ll keep purring. Julie <—who’s going to join Ginger-lyn in the stop smoking campaign since I’m no longer allowed to smoke in the house.

Good for you! And you can use the savings to pay for Sam’s medications. — Victor M. Martinez Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM)

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I took left the house this morning around 6:30 am, stopped at a 24 hour pharmacy and picked up the Zithromax and Albuterol and at 7:30 I was signing Sam out of the hospital.  We stopped by our regular vet who incidentally were waiting for us.  They open at 8 am, I got there at 8:05 am, they had already received faxed copies of Sam’s medical report from the emergency clinic.  I’m very impressed with the emergency clinic.  My vet checked Sam over and gave me a lot of literature on feline asthma and a prescription for Flovent which is an inhaled steroid. She also had the feline mask I need to use with Sam.

Such good news!!  Continued purrs for Sam to overcome all that ails him. Jill

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I took left the house this morning around 6:30 am, stopped at a 24 hour pharmacy and picked up the Zithromax and Albuterol and at 7:30 I was signing Sam out of the hospital.  We stopped by our regular vet who incidentally were waiting for us.  They open at 8 am, I got there at 8:05 am, they had already received faxed copies of Sam’s medical report from the emergency clinic.  I’m very impressed with the emergency clinic.  My vet checked Sam over and gave me a lot of literature on feline asthma and a prescription for Flovent which is an inhaled steroid. She also had the feline mask I need to use with Sam. Sam was being given Brethine which is Terbutaline.  He will continue with this by oral dosage every 8 – 12 hours as needed for coughing and breathing troubles.  As long as he’s taking the Brethine he can’t be given the Albuterol but then the Albuterol is only for emergency uses anyway and I’m hoping I won’t need to use it. We got home around 9:15.  I mentioned that Sam had some trouble with constipation this weekend as well.  He hadn’t had a bowel movement and they’ve been giving him Lactulose which I was given as well to give him until his stools softened.  Well…seems he just didn’t like going in a strange box. The first thing he did was had a snack and 30 seconds later he had a very satisfying BM.  Satisfying for him. Unfortunately he scratched the curtain that was hanging near the litterbox into the box with him and used it for toilet paper I believe.  Oh well, another small sacrifice for my buddy. He wandered around for about an hour and then we all went to the bedroom for a nap.  It is strangely hypnotic counting a cat’s breath.  He woke me up with a coughing episode around noon and I thought we were going to have to head for the vet again, but he’s settled down and his breathing is about 27 breaths per minute.  He’s very soundly sleeping and doesn’t appear to be in any distress.  Its time for a Brethine tab and I think for my peace of mind I’m going to give it to him even though he doesn’t appear to need it.  I’d hate for him to suddenly need oral medication that takes about 30 minutes to work. I think tomorrow I’m going to let him spend the day with the vet just to make sure we’re in the clear and after that, if she agrees, he can stay home. Thank you all, again and again, for the purrs.  Hopefully we’re out of the scary forest now and in sight of the clearing. Julie <—who’s going to join Ginger-lyn in the stop smoking campaign since I’m no longer allowed to smoke in the house.

I guess!! But looking at Sam will really help you I bet. Poor baby. Will continue purrs for major fast and LASTING recuperation. You realize he probably would be dead by now if you had not taken him in. Please send updates.

Response:

I took left the house this morning around 6:30 am, stopped at a 24 hour pharmacy and picked up the Zithromax and Albuterol and at 7:30 I was signing Sam out of the hospital.

Blessings and purrs for the little fella.  Zithromax is powerful stuff.  I had to take acidophilus when I was taking it so it didn’t wipe out all the beneficial bacteria. Theresa Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com

Response:

I think tomorrow I’m going to let him spend the day with the vet just to make sure we’re in the clear and after that, if she agrees, he can stay home. Thank you all, again and again, for the purrs.  Hopefully we’re out of the scary forest now and in sight of the clearing. Julie <—who’s going to join Ginger-lyn in the stop smoking campaign since I’m no longer allowed to smoke in the house.

Purrs for Sam to continue to feel better, and for you to be able to stop smoking.  Sometimes I feel guilty because I won’t let anyone smoke inside the house.  Then I think of the down sides of smoking and how it would make me want to start up again if I had to smell it all the time, and I don’t regret my decision a bit. Pam S.

Response:

I am so, so, so pleased at this news.  I hope so much that his meds and inhaler will make him well again. I had to smile at how pleased you were that he pooed.  When I was nursing very ill dogs I remember how pleased I was when anything came out, liquid or solid, proving that the food and water was going through. However, I couldn’t go to work and say (shouting)  "YAY.  MY POORLY DOG POOED A GOOD FIRM POO"  which I felt like doing. They’d have all thought I was crazy. How nice to find a group that appreciates the importance to our ill furry kids of what comes out the other end and rejoices with us. Purrs for good poo and wee Tweed

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I took left the house this morning around 6:30 am, stopped at a 24 hour pharmacy and picked up the Zithromax and Albuterol and at 7:30 I was signing Sam out of the hospital.  We stopped by our regular vet who incidentally were waiting for us.  They open at 8 am, I got there at 8:05 am, they had already received faxed copies of Sam’s medical report from the emergency clinic.  I’m very impressed with the emergency clinic.  My vet checked Sam over and gave me a lot of literature on feline asthma and a prescription for Flovent which is an inhaled steroid. She also had the feline mask I need to use with Sam. Sam was being given Brethine which is Terbutaline.  He will continue with this by oral dosage every 8 – 12 hours as needed for coughing and breathing troubles.  As long as he’s taking the Brethine he can’t be given the Albuterol but then the Albuterol is only for emergency uses anyway and I’m hoping I won’t need to use it. We got home around 9:15.  I mentioned that Sam had some trouble with constipation this weekend as well.  He hadn’t had a bowel movement and they’ve been giving him Lactulose which I was given as well to give him until his stools softened.  Well…seems he just didn’t like going in a strange box. The first thing he did was had a snack and 30 seconds later he had a very satisfying BM.  Satisfying for him. Unfortunately he scratched the curtain that was hanging near the litterbox into the box with him and used it for toilet paper I believe.  Oh well, another small sacrifice for my buddy. He wandered around for about an hour and then we all went to the bedroom for a nap.  It is strangely hypnotic counting a cat’s breath.  He woke me up with a coughing episode around noon and I thought we were going to have to head for the vet again, but he’s settled down and his breathing is about 27 breaths per minute.  He’s very soundly sleeping and doesn’t appear to be in any distress.  Its time for a Brethine tab and I think for my peace of mind I’m going to give it to him even though he doesn’t appear to need it.  I’d hate for him to suddenly need oral medication that takes about 30 minutes to work. I think tomorrow I’m going to let him spend the day with the vet just to make sure we’re in the clear and after that, if she agrees, he can stay home. Thank you all, again and again, for the purrs.  Hopefully we’re out of the scary forest now and in sight of the clearing. Julie <—who’s going to join Ginger-lyn in the stop smoking campaign since I’m no longer allowed to smoke in the house.

Response:

Julie, I’m so sorry I’m late getting purrs to you.  RL has been keeping me away and I didn’t see your posts about Sam. My four are purring like crazy that Sam is out of danger now and on the road to recover. Hugs, CatNipped

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I took left the house this morning around 6:30 am, stopped at a 24 hour pharmacy and picked up the Zithromax and Albuterol and at 7:30 I was signing Sam out of the hospital.  We stopped by our regular vet who incidentally were waiting for us.  They open at 8 am, I got there at 8:05 am, they had already received faxed copies of Sam’s medical report from the emergency clinic.  I’m very impressed with the emergency clinic.  My vet checked Sam over and gave me a lot of literature on feline asthma and a prescription for Flovent which is an inhaled steroid. She also had the feline mask I need to use with Sam. Sam was being given Brethine which is Terbutaline.  He will continue with this by oral dosage every 8 – 12 hours as needed for coughing and breathing troubles.  As long as he’s taking the Brethine he can’t be given the Albuterol but then the Albuterol is only for emergency uses anyway and I’m hoping I won’t need to use it. We got home around 9:15.  I mentioned that Sam had some trouble with constipation this weekend as well.  He hadn’t had a bowel movement and they’ve been giving him Lactulose which I was given as well to give him until his stools softened.  Well…seems he just didn’t like going in a strange box. The first thing he did was had a snack and 30 seconds later he had a very satisfying BM.  Satisfying for him. Unfortunately he scratched the curtain that was hanging near the litterbox into the box with him and used it for toilet paper I believe.  Oh well, another small sacrifice for my buddy. He wandered around for about an hour and then we all went to the bedroom for a nap.  It is strangely hypnotic counting a cat’s breath.  He woke me up with a coughing episode around noon and I thought we were going to have to head for the vet again, but he’s settled down and his breathing is about 27 breaths per minute.  He’s very soundly sleeping and doesn’t appear to be in any distress.  Its time for a Brethine tab and I think for my peace of mind I’m going to give it to him even though he doesn’t appear to need it.  I’d hate for him to suddenly need oral medication that takes about 30 minutes to work. I think tomorrow I’m going to let him spend the day with the vet just to make sure we’re in the clear and after that, if she agrees, he can stay home. Thank you all, again and again, for the purrs.  Hopefully we’re out of the scary forest now and in sight of the clearing. Julie <—who’s going to join Ginger-lyn in the stop smoking campaign since I’m no longer allowed to smoke in the house.

Response:

Sounds like Sam is getting the equivalent of first-rate human respirator care!  I’m glad to hear it.

Response:

Very good to hear your update, Julie — purrs continuing for Sam. Christine

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I took left the house this morning around 6:30 am, stopped at a 24 hour pharmacy and picked up the Zithromax and Albuterol and at 7:30 I was signing Sam out of the hospital.  We stopped by our regular vet who incidentally were waiting for us.  They open at 8 am, I got there at 8:05 am, they had already received faxed copies of Sam’s medical report from the emergency clinic.  I’m very impressed with the emergency clinic.  My vet checked Sam over and gave me a lot of literature on feline asthma and a prescription for Flovent which is an inhaled steroid. She also had the feline mask I need to use with Sam. Sam was being given Brethine which is Terbutaline.  He will continue with this by oral dosage every 8 – 12 hours as needed for coughing and breathing troubles.  As long as he’s taking the Brethine he can’t be given the Albuterol but then the Albuterol is only for emergency uses anyway and I’m hoping I won’t need to use it. We got home around 9:15.  I mentioned that Sam had some trouble with constipation this weekend as well.  He hadn’t had a bowel movement and they’ve been giving him Lactulose which I was given as well to give him until his stools softened.  Well…seems he just didn’t like going in a strange box. The first thing he did was had a snack and 30 seconds later he had a very satisfying BM.  Satisfying for him. Unfortunately he scratched the curtain that was hanging near the litterbox into the box with him and used it for toilet paper I believe.  Oh well, another small sacrifice for my buddy. He wandered around for about an hour and then we all went to the bedroom for a nap.  It is strangely hypnotic counting a cat’s breath.  He woke me up with a coughing episode around noon and I thought we were going to have to head for the vet again, but he’s settled down and his breathing is about 27 breaths per minute.  He’s very soundly sleeping and doesn’t appear to be in any distress.  Its time for a Brethine tab and I think for my peace of mind I’m going to give it to him even though he doesn’t appear to need it.  I’d hate for him to suddenly need oral medication that takes about 30 minutes to work. I think tomorrow I’m going to let him spend the day with the vet just to make sure we’re in the clear and after that, if she agrees, he can stay home. Thank you all, again and again, for the purrs.  Hopefully we’re out of the scary forest now and in sight of the clearing. Julie <—who’s going to join Ginger-lyn in the stop smoking campaign since I’m no longer allowed to smoke in the house.

Response:

Purrs continuing from one Sam to another. Sam

Response:

Thank you all, again and again, for the purrs.  Hopefully we’re out of the scary forest now and in sight of the clearing.

I’m so glad to hear he’s doing better.  Purrs continuing for a full recovery. Julie <—who’s going to join Ginger-lyn in the stop smoking campaign since I’m no longer allowed to smoke in the house.

That’s wonderful.  It would be nice if you could quit for good.  Then something good for everyone would have come of this stressful episode. Good luck! — Britta Sandpaper kisses, a cuddle and a purr. I have an alarm clock that’s covered in fur! Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album

Response:

(big snip) Thank you all, again and again, for the purrs.  Hopefully we’re out of the scary forest now and in sight of the clearing. Julie <—who’s going to join Ginger-lyn in the stop smoking campaign since I’m no longer allowed to smoke in the house.

We’re still sending out purrs for your Sam, hoping that the meds will have his problem completely solved. DH and I go outside to smoke because of the kitties too.  Good luck with the quitting!   —— Krista

Response:

Continued purrs and best wishes for Sam to recover completely and hugs and best wishes for you to stop smoking, Julie, — Polonca & Soncek

<snip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thank you all, again and again, for the purrs.  Hopefully we’re out of the scary forest now and in sight of the clearing. Julie <—who’s going to join Ginger-lyn in the stop smoking campaign since I’m no longer allowed to smoke in the house.

Response:

Glad to hear Little Sammy is doing much better. Jazz & his mama — Irulan from the stars we come to the stars we return from now until the end of time

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I took left the house this morning around 6:30 am, stopped at a 24 hour pharmacy and picked up the Zithromax and Albuterol and at 7:30 I was signing Sam out of the hospital.  We stopped by our regular vet who incidentally were waiting for us.  They open at 8 am, I got there at 8:05 am, they had already received faxed copies of Sam’s medical report from the emergency clinic.  I’m very impressed with the emergency clinic.  My vet checked Sam over and gave me a lot of literature on feline asthma and a prescription for Flovent which is an inhaled steroid. She also had the feline mask I need to use with Sam. Sam was being given Brethine which is Terbutaline.  He will continue with this by oral dosage every 8 – 12 hours as needed for coughing and breathing troubles.  As long as he’s taking the Brethine he can’t be given the Albuterol but then the Albuterol is only for emergency uses anyway and I’m hoping I won’t need to use it. We got home around 9:15.  I mentioned that Sam had some trouble with constipation this weekend as well.  He hadn’t had a bowel movement and they’ve been giving him Lactulose which I was given as well to give him until his stools softened.  Well…seems he just didn’t like going in a strange box. The first thing he did was had a snack and 30 seconds later he had a very satisfying BM.  Satisfying for him. Unfortunately he scratched the curtain that was hanging near the litterbox into the box with him and used it for toilet paper I believe.  Oh well, another small sacrifice for my buddy. He wandered around for about an hour and then we all went to the bedroom for a nap.  It is strangely hypnotic counting a cat’s breath.  He woke me up with a coughing episode around noon and I thought we were going to have to head for the vet again, but he’s settled down and his breathing is about 27 breaths per minute.  He’s very soundly sleeping and doesn’t appear to be in any distress.  Its time for a Brethine tab and I think for my peace of mind I’m going to give it to him even though he doesn’t appear to need it.  I’d hate for him to suddenly need oral medication that takes about 30 minutes to work. I think tomorrow I’m going to let him spend the day with the vet just to make sure we’re in the clear and after that, if she agrees, he can stay home. Thank you all, again and again, for the purrs.  Hopefully we’re out of the scary forest now and in sight of the clearing. Julie <—who’s going to join Ginger-lyn in the stop smoking campaign since I’m no longer allowed to smoke in the house.

Response:

I think tomorrow I’m going to let him spend the day with the vet just to make sure we’re in the clear and after that, if she agrees, he can stay home. Thank you all, again and again, for the purrs.  Hopefully we’re out of the scary forest now and in sight of the clearing.

I haven’t expressed purrs for poor little Sam yet, but, of course, we’re purring for him here just as hard as we can. Regards and Purrs, O J

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I took left the house this morning around 6:30 am, stopped at a 24 hour pharmacy and picked up the Zithromax and Albuterol and at 7:30 I was signing Sam out of the hospital.  We stopped by our regular vet who incidentally were waiting for us.  They open at 8 am, I got there at 8:05 am, they had already received faxed copies of Sam’s medical report from the emergency clinic.  I’m very impressed with the emergency clinic.  My vet checked Sam over and gave me a lot of literature on feline asthma and a prescription for Flovent which is an inhaled steroid. She also had the feline mask I need to use with Sam. Sam was being given Brethine which is Terbutaline.  He will continue with this by oral dosage every 8 – 12 hours as needed for coughing and breathing troubles.  As long as he’s taking the Brethine he can’t be given the Albuterol but then the Albuterol is only for emergency uses anyway and I’m hoping I won’t need to use it. We got home around 9:15.  I mentioned that Sam had some trouble with constipation this weekend as well.  He hadn’t had a bowel movement and they’ve been giving him Lactulose which I was given as well to give him until his stools softened.  Well…seems he just didn’t like going in a strange box. The first thing he did was had a snack and 30 seconds later he had a very satisfying BM.  Satisfying for him. Unfortunately he scratched the curtain that was hanging near the litterbox into the box with him and used it for toilet paper I believe.  Oh well, another small sacrifice for my buddy. He wandered around for about an hour and then we all went to the bedroom for a nap.  It is strangely hypnotic counting a cat’s breath.  He woke me up with a coughing episode around noon and I thought we were going to have to head for the vet again, but he’s settled down and his breathing is about 27 breaths per minute.  He’s very soundly sleeping and doesn’t appear to be in any distress.  Its time for a Brethine tab and I think for my peace of mind I’m going to give it to him even though he doesn’t appear to need it.  I’d hate for him to suddenly need oral medication that takes about 30 minutes to work. I think tomorrow I’m going to let him spend the day with the vet just to make sure we’re in the clear and after that, if she agrees, he can stay home. Thank you all, again and again, for the purrs.  Hopefully we’re out of the scary forest now and in sight of the clearing.

I’m so glad he’s home and doing reasonably okay.  It can take some work to deal with asthmatic cats (I have two), but when it’s under control, they can do very well. Julie <—who’s going to join Ginger-lyn in the stop smoking campaign since I’m no longer allowed to smoke in the house.

*banging head against wall*  I blew it.  *banging head against wall* I blew it.  Sigh.  Now to start all over again. . . .

Response:

I took left the house this morning around 6:30 am, stopped at a 24 hour pharmacy and picked up the Zithromax and Albuterol and at 7:30 I was signing Sam out of the hospital.  We stopped by our regular vet who incidentally were waiting for us.  They open at 8 am, I got there at 8:05 am, they had already received faxed copies of Sam’s medical report from the emergency clinic.  I’m very impressed with the emergency clinic.  My vet checked Sam over and gave me a lot of literature on feline asthma and a prescription for Flovent which is an inhaled steroid. She also had the feline mask I need to use with Sam. Sam was being given Brethine which is Terbutaline.  He will continue with this by oral dosage every 8 – 12 hours as needed for coughing and breathing troubles.  As long as he’s taking the Brethine he can’t be given the Albuterol but then the Albuterol is only for emergency uses anyway and I’m hoping I won’t need to use it. We got home around 9:15.  I mentioned that Sam had some trouble with constipation this weekend as well.  He hadn’t had a bowel movement and they’ve been giving him Lactulose which I was given as well to give him until his stools softened.  Well…seems he just didn’t like going in a strange box. The first thing he did was had a snack and 30 seconds later he had a very satisfying BM.  Satisfying for him. Unfortunately he scratched the curtain that was hanging near the litterbox into the box with him and used it for toilet paper I believe.  Oh well, another small sacrifice for my buddy. He wandered around for about an hour and then we all went to the bedroom for a nap.  It is strangely hypnotic counting a cat’s breath.  He woke me up with a coughing episode around noon and I thought we were going to have to head for the vet again, but he’s settled down and his breathing is about 27 breaths per minute.  He’s very soundly sleeping and doesn’t appear to be in any distress.  Its time for a Brethine tab and I think for my peace of mind I’m going to give it to him even though he doesn’t appear to need it.  I’d hate for him to suddenly need oral medication that takes about 30 minutes to work. I think tomorrow I’m going to let him spend the day with the vet just to make sure we’re in the clear and after that, if she agrees, he can stay home. Thank you all, again and again, for the purrs.  Hopefully we’re out of the scary forest now and in sight of the clearing. Julie <—who’s going to join Ginger-lyn in the stop smoking campaign since I’m no longer allowed to smoke in the house.

Response:

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – That was the story of me and my half brother. His last name was Blackwell, so everyone called him Blackie. My middle name is Patrick, and everyone called me Pat until I left high school for the military. For years I thought my name was Black-Pat. At least, that’s what Mom called me. And about half the time, when we were small, she called my brother Pat-Blackie. My mother has always got me, Tish, and my sister, Vicky, mixed up, so we are known to her as "Vish-and-Ticky".  She calls both of us "Vish-and-Ticky" and leaves it up to us to sort out who she’s calling. If we get it wrong Mum yells out "no, the other one".  Lucky for Mum my sister now lives far away in London, so there is no source of confusion. Naturally, such a tendancy is heritable.  I discovered, to my eternal embarrassment, that I’d inherited the problem when I kept calling my flatmate by my boyfriend’s name and visa-versa.  Thank G*d that I never made that mistake in the bedroom!  Fortunately the problem stopped when I moved out from the flat and in with my boyfriend (now my husband of 8 years).

LOL! My younger sister’s curse is to be forever known as "Vic-lizabeth" lol. For some unfathomable reason my father took to caling me "Plum" (after Victoria Plums, I think) amd so there was also "Plumbeth" for my poor sister. Being the eldest, I was lucky and rarely if ever got "Elizatoria", although I still answer to it. And I also answer to Elizabeth and Liz as well, just for good measure (and my sister answers to Vicky and Victoria just the same) Yowie

Response:

That was the story of me and my half brother. His last name was Blackwell, so everyone called him Blackie. My middle name is Patrick, and everyone called me Pat until I left high school for the military. For years I thought my name was Black-Pat. At least, that’s what Mom called me. And about half the time, when we were small, she called my brother Pat-Blackie.

Being the eldest, I usually got called by my own name. My grandad was the best for this kind of behaviour. He called my sister "Jeanette why Wendy", my youngest sister was "Jeanette why Wendy why Claire", and my poor little brother was "Jeanette why Wendy why Claire why Mark".

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – That was the story of me and my half brother. His last name was Blackwell, so everyone called him Blackie. My middle name is Patrick, and everyone called me Pat until I left high school for the military. For years I thought my name was Black-Pat. At least, that’s what Mom called me. And about half the time, when we were small, she called my brother Pat-Blackie. My mother has always got me, Tish, and my sister, Vicky, mixed up, so we are known to her as "Vish-and-Ticky".  She calls both of us "Vish-and-Ticky" and leaves it up to us to sort out who she’s calling. If we get it wrong Mum yells out "no, the other one".  Lucky for Mum my sister now lives far away in London, so there is no source of confusion. Naturally, such a tendancy is heritable.  I discovered, to my eternal embarrassment, that I’d inherited the problem when I kept calling my flatmate by my boyfriend’s name and visa-versa.  Thank G*d that I never made that mistake in the bedroom!  Fortunately the problem stopped when I moved out from the flat and in with my boyfriend (now my husband of 8 years). Tish

LOL, of the seven boyfriends I’ve had in my life, two were called Andrew and two were called Adrian. It did give me some cover on some occasions, but when I first started dating the current Adrian (who I’m now married to, and have been with for fourteen years), it took about three years for me to stop calling him Andrew by mistake. Jeanette

Response:

That was the story of me and my half brother. His last name was Blackwell, so everyone called him Blackie. My middle name is Patrick, and everyone called me Pat until I left high school for the military. For years I thought my name was Black-Pat. At least, that’s what Mom called me. And about half the time, when we were small, she called my brother Pat-Blackie. It’s very hard to have two cats with names so similar.  "Shado–err– shamrock!!"  lol

– The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.

Response:

That was the story of me and my half brother. His last name was Blackwell, so everyone called him Blackie. My middle name is Patrick, and everyone called me Pat until I left high school for the military. For years I thought my name was Black-Pat. At least, that’s what Mom called me. And about half the time, when we were small, she called my brother Pat-Blackie.

My mother has always got me, Tish, and my sister, Vicky, mixed up, so we are known to her as "Vish-and-Ticky".  She calls both of us "Vish-and-Ticky" and leaves it up to us to sort out who she’s calling. If we get it wrong Mum yells out "no, the other one".  Lucky for Mum my sister now lives far away in London, so there is no source of confusion.   Naturally, such a tendancy is heritable.  I discovered, to my eternal embarrassment, that I’d inherited the problem when I kept calling my flatmate by my boyfriend’s name and visa-versa.  Thank G*d that I never made that mistake in the bedroom!  Fortunately the problem stopped when I moved out from the flat and in with my boyfriend (now my husband of 8 years). Tish — What’s mine is mine and what’s yours is mine too.  Columbine cat

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – )  Things we’ll do for them *period*.  Don’t know anything about Lasix, but from your account of the visit it sounds like they are both hanging in there. Aging sucks. PS Internet?  What do you call him when shouting for him?  Netty? lol! j/k.. cute name! Hey, he picked it!  I tried out over 100 names on him to see if he’d respond, and nada.  Tossed out "Internet" purely as a joke, and he meowed immediately.  Silliest name I ever heard of for a cat, but thats what he wanted.  And I do actually call for him as Internet, though I admit I use Nettie as a nickname, too Ginger-lyn

lol!  I’ve only had to name one cat, the others already came with names. Shamrock was all I could come up with given the day I took him in to foster him. Of course at that time I didn’t know I was keeping him. It’s very hard to have two cats with names so similar.  "Shado–err– shamrock!!"  lol

Response:

lol!  I’ve only had to name one cat, the others already came with names. Shamrock was all I could come up with given the day I took him in to foster him. Of course at that time I didn’t know I was keeping him. It’s very hard to have two cats with names so similar.  "Shado–err– shamrock!!"  lol

The names don’t even have to be similar. I frequently call Frank Nikki and Nikki Frank. Goes for hoomins, too. I have two older sisters, and ever since I was a baby, my Mum has called me Sol-An-Marina. Do your cats know their names? I could imagine that, with names that similar, they wouldn’t know the difference between Shadow and Shamrock. — Marina

Response:

You are a wonderful meowmie! I’m sure your kitties appreciate all that you do for them. I don’t know anything about the medicine, but if they say it works wonders, I’d believe it. Best wishes and purrs for you and your kitties, — Polonca & Soncek

Took Cosmo and Internet in this week for a visit to TED.  <snip

 The things I’ll do to get cat food! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ginger-lyn

Response:

)  Things we’ll do for them *period*.  Don’t know anything about Lasix, but from your account of the visit it sounds like they are both hanging in there. Aging sucks. PS Internet?  What do you call him when shouting for him?  Netty?  lol! j/k.. cute name!

Hey, he picked it!  I tried out over 100 names on him to see if he’d respond, and nada.  Tossed out "Internet" purely as a joke, and he meowed immediately.  Silliest name I ever heard of for a cat, but thats what he wanted.  And I do actually call for him as Internet, though I admit I use Nettie as a nickname, too Ginger-lyn

Response:

Purrs for your furkids from us — hope the new meds and foods help.  Also, many purrs for the worried cat meowmie! Christine, Omar, Midnight, Shetra & Oreo

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Took Cosmo and Internet in this week for a visit to TED.  Both are having breathing difficulties  Internet has asthma, and is on 1/2 prednisolone every other day, but it doesn’t seem to be doing the job lately. They were quite vocal as usual in the car ride over.  Internet has breathing problems, but you would never know it from the volume of his protesting meows! TED suggested trying Internet on the pred every day for 4-5 days, and then try backing off to every other day again.  We’ll see if this works.  He also got a heck of an ear cleaning, since he has a problem with wax buildup.  I’ve been treating him for recurring ear problems with an occasional short course of Panalog ointment, but was almost out.  The vet said if I had any left, frame it, since they’re no longer making it.  Got some ear cleaning liquid instead to do once a week. Cosmo has CRF and a heart murmur.  He’s also our crankiest cat, and it’s very difficult to get him to sit still for grooming, and he will *not* allow me to trim his claws.  So Cosmo got the razor treatment for a small patch where he had a couple of mats, as well as all his claws trimmed.  He was, of course, a perfect gentleman. Unfortunately, he also has fluid building up in his lungs.   TED didn’t think it was enough to aspirate at this point, so he is now on 1/2 tab of Lasix every day.  :-(  At least I *can* get a pill down him, thank heavens.  This is a new one for me.  Anyone know anything about Lasix?  I have heard that it can work wonders, but that you have to watch the potassium levels in CRF cats.  I was trying to ask the vet about this, but that’s the other part of the story. Cosmo is sick of the k/d food he’s been on for 2-1/2 years, so I took in a list and my Hill’s manual.  Vet decided to try him on g/d, but didn’t have any in stock, so I had to go back Thursday to pick some up.  Thursday the weather report said a chance of a shower. Chance, hell!  I’m in the office, having taken three busses to get there, and needing to catch a bus in 10 minutes.  Can I get in and out in 10 minutes?  Good question!  I tell the nice vet tech this, and he rushes off to the back to get the food, brings it out, and tells me they’ll bill me so I can be on my way.  It starts raining.  Heavily. I ask for a couple of large plastic bags to put Cosmo’s g/d and Brando’s w/d in to keep them dry, and he rushes off to get those. Meanwhile, I’m trying to quickly fill in TED about how Cosmo’s doing and ask the question about the potassium, while he is also trying to talk to another person there. Worried I’ll miss my bus, I run outside with my umbrella up, lugging a heavy garbage bag of food.  Needn’t have bothered with the umbrella; the wind was blowing curtains of rain straight on me anyway.  I run back to the little overhang outside the vet’s door, which doesn’t help, either.  By now, I’m pretty well soaked.  No bus in sight.  A lovely young woman named Alison pokes her head out of the clinic and offers to give me a ride.  Yes!  Thank you!  We are driving down the street to my appointment, barely able to see a foot in front of us, with the streets filling up with water.  Yikes!  She lets me out, and I stand under a bus shelter for a minute to grab a smoke, watching the rain pour and the intense lightning strike all around.  Finally get up the nerve to run across the street towards my appointment.  No lightning struck me, but I was soaked to the skin by the time I got there. The things I’ll do to get cat food! Ginger-lyn

Response:

Took Cosmo and Internet in this week for a visit to TED.  Both are having breathing difficulties  Internet has asthma, and is on 1/2 prednisolone every other day, but it doesn’t seem to be doing the job lately. They were quite vocal as usual in the car ride over.  Internet has breathing problems, but you would never know it from the volume of his protesting meows! TED suggested trying Internet on the pred every day for 4-5 days, and then try backing off to every other day again.  We’ll see if this works.  He also got a heck of an ear cleaning, since he has a problem with wax buildup.  I’ve been treating him for recurring ear problems with an occasional short course of Panalog ointment, but was almost out.  The vet said if I had any left, frame it, since they’re no longer making it.  Got some ear cleaning liquid instead to do once a week. Cosmo has CRF and a heart murmur.  He’s also our crankiest cat, and it’s very difficult to get him to sit still for grooming, and he will *not* allow me to trim his claws.  So Cosmo got the razor treatment for a small patch where he had a couple of mats, as well as all his claws trimmed.  He was, of course, a perfect gentleman. Unfortunately, he also has fluid building up in his lungs.   TED didn’t think it was enough to aspirate at this point, so he is now on 1/2 tab of Lasix every day.  :-(  At least I *can* get a pill down him, thank heavens.  This is a new one for me.  Anyone know anything about Lasix?  I have heard that it can work wonders, but that you have to watch the potassium levels in CRF cats.  I was trying to ask the vet about this, but that’s the other part of the story. Cosmo is sick of the k/d food he’s been on for 2-1/2 years, so I took in a list and my Hill’s manual.  Vet decided to try him on g/d, but didn’t have any in stock, so I had to go back Thursday to pick some up.  Thursday the weather report said a chance of a shower. Chance, hell!  I’m in the office, having taken three busses to get there, and needing to catch a bus in 10 minutes.  Can I get in and out in 10 minutes?  Good question!  I tell the nice vet tech this, and he rushes off to the back to get the food, brings it out, and tells me they’ll bill me so I can be on my way.  It starts raining.  Heavily. I ask for a couple of large plastic bags to put Cosmo’s g/d and Brando’s w/d in to keep them dry, and he rushes off to get those. Meanwhile, I’m trying to quickly fill in TED about how Cosmo’s doing and ask the question about the potassium, while he is also trying to talk to another person there. Worried I’ll miss my bus, I run outside with my umbrella up, lugging a heavy garbage bag of food.  Needn’t have bothered with the umbrella; the wind was blowing curtains of rain straight on me anyway.  I run back to the little overhang outside the vet’s door, which doesn’t help, either.  By now, I’m pretty well soaked.  No bus in sight.  A lovely young woman named Alison pokes her head out of the clinic and offers to give me a ride.  Yes!  Thank you!  We are driving down the street to my appointment, barely able to see a foot in front of us, with the streets filling up with water.  Yikes!  She lets me out, and I stand under a bus shelter for a minute to grab a smoke, watching the rain pour and the intense lightning strike all around.  Finally get up the nerve to run across the street towards my appointment.  No lightning struck me, but I was soaked to the skin by the time I got there. The things I’ll do to get cat food! Ginger-lyn

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Took Cosmo and Internet in this week for a visit to TED.  Both are having breathing difficulties  Internet has asthma, and is on 1/2 prednisolone every other day, but it doesn’t seem to be doing the job lately. They were quite vocal as usual in the car ride over.  Internet has breathing problems, but you would never know it from the volume of his protesting meows! TED suggested trying Internet on the pred every day for 4-5 days, and then try backing off to every other day again.  We’ll see if this works.  He also got a heck of an ear cleaning, since he has a problem with wax buildup.  I’ve been treating him for recurring ear problems with an occasional short course of Panalog ointment, but was almost out.  The vet said if I had any left, frame it, since they’re no longer making it.  Got some ear cleaning liquid instead to do once a week. Cosmo has CRF and a heart murmur.  He’s also our crankiest cat, and it’s very difficult to get him to sit still for grooming, and he will *not* allow me to trim his claws.  So Cosmo got the razor treatment for a small patch where he had a couple of mats, as well as all his claws trimmed.  He was, of course, a perfect gentleman. Unfortunately, he also has fluid building up in his lungs.   TED didn’t think it was enough to aspirate at this point, so he is now on 1/2 tab of Lasix every day.  :-(  At least I *can* get a pill down him, thank heavens.  This is a new one for me.  Anyone know anything about Lasix?  I have heard that it can work wonders, but that you have to watch the potassium levels in CRF cats.  I was trying to ask the vet about this, but that’s the other part of the story. Cosmo is sick of the k/d food he’s been on for 2-1/2 years, so I took in a list and my Hill’s manual.  Vet decided to try him on g/d, but didn’t have any in stock, so I had to go back Thursday to pick some up.  Thursday the weather report said a chance of a shower. Chance, hell!  I’m in the office, having taken three busses to get there, and needing to catch a bus in 10 minutes.  Can I get in and out in 10 minutes?  Good question!  I tell the nice vet tech this, and he rushes off to the back to get the food, brings it out, and tells me they’ll bill me so I can be on my way.  It starts raining.  Heavily. I ask for a couple of large plastic bags to put Cosmo’s g/d and Brando’s w/d in to keep them dry, and he rushes off to get those. Meanwhile, I’m trying to quickly fill in TED about how Cosmo’s doing and ask the question about the potassium, while he is also trying to talk to another person there. Worried I’ll miss my bus, I run outside with my umbrella up, lugging a heavy garbage bag of food.  Needn’t have bothered with the umbrella; the wind was blowing curtains of rain straight on me anyway.  I run back to the little overhang outside the vet’s door, which doesn’t help, either.  By now, I’m pretty well soaked.  No bus in sight.  A lovely young woman named Alison pokes her head out of the clinic and offers to give me a ride.  Yes!  Thank you!  We are driving down the street to my appointment, barely able to see a foot in front of us, with the streets filling up with water.  Yikes!  She lets me out, and I stand under a bus shelter for a minute to grab a smoke, watching the rain pour and the intense lightning strike all around.  Finally get up the nerve to run across the street towards my appointment.  No lightning struck me, but I was soaked to the skin by the time I got there. The things I’ll do to get cat food! Ginger-lyn

 :))  Things we’ll do for them *period*.  Don’t know anything about Lasix, but from your account of the visit it sounds like they are both hanging in there. Aging sucks. PS Internet?  What do you call him when shouting for him?  Netty?  lol! j/k.. cute name!

Response:

  We use a babyhaler spacer device.  It is a long plastic chamber which has a   soft cap at one end that fits over Thalia’s nose and a slot at the other end   into which fits the  Salbutamol container.  The idea is to keep the spacer   device on Thalia’s face for up to two minutes after we have released one   puff of the medication into the chamber.  If she is too stressed out to   accept the babyhaler, we can  put her into a closed box, release the same   amount of med into the box and let her breathe it in. Oh, I know about those chamber things. I had one of those for a while. It helps get the chemical into your system more effectively. I can see why it would be good for a baby or a cat. Thanks for the info! (I don’t have asthmatic cats, but it’s still good to know about.) Joyce

Response:

We use a babyhaler spacer device.  It is a long plastic chamber which has a soft cap at one end that fits over Thalia’s nose and a slot at the other end into which fits the  Salbutamol container.  The idea is to keep the spacer device on Thalia’s face for up to two minutes after we have released one puff of the medication into the chamber.  If she is too stressed out to accept the babyhaler, we can  put her into a closed box, release the same amount of med into the box and let her breathe it in. Sheenah

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –   I’m sorry to hear about your cats health problems.  I also have   an asthmatic cat, Thalia whose condition I am trying to control   with pred and also an inhaled bronchodilator. Wow, how do you get a cat to take a puff off an inhaler? I have a hard enough time getting *myself* to get a good puff sometimes! How does it work? Just curious, Joyce

Response:

  I’m sorry to hear about your cats health problems.  I also have   an asthmatic cat, Thalia whose condition I am trying to control   with pred and also an inhaled bronchodilator. Wow, how do you get a cat to take a puff off an inhaler? I have a hard enough time getting *myself* to get a good puff sometimes! How does it work? Just curious, Joyce

Response:

My CRF cat gets 1/2 tablet of what is called Fortekor here (Benazepryl hydrochloride), is that the same as Lasix ? Nanny – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Cosmo has CRF and a heart murmur.  He’s also our crankiest cat, and it’s very difficult to get him to sit still for grooming, and he will *not* allow me to trim his claws.  So Cosmo got the razor treatment for a small patch where he had a couple of mats, as well as all his claws trimmed.  He was, of course, a perfect gentleman. Unfortunately, he also has fluid building up in his lungs.   TED didn’t think it was enough to aspirate at this point, so he is now on 1/2 tab of Lasix every day.  :-(  At least I *can* get a pill down him, thank heavens.  This is a new one for me.  Anyone know anything about Lasix?  I have heard that it can work wonders, but that you have to watch the potassium levels in CRF cats.  I was trying to ask the vet about this, but that’s the other part of the story. All I know about Lasix is that in humans it makes you pee a lot and removes the pooling of fluids in the lower extremities and elsewhere in the body as a result. I hope your cats respond favorably to the change in meds and diet. Purrs, CATherine

Response:

Cosmo has CRF and a heart murmur.  He’s also our crankiest cat, and it’s very difficult to get him to sit still for grooming, and he will *not* allow me to trim his claws.  So Cosmo got the razor treatment for a small patch where he had a couple of mats, as well as all his claws trimmed.  He was, of course, a perfect gentleman. Unfortunately, he also has fluid building up in his lungs.   TED didn’t think it was enough to aspirate at this point, so he is now on 1/2 tab of Lasix every day.  :-(  At least I *can* get a pill down him, thank heavens.  This is a new one for me.  Anyone know anything about Lasix?  I have heard that it can work wonders, but that you have to watch the potassium levels in CRF cats.  I was trying to ask the vet about this, but that’s the other part of the story.

All I know about Lasix is that in humans it makes you pee a lot and removes the pooling of fluids in the lower extremities and elsewhere in the body as a result. I hope your cats respond favorably to the change in meds and diet. Purrs, CATherine

Response:

I’m sorry to hear about your cats health problems.  I also have an asthmatic cat, Thalia whose condition I am trying to control with pred and also an inhaled bronchodilator.  I also have two cats with heart problems (Megan and Sylvia), one of whom recently had a little fluid on her lungs, (Megan) and one whose kidneys may be failing (Gemma).  In response to your request for info about Lasix, I wonder if the members of the Yahoo support group for people whose cats have CRF may be able to help you.  Like the groups dedicated to feline asthma and cats with heart problems, its members have first hand knowledge of this condition and willingly share it.  The website www.peteducation.com  may also offer provide helpful information. If you do not know about the Yahoo CRF support group and would like its addresses, please let me know. Sheenah

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Took Cosmo and Internet in this week for a visit to TED.  Both are having breathing difficulties  Internet has asthma, and is on 1/2 prednisolone every other day, but it doesn’t seem to be doing the job lately. snip Cosmo has CRF and a heart murmur.  He’s also our crankiest cat, and it’s very difficult to get him to sit still for grooming, and he will *not* allow me to trim his claws.  So Cosmo got the razor treatment for a small patch where he had a couple of mats, as well as all his claws trimmed.  He was, of course, a perfect gentleman. Unfortunately, he also has fluid building up in his lungs.   TED didn’t think it was enough to aspirate at this point, so he is now on 1/2 tab of Lasix every day.  :-(  At least I *can* get a pill down him, thank heavens.  This is a new one for me.  Anyone know anything about Lasix?  I have heard that it can work wonders, but that you have to watch the potassium levels in CRF cats.  I was trying to ask the vet about this, but that’s the other part of the story. snip Ginger-lyn

Response:

You are SUCH a good kitty slave.  You must have very very good trainers. Tell them to keep up the good work!

<snip story of trips to TED – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The things I’ll do to get cat food! Ginger-lyn

Response:

Purrs that your boys perk up. Please keep us posted. Karen

Response:

Question:

I came home and read a lot of info on feline asthma, but for right now I guess the best thing to do is wait and not worry.

Right! )) it may still be nothing at all ))

Response:

   First off, clip her nails, then try giving her lots of pets and praise, make it a pleasant experience. Seeing as it’s a powder why don’t you get some empty gelatine caps from your pharmacist, fill them with powder, cover them with butter and pop them down her throat..

It actually is in gelatine caps… I open them and use the powder, even if the baby’s nails are always perfecty clipped (4 paws kneader… adorable thing but *ouch*) I have two more cats to take care of so I need to preserve my life ) Remember the how to pill a cat joke? Just let me tell you that after spaying her the vet was _afraid_ to come near the carrier )) (she didn’t sue me for having her spay a miniature tiger… my vet is a real saint!) Thank you for the idea, anyway

Response:

Buy a can of a/d (a very tasty wet food) from your vet and try offering a small portion with the powder well mixed in.  Slightly warm the a/d after it has been medicated before adding the medication.

Is a/d someting for recovery/underweight cats? in this case, how long do you think an open can can last, as I will have to use only a tiny spoonful a day? Our funny heart makes it necessary for us to keep a cat-model’s shape… and I know the kitten’s mom (cat): underweight stray to overweight housecat in less than a month… and her owner is not the cat-stuffer type…. we can’t risk

Response:

Whoops!  Typo — I meant to say warm the a/d after it has been refrigerated but BEFORE you add the medication.  Sorry.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well, you could put her in the bedroom with the door closed so the other kitties can’t get to her. Lauren I tried )) ROTFL! She didn’t roll in the sheets… maybe it’s the only thing she didn’t do She was so upset that she jumped everywhere trying to set herself free… so now I have hairball paste everywhere on the walls )))))) I think this cat’s mission is never to allow me to get bored )))

Oh no!  Sorry  I had a cat once that as soon as you put hairball paste on her, she would go run in between the vertical blinds.  I hope you don’t have vertical blinds.  It sounds like your kitty sure did a number on the bedroom.  I think you’re right about her mission Lauren =^..^= Sandpaper kisses on a cheek or a chin-that is the way for a day to  begin! See my cats:   http://www.picturetrail.com/mickey4paws/703043

Response:

Oh no!  Sorry

oh no it’s not your fault ) no matter how I cat-proof my house and my life, she will always find a way to mess everything up and confuse me )))) I just wanted to share a laugh! (BTW I had decided that if the heart medicines had made her lethargic or somehow less lively, I would stop the cure and let her live a shorter life but in her style… so, thanks God she’s so much of a pest about the medicines… it means I can take care of her funny heart and keep believing that she’ll manage to kill herself by jumping to the cieling while hunting flies, long before her heart fails her ))) )

Response:

I found it easiest to grind up the pills with spoons, mix the powder into 1ml of water, melted butter, or cat milk, and just syringe it into the back of the mouth with a tiny syringe

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve not got much advice for you but sympathy as my cat is having to start steroid tablets – one a day for life. He’s starting off on injections but then I am hoping to get one of these long pill grabs that the vet uses to put the pill beyond reach of him being able to spit it out. Guess I will have to use a blanket or wear gloves too. Good luck.

Response:

(BTW I had decided that if the heart medicines had made her lethargic or somehow less lively, I would stop the cure and let her live a shorter life but in her style… so, thanks God she’s so much of a pest about the medicines… it means I can take care of her funny heart and keep believing that she’ll manage to kill herself by jumping to the cieling while hunting flies, long before her heart fails her ))) )

What exactly is she diagnosed with?  I vaguely recall in one of my Whole Cat Journals they talked about treating heart disease.  If that’s what your cat has, I can look to see if I can find the issue. Lauren =^..^= Sandpaper kisses on a cheek or a chin-that is the way for a day to  begin! See my cats:   http://www.picturetrail.com/mickey4paws/703043

Response:

What exactly is she diagnosed with?  I vaguely recall in one of my Whole Cat Journals they talked about treating heart disease.  If that’s what your cat has, I can look to see if I can find the issue.

She has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or the same thing with another spelling On a side note: "whole cat" litterally translated to Italian is the most common way to define a cat that has not been spayed/neutered ) more seriously, I’d be very curious if you find something about this medicines yet, but if I can do anything to help him naturally, that would be great Thanks

Response:

She has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or the same thing with another spelling

I am curious what her symptoms were??   I just notice yesterday that one of my cats (2-3 yrs old) would pant whenever he ran across the living room chasing his ball.  He never panted until it was very hot and humid last week, and that was understandable.  Yesterday was downright cool, and that was when I saw the trouble with exertion. His gums look pink to me, but the first thing I thought of was cardiomyopathy, or some other heart disease.   Teri

Response:

I am curious what her symptoms were??  

From the little I have learnt on it, HCM has no symptoms at all, in most cases. And even when the symptoms show up, they can be very different: heart murmur is very typical but it’s not always due to HCM. Otherwise the cat can have a sort of collapse, due to the blood suddenly not arriving everywhere for a second and fluid buildup in the lungs. In this case you have the cat half fainted, panting, sometimes drooling. My other cat does this sometimes, it’s really ugly The ugliest should be paralysis of the back legs, together with cat arfing for breath, like when it’s too hot in the car. My advice is not to stay worried: just ask your vet to have an echocardiography done on your baby: just 5 minutes and if it’s nothing you can stop worrying forever )))

Response:

My advice is not to stay worried: just ask your vet to have an echocardiography done on your baby: just 5 minutes and if it’s nothing you can stop worrying forever )))

He has a Dr. appt for Wednesday.  I am more worried now.   I doubt if they will do the ultrasound right then, but I hope so. Teri

Response:

He has a Dr. appt for Wednesday.  I am more worried now.   I doubt if they will do the ultrasound right then, but I hope so.

Good luck!! and whatever happens, remember: there’s nothing we can do about the lenght of their life. We are only here to make them happy cats, every single day we are given to share with them!!!

Response:

Good luck!!

Thanks. and whatever happens, remember: there’s nothing we can do about the lenght of their life. We are only here to make them happy cats, every single day we are given to share with them!!!

I have to take him back for the tests.  Firday they will do a CXR and lab work – blood count, leukemia and FIV for sure, not sure what else for starters.  The Dr. said she heard a slight wheeze, so the X-ray would be checking for asthma.  If that shows nothing, then there is more lab work and an EKG.  I am giving him aminophylline for now, and I changed his litter brand (Saturday I started a new bag of the same stuff I usually use but it was "improved") .  I came home and read a lot of info on feline asthma, but for right now I guess the best thing to do is wait and not worry. Teri

Response:

The trick might be to put the medication in a treat your cat has never had before and so won’t detect the slight difference in taste or texture the medication creates. Buy a can of a/d (a very tasty wet food) from your vet and try offering a small portion with the powder well mixed in.  Slightly warm the a/d after it has been medicated before adding the medication. This is a tried-and-true method in the House of Many Cats (house ferals, that is).  Good luck. Sharon Talbert Friends of Campus Cats www.campuscats.org

Response:

Buy a can of a/d (a very tasty wet food) from your vet and try offering a small portion with the powder well mixed in.  Slightly warm the a/d after it has been medicated before adding the medication.

Whoops!  Typo — I meant to say warm the a/d after it has been refrigerated but BEFORE you add the medication.  Sorry. Sharon T.

Response:

Well, you could put her in the bedroom with the door closed so the other kitties can’t get to her.

Lauren I tried )) ROTFL! She didn’t roll in the sheets… maybe it’s the only thing she didn’t do She was so upset that she jumped everywhere trying to set herself free… so now I have hairball paste everywhere on the walls )))))) I think this cat’s mission is never to allow me to get bored )))

Response:

I’ve not got much advice for you but sympathy as my cat is having to start steroid tablets – one a day for life.

A big scritch to your cat… and a virtual hug to you!

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So, considering that she had no side effects at all my youngest cat will be taking Tenormin for the rest of her life (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). She is just 1 year old so we hope that thanks to the medicine this will be a rather long life. She is the "stray inside" kind of cat: as sweet as you can imagine when she feels like, and absolutely feral when it comes to things she doesn’t like, let it be going in the carrier or being held/touched when she doesn’t want to. I had the pharmacist prepare the cat doses in powder, so that I can mix it with small quantities of food she likes and have her eat it from a spoon. 1st day I went for the easy thing, powder+hairball paste: she accepted it. Second day, she noticed the trick and I had to spread the paste on her paw so that she licked it to clean herself. Day 3, I used the "sauce" from her wet food. OK. Day 4, sauce on the paw (and she shook half of it on the floor ) Day 5, I mixed the powder with butter and spread it straight on her belly (so that she couldn’t shake it away). One scratch for me kitty meow, lay on her back and… called brother and sister to clean her (((( My house is made so that it’s practically impossible to isolate the "kitten" until she ate all the medicine, and anyway doing it would mean more scratches for me (and i have an awful skin, scratch marks never go away ). So please, if you have any idea/recipe/trick to share with me… I’m ready to try anything, I only have 4 hours in the evening to pass with my cats and I’d hate to spend one for every other day of her life chasing her to pill her….

    First off, clip her nails, then try giving her lots of pets and praise, make it a pleasant experience. Seeing as it’s a powder why don’t you get some empty gelatine caps from your pharmacist, fill them with powder, cover them with butter and pop them down her throat.. Lyle Thank you! Laura&cats

– http://www.geocities.com/childrenarecats/Our_Pets.html

Response:

So, considering that she had no side effects at all my youngest cat will be taking Tenormin for the rest of her life (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). She is just 1 year old so we hope that thanks to the medicine this will be a rather long life. She is the "stray inside" kind of cat: as sweet as you can imagine when she feels like, and absolutely feral when it comes to things she doesn’t like, let it be going in the carrier or being held/touched when she doesn’t want to. I had the pharmacist prepare the cat doses in powder, so that I can mix it with small quantities of food she likes and have her eat it from a spoon. 1st day I went for the easy thing, powder+hairball paste: she accepted it. Second day, she noticed the trick and I had to spread the paste on her paw so that she licked it to clean herself. Day 3, I used the "sauce" from her wet food. OK. Day 4, sauce on the paw (and she shook half of it on the floor ) Day 5, I mixed the powder with butter and spread it straight on her belly (so that she couldn’t shake it away). One scratch for me kitty meow, lay on her back and… called brother and sister to clean her (((( My house is made so that it’s practically impossible to isolate the "kitten" until she ate all the medicine, and anyway doing it would mean more scratches for me (and i have an awful skin, scratch marks never go away ). So please, if you have any idea/recipe/trick to share with me… I’m ready to try anything, I only have 4 hours in the evening to pass with my cats and I’d hate to spend one for every other day of her life chasing her to pill her…. Thank you! Laura&cats

Response:

I’ve not got much advice for you but sympathy as my cat is having to start steroid tablets – one a day for life. He’s starting off on injections but then I am hoping to get one of these long pill grabs that the vet uses to put the pill beyond reach of him being able to spit it out. Guess I will have to use a blanket or wear gloves too. Good luck.

Response:

Day 4, sauce on the paw (and she shook half of it on the floor ) Day 5, I mixed the powder with butter and spread it straight on her belly (so that she couldn’t shake it away). One scratch for me kitty meow, lay on her back and… called brother and sister to clean her ((((

Well, you could put her in the bedroom with the door closed so the other kitties can’t get to her.  Leave her in there for about 15 minutes after you have put the paste on the upper thigh area of her rear leg.  What if you mix the powder with a little bit of water and then mix it in with her food?  Does this stuff have a bad taste/smell? Lauren =^..^= Sandpaper kisses on a cheek or a chin-that is the way for a day to  begin! See my cats:   http://www.picturetrail.com/mickey4paws/703043

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Well, you could put her in the bedroom with the door closed so the other kitties can’t get to her.  Leave her in there for about 15 minutes after you have put the paste on the upper thigh area of her rear leg.  What if you mix the powder with a little bit of water and then mix it in with her food?  Does this stuff have a bad taste/smell?

Response:

Well, you could put her in the bedroom with the door closed so the other kitties can’t get to her.  Leave her in there for about 15 minutes after you have put the paste on the upper thigh area of her rear leg.

I’ll try that… unless she understand that she can clean herself by rolling in the sheets (I adore this cat, she’s almost as clever&bitchy as her human mom ) What if you mix the powder with a little bit of water and then mix it in with her food?  Does this stuff have a bad taste/smell?

No smell at all: I can’t tell you the taste because my bloodpressure is significantly low and although a cat dose may not kill me I’d better not risk ) The fact is that I have solved all the jealousy/cohabitation problems between my cats by setting an absolute rule: the good things of a cat’s life can only be shared. So: one toy at a time, one kitty basket… and most of all, one bowl for the three of them! I like it, they like it, brother&sister always get the same "treat" without medicine inside… I am afraid that dividing them on lunchtimes can bring us back where we were last year… it’d so lovely to see them doing things together that I don’t want to break the spell… and you know, it’s not a month treatment, it’s the rest of our life… Thank you for your advice ))

Response:

I came home and read a lot of info on feline asthma, but for right now I guess the best thing to do is wait and not worry.

Right! )) it may still be nothing at all ))

Response:

   First off, clip her nails, then try giving her lots of pets and praise, make it a pleasant experience. Seeing as it’s a powder why don’t you get some empty gelatine caps from your pharmacist, fill them with powder, cover them with butter and pop them down her throat..

It actually is in gelatine caps… I open them and use the powder, even if the baby’s nails are always perfecty clipped (4 paws kneader… adorable thing but *ouch*) I have two more cats to take care of so I need to preserve my life ) Remember the how to pill a cat joke? Just let me tell you that after spaying her the vet was _afraid_ to come near the carrier )) (she didn’t sue me for having her spay a miniature tiger… my vet is a real saint!) Thank you for the idea, anyway

Response:

Buy a can of a/d (a very tasty wet food) from your vet and try offering a small portion with the powder well mixed in.  Slightly warm the a/d after it has been medicated before adding the medication.

Is a/d someting for recovery/underweight cats? in this case, how long do you think an open can can last, as I will have to use only a tiny spoonful a day? Our funny heart makes it necessary for us to keep a cat-model’s shape… and I know the kitten’s mom (cat): underweight stray to overweight housecat in less than a month… and her owner is not the cat-stuffer type…. we can’t risk

Response:

Whoops!  Typo — I meant to say warm the a/d after it has been refrigerated but BEFORE you add the medication.  Sorry.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well, you could put her in the bedroom with the door closed so the other kitties can’t get to her. Lauren I tried )) ROTFL! She didn’t roll in the sheets… maybe it’s the only thing she didn’t do She was so upset that she jumped everywhere trying to set herself free… so now I have hairball paste everywhere on the walls )))))) I think this cat’s mission is never to allow me to get bored )))

Oh no!  Sorry  I had a cat once that as soon as you put hairball paste on her, she would go run in between the vertical blinds.  I hope you don’t have vertical blinds.  It sounds like your kitty sure did a number on the bedroom.  I think you’re right about her mission Lauren =^..^= Sandpaper kisses on a cheek or a chin-that is the way for a day to  begin! See my cats:   http://www.picturetrail.com/mickey4paws/703043

Response:

Oh no!  Sorry

oh no it’s not your fault ) no matter how I cat-proof my house and my life, she will always find a way to mess everything up and confuse me )))) I just wanted to share a laugh! (BTW I had decided that if the heart medicines had made her lethargic or somehow less lively, I would stop the cure and let her live a shorter life but in her style… so, thanks God she’s so much of a pest about the medicines… it means I can take care of her funny heart and keep believing that she’ll manage to kill herself by jumping to the cieling while hunting flies, long before her heart fails her ))) )

Response:

I found it easiest to grind up the pills with spoons, mix the powder into 1ml of water, melted butter, or cat milk, and just syringe it into the back of the mouth with a tiny syringe

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve not got much advice for you but sympathy as my cat is having to start steroid tablets – one a day for life. He’s starting off on injections but then I am hoping to get one of these long pill grabs that the vet uses to put the pill beyond reach of him being able to spit it out. Guess I will have to use a blanket or wear gloves too. Good luck.

Response:

(BTW I had decided that if the heart medicines had made her lethargic or somehow less lively, I would stop the cure and let her live a shorter life but in her style… so, thanks God she’s so much of a pest about the medicines… it means I can take care of her funny heart and keep believing that she’ll manage to kill herself by jumping to the cieling while hunting flies, long before her heart fails her ))) )

What exactly is she diagnosed with?  I vaguely recall in one of my Whole Cat Journals they talked about treating heart disease.  If that’s what your cat has, I can look to see if I can find the issue. Lauren =^..^= Sandpaper kisses on a cheek or a chin-that is the way for a day to  begin! See my cats:   http://www.picturetrail.com/mickey4paws/703043

Response:

What exactly is she diagnosed with?  I vaguely recall in one of my Whole Cat Journals they talked about treating heart disease.  If that’s what your cat has, I can look to see if I can find the issue.

She has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or the same thing with another spelling On a side note: "whole cat" litterally translated to Italian is the most common way to define a cat that has not been spayed/neutered ) more seriously, I’d be very curious if you find something about this medicines yet, but if I can do anything to help him naturally, that would be great Thanks

Response:

She has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or the same thing with another spelling

I am curious what her symptoms were??   I just notice yesterday that one of my cats (2-3 yrs old) would pant whenever he ran across the living room chasing his ball.  He never panted until it was very hot and humid last week, and that was understandable.  Yesterday was downright cool, and that was when I saw the trouble with exertion. His gums look pink to me, but the first thing I thought of was cardiomyopathy, or some other heart disease.   Teri

Response:

I am curious what her symptoms were??  

From the little I have learnt on it, HCM has no symptoms at all, in most cases. And even when the symptoms show up, they can be very different: heart murmur is very typical but it’s not always due to HCM. Otherwise the cat can have a sort of collapse, due to the blood suddenly not arriving everywhere for a second and fluid buildup in the lungs. In this case you have the cat half fainted, panting, sometimes drooling. My other cat does this sometimes, it’s really ugly The ugliest should be paralysis of the back legs, together with cat arfing for breath, like when it’s too hot in the car. My advice is not to stay worried: just ask your vet to have an echocardiography done on your baby: just 5 minutes and if it’s nothing you can stop worrying forever )))

Response:

My advice is not to stay worried: just ask your vet to have an echocardiography done on your baby: just 5 minutes and if it’s nothing you can stop worrying forever )))

He has a Dr. appt for Wednesday.  I am more worried now.   I doubt if they will do the ultrasound right then, but I hope so. Teri

Response:

He has a Dr. appt for Wednesday.  I am more worried now.   I doubt if they will do the ultrasound right then, but I hope so.

Good luck!! and whatever happens, remember: there’s nothing we can do about the lenght of their life. We are only here to make them happy cats, every single day we are given to share with them!!!

Response:

Good luck!!

Thanks. and whatever happens, remember: there’s nothing we can do about the lenght of their life. We are only here to make them happy cats, every single day we are given to share with them!!!

I have to take him back for the tests.  Firday they will do a CXR and lab work – blood count, leukemia and FIV for sure, not sure what else for starters.  The Dr. said she heard a slight wheeze, so the X-ray would be checking for asthma.  If that shows nothing, then there is more lab work and an EKG.  I am giving him aminophylline for now, and I changed his litter brand (Saturday I started a new bag of the same stuff I usually use but it was "improved") .  I came home and read a lot of info on feline asthma, but for right now I guess the best thing to do is wait and not worry. Teri

Response:

The trick might be to put the medication in a treat your cat has never had before and so won’t detect the slight difference in taste or texture the medication creates. Buy a can of a/d (a very tasty wet food) from your vet and try offering a small portion with the powder well mixed in.  Slightly warm the a/d after it has been medicated before adding the medication. This is a tried-and-true method in the House of Many Cats (house ferals, that is).  Good luck. Sharon Talbert Friends of Campus Cats www.campuscats.org

Response:

Buy a can of a/d (a very tasty wet food) from your vet and try offering a small portion with the powder well mixed in.  Slightly warm the a/d after it has been medicated before adding the medication.

Whoops!  Typo — I meant to say warm the a/d after it has been refrigerated but BEFORE you add the medication.  Sorry. Sharon T.

Response:

Well, you could put her in the bedroom with the door closed so the other kitties can’t get to her.

Lauren I tried )) ROTFL! She didn’t roll in the sheets… maybe it’s the only thing she didn’t do She was so upset that she jumped everywhere trying to set herself free… so now I have hairball paste everywhere on the walls )))))) I think this cat’s mission is never to allow me to get bored )))

Response:

I’ve not got much advice for you but sympathy as my cat is having to start steroid tablets – one a day for life.

A big scritch to your cat… and a virtual hug to you!

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So, considering that she had no side effects at all my youngest cat will be taking Tenormin for the rest of her life (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). She is just 1 year old so we hope that thanks to the medicine this will be a rather long life. She is the "stray inside" kind of cat: as sweet as you can imagine when she feels like, and absolutely feral when it comes to things she doesn’t like, let it be going in the carrier or being held/touched when she doesn’t want to. I had the pharmacist prepare the cat doses in powder, so that I can mix it with small quantities of food she likes and have her eat it from a spoon. 1st day I went for the easy thing, powder+hairball paste: she accepted it. Second day, she noticed the trick and I had to spread the paste on her paw so that she licked it to clean herself. Day 3, I used the "sauce" from her wet food. OK. Day 4, sauce on the paw (and she shook half of it on the floor ) Day 5, I mixed the powder with butter and spread it straight on her belly (so that she couldn’t shake it away). One scratch for me kitty meow, lay on her back and… called brother and sister to clean her (((( My house is made so that it’s practically impossible to isolate the "kitten" until she ate all the medicine, and anyway doing it would mean more scratches for me (and i have an awful skin, scratch marks never go away ). So please, if you have any idea/recipe/trick to share with me… I’m ready to try anything, I only have 4 hours in the evening to pass with my cats and I’d hate to spend one for every other day of her life chasing her to pill her….

    First off, clip her nails, then try giving her lots of pets and praise, make it a pleasant experience. Seeing as it’s a powder why don’t you get some empty gelatine caps from your pharmacist, fill them with powder, cover them with butter and pop them down her throat.. Lyle Thank you! Laura&cats

– http://www.geocities.com/childrenarecats/Our_Pets.html

Response:

So, considering that she had no side effects at all my youngest cat will be taking Tenormin for the rest of her life (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). She is just 1 year old so we hope that thanks to the medicine this will be a rather long life. She is the "stray inside" kind of cat: as sweet as you can imagine when she feels like, and absolutely feral when it comes to things she doesn’t like, let it be going in the carrier or being held/touched when she doesn’t want to. I had the pharmacist prepare the cat doses in powder, so that I can mix it with small quantities of food she likes and have her eat it from a spoon. 1st day I went for the easy thing, powder+hairball paste: she accepted it. Second day, she noticed the trick and I had to spread the paste on her paw so that she licked it to clean herself. Day 3, I used the "sauce" from her wet food. OK. Day 4, sauce on the paw (and she shook half of it on the floor ) Day 5, I mixed the powder with butter and spread it straight on her belly (so that she couldn’t shake it away). One scratch for me kitty meow, lay on her back and… called brother and sister to clean her (((( My house is made so that it’s practically impossible to isolate the "kitten" until she ate all the medicine, and anyway doing it would mean more scratches for me (and i have an awful skin, scratch marks never go away ). So please, if you have any idea/recipe/trick to share with me… I’m ready to try anything, I only have 4 hours in the evening to pass with my cats and I’d hate to spend one for every other day of her life chasing her to pill her…. Thank you! Laura&cats

Response:

I’ve not got much advice for you but sympathy as my cat is having to start steroid tablets – one a day for life. He’s starting off on injections but then I am hoping to get one of these long pill grabs that the vet uses to put the pill beyond reach of him being able to spit it out. Guess I will have to use a blanket or wear gloves too. Good luck.

Response:

Day 4, sauce on the paw (and she shook half of it on the floor ) Day 5, I mixed the powder with butter and spread it straight on her belly (so that she couldn’t shake it away). One scratch for me kitty meow, lay on her back and… called brother and sister to clean her ((((

Well, you could put her in the bedroom with the door closed so the other kitties can’t get to her.  Leave her in there for about 15 minutes after you have put the paste on the upper thigh area of her rear leg.  What if you mix the powder with a little bit of water and then mix it in with her food?  Does this stuff have a bad taste/smell? Lauren =^..^= Sandpaper kisses on a cheek or a chin-that is the way for a day to  begin! See my cats:   http://www.picturetrail.com/mickey4paws/703043

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Well, you could put her in the bedroom with the door closed so the other kitties can’t get to her.  Leave her in there for about 15 minutes after you have put the paste on the upper thigh area of her rear leg.  What if you mix the powder with a little bit of water and then mix it in with her food?  Does this stuff have a bad taste/smell?

Response:

Well, you could put her in the bedroom with the door closed so the other kitties can’t get to her.  Leave her in there for about 15 minutes after you have put the paste on the upper thigh area of her rear leg.

I’ll try that… unless she understand that she can clean herself by rolling in the sheets (I adore this cat, she’s almost as clever&bitchy as her human mom ) What if you mix the powder with a little bit of water and then mix it in with her food?  Does this stuff have a bad taste/smell?

No smell at all: I can’t tell you the taste because my bloodpressure is significantly low and although a cat dose may not kill me I’d better not risk ) The fact is that I have solved all the jealousy/cohabitation problems between my cats by setting an absolute rule: the good things of a cat’s life can only be shared. So: one toy at a time, one kitty basket… and most of all, one bowl for the three of them! I like it, they like it, brother&sister always get the same "treat" without medicine inside… I am afraid that dividing them on lunchtimes can bring us back where we were last year… it’d so lovely to see them doing things together that I don’t want to break the spell… and you know, it’s not a month treatment, it’s the rest of our life… Thank you for your advice ))

Response:

I came home and read a lot of info on feline asthma, but for right now I guess the best thing to do is wait and not worry.

Right! )) it may still be nothing at all ))

Response:

   First off, clip her nails, then try giving her lots of pets and praise, make it a pleasant experience. Seeing as it’s a powder why don’t you get some empty gelatine caps from your pharmacist, fill them with powder, cover them with butter and pop them down her throat..

It actually is in gelatine caps… I open them and use the powder, even if the baby’s nails are always perfecty clipped (4 paws kneader… adorable thing but *ouch*) I have two more cats to take care of so I need to preserve my life ) Remember the how to pill a cat joke? Just let me tell you that after spaying her the vet was _afraid_ to come near the carrier )) (she didn’t sue me for having her spay a miniature tiger… my vet is a real saint!) Thank you for the idea, anyway

Response:

Buy a can of a/d (a very tasty wet food) from your vet and try offering a small portion with the powder well mixed in.  Slightly warm the a/d after it has been medicated before adding the medication.

Is a/d someting for recovery/underweight cats? in this case, how long do you think an open can can last, as I will have to use only a tiny spoonful a day? Our funny heart makes it necessary for us to keep a cat-model’s shape… and I know the kitten’s mom (cat): underweight stray to overweight housecat in less than a month… and her owner is not the cat-stuffer type…. we can’t risk

Response:

Whoops!  Typo — I meant to say warm the a/d after it has been refrigerated but BEFORE you add the medication.  Sorry.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well, you could put her in the bedroom with the door closed so the other kitties can’t get to her. Lauren I tried )) ROTFL! She didn’t roll in the sheets… maybe it’s the only thing she didn’t do She was so upset that she jumped everywhere trying to set herself free… so now I have hairball paste everywhere on the walls )))))) I think this cat’s mission is never to allow me to get bored )))

Oh no!  Sorry  I had a cat once that as soon as you put hairball paste on her, she would go run in between the vertical blinds.  I hope you don’t have vertical blinds.  It sounds like your kitty sure did a number on the bedroom.  I think you’re right about her mission Lauren =^..^= Sandpaper kisses on a cheek or a chin-that is the way for a day to  begin! See my cats:   http://www.picturetrail.com/mickey4paws/703043

Response:

Oh no!  Sorry

oh no it’s not your fault ) no matter how I cat-proof my house and my life, she will always find a way to mess everything up and confuse me )))) I just wanted to share a laugh! (BTW I had decided that if the heart medicines had made her lethargic or somehow less lively, I would stop the cure and let her live a shorter life but in her style… so, thanks God she’s so much of a pest about the medicines… it means I can take care of her funny heart and keep believing that she’ll manage to kill herself by jumping to the cieling while hunting flies, long before her heart fails her ))) )

Response:

I found it easiest to grind up the pills with spoons, mix the powder into 1ml of water, melted butter, or cat milk, and just syringe it into the back of the mouth with a tiny syringe

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve not got much advice for you but sympathy as my cat is having to start steroid tablets – one a day for life. He’s starting off on injections but then I am hoping to get one of these long pill grabs that the vet uses to put the pill beyond reach of him being able to spit it out. Guess I will have to use a blanket or wear gloves too. Good luck.

Response:

(BTW I had decided that if the heart medicines had made her lethargic or somehow less lively, I would stop the cure and let her live a shorter life but in her style… so, thanks God she’s so much of a pest about the medicines… it means I can take care of her funny heart and keep believing that she’ll manage to kill herself by jumping to the cieling while hunting flies, long before her heart fails her ))) )

What exactly is she diagnosed with?  I vaguely recall in one of my Whole Cat Journals they talked about treating heart disease.  If that’s what your cat has, I can look to see if I can find the issue. Lauren =^..^= Sandpaper kisses on a cheek or a chin-that is the way for a day to  begin! See my cats:   http://www.picturetrail.com/mickey4paws/703043

Response:

What exactly is she diagnosed with?  I vaguely recall in one of my Whole Cat Journals they talked about treating heart disease.  If that’s what your cat has, I can look to see if I can find the issue.

She has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or the same thing with another spelling On a side note: "whole cat" litterally translated to Italian is the most common way to define a cat that has not been spayed/neutered ) more seriously, I’d be very curious if you find something about this medicines yet, but if I can do anything to help him naturally, that would be great Thanks

Response:

She has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or the same thing with another spelling

I am curious what her symptoms were??   I just notice yesterday that one of my cats (2-3 yrs old) would pant whenever he ran across the living room chasing his ball.  He never panted until it was very hot and humid last week, and that was understandable.  Yesterday was downright cool, and that was when I saw the trouble with exertion. His gums look pink to me, but the first thing I thought of was cardiomyopathy, or some other heart disease.   Teri

Response:

I am curious what her symptoms were??  

From the little I have learnt on it, HCM has no symptoms at all, in most cases. And even when the symptoms show up, they can be very different: heart murmur is very typical but it’s not always due to HCM. Otherwise the cat can have a sort of collapse, due to the blood suddenly not arriving everywhere for a second and fluid buildup in the lungs. In this case you have the cat half fainted, panting, sometimes drooling. My other cat does this sometimes, it’s really ugly The ugliest should be paralysis of the back legs, together with cat arfing for breath, like when it’s too hot in the car. My advice is not to stay worried: just ask your vet to have an echocardiography done on your baby: just 5 minutes and if it’s nothing you can stop worrying forever )))

Response:

My advice is not to stay worried: just ask your vet to have an echocardiography done on your baby: just 5 minutes and if it’s nothing you can stop worrying forever )))

He has a Dr. appt for Wednesday.  I am more worried now.   I doubt if they will do the ultrasound right then, but I hope so. Teri

Response:

He has a Dr. appt for Wednesday.  I am more worried now.   I doubt if they will do the ultrasound right then, but I hope so.

Good luck!! and whatever happens, remember: there’s nothing we can do about the lenght of their life. We are only here to make them happy cats, every single day we are given to share with them!!!

Response:

Good luck!!

Thanks. and whatever happens, remember: there’s nothing we can do about the lenght of their life. We are only here to make them happy cats, every single day we are given to share with them!!!

I have to take him back for the tests.  Firday they will do a CXR and lab work – blood count, leukemia and FIV for sure, not sure what else for starters.  The Dr. said she heard a slight wheeze, so the X-ray would be checking for asthma.  If that shows nothing, then there is more lab work and an EKG.  I am giving him aminophylline for now, and I changed his litter brand (Saturday I started a new bag of the same stuff I usually use but it was "improved") .  I came home and read a lot of info on feline asthma, but for right now I guess the best thing to do is wait and not worry. Teri

Response:

The trick might be to put the medication in a treat your cat has never had before and so won’t detect the slight difference in taste or texture the medication creates. Buy a can of a/d (a very tasty wet food) from your vet and try offering a small portion with the powder well mixed in.  Slightly warm the a/d after it has been medicated before adding the medication. This is a tried-and-true method in the House of Many Cats (house ferals, that is).  Good luck. Sharon Talbert Friends of Campus Cats www.campuscats.org

Response:

Buy a can of a/d (a very tasty wet food) from your vet and try offering a small portion with the powder well mixed in.  Slightly warm the a/d after it has been medicated before adding the medication.

Whoops!  Typo — I meant to say warm the a/d after it has been refrigerated but BEFORE you add the medication.  Sorry. Sharon T.

Response:

Well, you could put her in the bedroom with the door closed so the other kitties can’t get to her.

Lauren I tried )) ROTFL! She didn’t roll in the sheets… maybe it’s the only thing she didn’t do She was so upset that she jumped everywhere trying to set herself free… so now I have hairball paste everywhere on the walls )))))) I think this cat’s mission is never to allow me to get bored )))

Response:

I’ve not got much advice for you but sympathy as my cat is having to start steroid tablets – one a day for life.

A big scritch to your cat… and a virtual hug to you!

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So, considering that she had no side effects at all my youngest cat will be taking Tenormin for the rest of her life (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). She is just 1 year old so we hope that thanks to the medicine this will be a rather long life. She is the "stray inside" kind of cat: as sweet as you can imagine when she feels like, and absolutely feral when it comes to things she doesn’t like, let it be going in the carrier or being held/touched when she doesn’t want to. I had the pharmacist prepare the cat doses in powder, so that I can mix it with small quantities of food she likes and have her eat it from a spoon. 1st day I went for the easy thing, powder+hairball paste: she accepted it. Second day, she noticed the trick and I had to spread the paste on her paw so that she licked it to clean herself. Day 3, I used the "sauce" from her wet food. OK. Day 4, sauce on the paw (and she shook half of it on the floor ) Day 5, I mixed the powder with butter and spread it straight on her belly (so that she couldn’t shake it away). One scratch for me kitty meow, lay on her back and… called brother and sister to clean her (((( My house is made so that it’s practically impossible to isolate the "kitten" until she ate all the medicine, and anyway doing it would mean more scratches for me (and i have an awful skin, scratch marks never go away ). So please, if you have any idea/recipe/trick to share with me… I’m ready to try anything, I only have 4 hours in the evening to pass with my cats and I’d hate to spend one for every other day of her life chasing her to pill her….

    First off, clip her nails, then try giving her lots of pets and praise, make it a pleasant experience. Seeing as it’s a powder why don’t you get some empty gelatine caps from your pharmacist, fill them with powder, cover them with butter and pop them down her throat.. Lyle Thank you! Laura&cats

– http://www.geocities.com/childrenarecats/Our_Pets.html

Response:

So, considering that she had no side effects at all my youngest cat will be taking Tenormin for the rest of her life (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). She is just 1 year old so we hope that thanks to the medicine this will be a rather long life. She is the "stray inside" kind of cat: as sweet as you can imagine when she feels like, and absolutely feral when it comes to things she doesn’t like, let it be going in the carrier or being held/touched when she doesn’t want to. I had the pharmacist prepare the cat doses in powder, so that I can mix it with small quantities of food she likes and have her eat it from a spoon. 1st day I went for the easy thing, powder+hairball paste: she accepted it. Second day, she noticed the trick and I had to spread the paste on her paw so that she licked it to clean herself. Day 3, I used the "sauce" from her wet food. OK. Day 4, sauce on the paw (and she shook half of it on the floor ) Day 5, I mixed the powder with butter and spread it straight on her belly (so that she couldn’t shake it away). One scratch for me kitty meow, lay on her back and… called brother and sister to clean her (((( My house is made so that it’s practically impossible to isolate the "kitten" until she ate all the medicine, and anyway doing it would mean more scratches for me (and i have an awful skin, scratch marks never go away ). So please, if you have any idea/recipe/trick to share with me… I’m ready to try anything, I only have 4 hours in the evening to pass with my cats and I’d hate to spend one for every other day of her life chasing her to pill her…. Thank you! Laura&cats

Response:

I’ve not got much advice for you but sympathy as my cat is having to start steroid tablets – one a day for life. He’s starting off on injections but then I am hoping to get one of these long pill grabs that the vet uses to put the pill beyond reach of him being able to spit it out. Guess I will have to use a blanket or wear gloves too. Good luck.

Response:

Day 4, sauce on the paw (and she shook half of it on the floor ) Day 5, I mixed the powder with butter and spread it straight on her belly (so that she couldn’t shake it away). One scratch for me kitty meow, lay on her back and… called brother and sister to clean her ((((

Well, you could put her in the bedroom with the door closed so the other kitties can’t get to her.  Leave her in there for about 15 minutes after you have put the paste on the upper thigh area of her rear leg.  What if you mix the powder with a little bit of water and then mix it in with her food?  Does this stuff have a bad taste/smell? Lauren =^..^= Sandpaper kisses on a cheek or a chin-that is the way for a day to  begin! See my cats:   http://www.picturetrail.com/mickey4paws/703043

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Well, you could put her in the bedroom with the door closed so the other kitties can’t get to her.  Leave her in there for about 15 minutes after you have put the paste on the upper thigh area of her rear leg.  What if you mix the powder with a little bit of water and then mix it in with her food?  Does this stuff have a bad taste/smell?

Response:

Well, you could put her in the bedroom with the door closed so the other kitties can’t get to her.  Leave her in there for about 15 minutes after you have put the paste on the upper thigh area of her rear leg.

I’ll try that… unless she understand that she can clean herself by rolling in the sheets (I adore this cat, she’s almost as clever&bitchy as her human mom ) What if you mix the powder with a little bit of water and then mix it in with her food?  Does this stuff have a bad taste/smell?

No smell at all: I can’t tell you the taste because my bloodpressure is significantly low and although a cat dose may not kill me I’d better not risk ) The fact is that I have solved all the jealousy/cohabitation problems between my cats by setting an absolute rule: the good things of a cat’s life can only be shared. So: one toy at a time, one kitty basket… and most of all, one bowl for the three of them! I like it, they like it, brother&sister always get the same "treat" without medicine inside… I am afraid that dividing them on lunchtimes can bring us back where we were last year… it’d so lovely to see them doing things together that I don’t want to break the spell… and you know, it’s not a month treatment, it’s the rest of our life… Thank you for your advice ))

Response:

Question:

My doctor did not dx me with asthma until he actually did some kind of test that if you have asthma you will go into a full respitory attack.  I believe that is the only way that they can find out if for sure you have it if they have any questions.  But of course only the asthma doctor can do this because it could be very dangerous. Janet

Response:

I prefer to think that there must be a common cause for the increase in human asthma and feline asthma. Do you have a cite for the increase in feline asthma?  The link you posted did not discuss it.  And A Medline search did not find any articles that discussed it.

Even if he does show that it is being diagnosed more in cats that still would not mean that the true incidence is increasing. It is logical to hypothesize that the increased awareness in people has filtered over to the vets and they are also just diagnosing it more. In this case Steve would be right – they would have a common cause. — CBI, MD

Response:

Colin, veterinary scientists have noted a sharp increase in FELINE asthma over the last 20-25 years or so. The symptoms of asthma in cats, are so similar to asthma in humans, that it’s hard to dismiss this as a coincidence:

I was just pointing out that it is highly unlikely that there is any single ’cause’ for the increase in asthma diagnosis. BTW, as a trivia note: Some asthmatic cats are allergic to people. http://www.cfainc.org/health/asthma.html I prefer to think that there must be a common cause for the increase in human asthma and feline asthma.

Do you have a cite for the increase in feline asthma?  The link you posted did not discuss it.  And A Medline search did not find any articles that discussed it. "…there is always a well-known solution to every human problem–neat, plausible, and wrong."    H. L. Mencken

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The following site has been set up to encourage research into a potential cause of increased asthma over recent years. Please reference the site, and send your feedback. Unfortunately the answer is not as easy as your site indicates. For example:  How much of the apparent increase in the incidence of asthma is due to the fact that doctors are now aggressively screening for asthma?  How much of the apparent increase in the incidence of asthma due to overdiagnosis (for example doctors diagnosing asthma when the problem is simple bronchitis). How much of the apparent increase in asthma is due to the decrease in childhood mortality?  (Instead of dying at a young age asthmatics live to reproduce – thus producing children with a predisposition for asthma).

Colin, veterinary scientists have noted a sharp increase in FELINE asthma over the last 20-25 years or so. The symptoms of asthma in cats, are so similar to asthma in humans, that it’s hard to dismiss this as a coincidence: http://www.cfainc.org/health/asthma.html I prefer to think that there must be a common cause for the increase in human asthma and feline asthma. — Steven D. Litvintchouk                  

Response:

The following site has been set up to encourage research into a potential cause of increased asthma over recent years. Please reference the site, and send your feedback. http://www.new-asthma.uk.net

Response:

The following site has been set up to encourage research into a potential cause of increased asthma over recent years. Please reference the site, and send your feedback.

Unfortunately the answer is not as easy as your site indicates. For example:  How much of the apparent increase in the incidence of asthma is due to the fact that doctors are now aggressively screening for asthma?  How much of the apparent increase in the incidence of asthma due to overdiagnosis (for example doctors diagnosing asthma when the problem is simple bronchitis). How much of the apparent increase in asthma is due to the decrease in childhood mortality?  (Instead of dying at a young age asthmatics live to reproduce – thus producing children with a predisposition for asthma). "…there is always a well-known solution to every human problem–neat, plausible, and wrong."    H. L. Mencken

Response:

The following site has been set up to encourage research into a potential cause of increased asthma over recent years. Please reference the site, and send your feedback. http://www.new-asthma.uk.net

I see several problems: – First, there is simply no hard evidence (e.g., culture, bronchoscopy) that asthmatics have any kind of chronic anaerobic infection.  You seem to have created this entire theory out of personal experience with trying Flagyl on yourself and your daughter.  Maybe you and your daughter did have some kind of chronic infection, I don’t know.  But there’s no reason to assume that all other asthmatics do. – You believe that multiple courses of penicillin allow anaerobic superinfections to occur.  There’s no hard evidence for that either. (Contrast that with the mountain of evidence that penicillin and other antibiotics can cause fungal superinfections, such as the notorious vaginal yeast infections in women.  In fact, the Mayo Clinic is researching the possibility that chronic sinusitis may be caused by unsuspected fungal infections.) – Many young children are born with asthma, long before they’ve had multiple courses of penicillin.  There are also lots of people who are allergic to penicillin, haven’t had it in decades–and then developed adult-onset asthma anyway. – Scientists have also noted an apparent sharp increase in FELINE asthma in the U.S..  (For instance, my ex-girlfriend’s pet cat had asthma.) Domesticated cats don’t take the same frequency of antibiotics that humans do, they don’t have the same bacterial flora that humans do, and they sure as hell don’t live the same lifestyle we humans do.  Any theory that explains the increase in asthma among humans, should also explain its increase among these other mammals.  It’s hard to dismiss it as a coincidence. – Your theory of anaerobes sounds strikingly similar to Dr. Crook’s theory of systemic candidiasis, except you’re discussing anaerobes instead of yeast.  The symptoms you describe are similar, the mechanism (antibiotics causing superinfection) is similar, etc.  So how are we to choose between these two theories?  Have you even considered whether fungi might be involved, rather than anaerobes? — Steven D. Litvintchouk                  

Response:

Question:

my cat has had  a bad chest for a month or so. he’s been to the vets who says he has a heavy mucas coming from his bronchial tract. he tries to cough up phlegm now and then but nothing comes out. he sneezes a bit too. His breath smells awful. He doesn’t seem ill in any other way. he’s still full of life and has a healthy appetite. The vet says he doesn’t know what this condition is.

A trans-tracheal aspiration biopsy would clue him in….   The trans-tracheal aspiration biopsy is a technique to produce a sample of the cells and/or other material inside the lungs and windpipes. Under mild anesthesia, a catheter is placed either down a tracheal tube into the lungs. A small amount of saline solution is flushed into the lungs and quickly suctioned back into a syringe. The fluid can then be analyzed using cytologic techniques, providing valuable information about the respiratory system. Its not an invasive test – there’s no cutting. Coughing can also be a sign of heartworm disease, bacterial endocarditis, cardiomyopathy, fungal pneumonia – to name a few.  Fluid in the lungs is suggestive of cardiomyopathy.  If I were you, I’d get a second opinion ASAP which would include x-rays, or ideally, ultrasounds. Please do not delay. Good luck. Phil PS: Dump your present vet. — "With the qualities of cleanliness, discretion, affection, patience,         dignity, and courage that cats have, how many of us,    I ask you, would be capable of being cats?’ –Fernand Mery         Feline Healthcare & More:  http://maxshouse.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – my cat is a 3year old male. Before I take him to another vet for a second opinion, does anyone have an idea what could be wrong with him? please email me on dave  uk

Response:

Good call, Phil !! I have some friends in 2 cat groups at http://www.egroups.com Refered them to http://www.maxshouse.com – good answers to cat’s health problems. Joe Hansen

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – my cat has had  a bad chest for a month or so. he’s been to the vets who says he has a heavy mucas coming from his bronchial tract. he tries to cough up phlegm now and then but nothing comes out. he sneezes a bit too. His breath smells awful. He doesn’t seem ill in any other way. he’s still full of life and has a healthy appetite. The vet says he doesn’t know what this condition is. A trans-tracheal aspiration biopsy would clue him in….   The trans-tracheal aspiration biopsy is a technique to produce a sample of the cells and/or other material inside the lungs and windpipes. Under mild anesthesia, a catheter is placed either down a tracheal tube into the lungs. A small amount of saline solution is flushed into the lungs and quickly suctioned back into a syringe. The fluid can then be analyzed using cytologic techniques, providing valuable information about the respiratory system. Its not an invasive test – there’s no cutting. Coughing can also be a sign of heartworm disease, bacterial endocarditis, cardiomyopathy, fungal pneumonia – to name a few.  Fluid in the lungs is suggestive of cardiomyopathy.  If I were you, I’d get a second opinion ASAP which would include x-rays, or ideally, ultrasounds. Please do not delay. Good luck. Phil PS: Dump your present vet. — "With the qualities of cleanliness, discretion, affection, patience,         dignity, and courage that cats have, how many of us,    I ask you, would be capable of being cats?’ –Fernand Mery         Feline Healthcare & More:  http://maxshouse.com my cat is a 3year old male. Before I take him to another vet for a second opinion, does anyone have an idea what could be wrong with him? please email me on dave  uk

Response:

my cat has had  a bad chest for a month or so. he’s been to the vets who says he has a heavy mucas coming from his bronchial tract. he tries to cough up phlegm now and then but nothing comes out. he sneezes a bit too. His breath smells awful. He doesn’t seem ill in any other way. he’s still full of life and has a healthy appetite. The vet says he doesn’t know what this condition is. my cat is a 3year old male. Before I take him to another vet for a second opinion, does anyone have an idea what could be wrong with him? please email me on dave  uk

Response:

If the problem origonates in the bronchial tubes like you say… possible problems could be chronic Bronchitis which could definitely lead to accumulation of mucus/pus in the bronchi. Another possibility is Feline Asthma… however I tend to doubt this because of the mucus you mention. (However Bronchitis can RESULT  as a sequel to feline asthma). It’s possible the infection could be in the lungs themselves, in which case it may be pneumonia (I also doubt this because your vet would (should) pick this out immediately as it’s a serious condition. Note that the most common cause of difficulty breathing in cats is caused by pleural effusion (a build up of fluid in the chest cavity).  What colour are his gums? All in all, I’m personally leaning towards a bronchitis type of infection because of the excess mucus you (your vet) mentions. See another vet as soon as possible for a second diagnosis.  No vet should just say he/she doesn’t know, and then not research until they find out. Kelly

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – my cat has had  a bad chest for a month or so. he’s been to the vets who says he has a heavy mucas coming from his bronchial tract. he tries to cough up phlegm now and then but nothing comes out. he sneezes a bit too. His breath smells awful. He doesn’t seem ill in any other way. he’s still full of life and has a healthy appetite. The vet says he doesn’t know what this condition is. my cat is a 3year old male. Before I take him to another vet for a second opinion, does anyone have an idea what could be wrong with him? please email me on dave  uk

Response:

I’ve lost a few cats because of vets that said they "didn’t know".  I don’t trust many of them, now.  Get thee to a new vet. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – my cat has had  a bad chest for a month or so. he’s been to the vets who says he has a heavy mucas coming from his bronchial tract. he tries to cough up phlegm now and then but nothing comes out. he sneezes a bit too. His breath smells awful. He doesn’t seem ill in any other way. he’s still full of life and has a healthy appetite. The vet says he doesn’t know what this condition is. my cat is a 3year old male. Before I take him to another vet for a second opinion, does anyone have an idea what could be wrong with him? please email me on dave  uk

Response:

my cat has had  a bad chest for a month or so. he’s been to the vets who says he has a heavy mucas coming from his bronchial tract. he tries to cough up phlegm now and then but nothing comes out. he sneezes a bit too. His breath smells awful. He doesn’t seem ill in any other way. he’s still full of life and has a healthy appetite. The vet says he doesn’t know what this condition is.

A trans-tracheal aspiration biopsy would clue him in….   The trans-tracheal aspiration biopsy is a technique to produce a sample of the cells and/or other material inside the lungs and windpipes. Under mild anesthesia, a catheter is placed either down a tracheal tube into the lungs. A small amount of saline solution is flushed into the lungs and quickly suctioned back into a syringe. The fluid can then be analyzed using cytologic techniques, providing valuable information about the respiratory system. Its not an invasive test – there’s no cutting. Coughing can also be a sign of heartworm disease, bacterial endocarditis, cardiomyopathy, fungal pneumonia – to name a few.  Fluid in the lungs is suggestive of cardiomyopathy.  If I were you, I’d get a second opinion ASAP which would include x-rays, or ideally, ultrasounds. Please do not delay. Good luck. Phil PS: Dump your present vet. — "With the qualities of cleanliness, discretion, affection, patience,         dignity, and courage that cats have, how many of us,    I ask you, would be capable of being cats?’ –Fernand Mery         Feline Healthcare & More:  http://maxshouse.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – my cat is a 3year old male. Before I take him to another vet for a second opinion, does anyone have an idea what could be wrong with him? please email me on dave  uk

Response:

Good call, Phil !! I have some friends in 2 cat groups at http://www.egroups.com Refered them to http://www.maxshouse.com – good answers to cat’s health problems. Joe Hansen

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – my cat has had  a bad chest for a month or so. he’s been to the vets who says he has a heavy mucas coming from his bronchial tract. he tries to cough up phlegm now and then but nothing comes out. he sneezes a bit too. His breath smells awful. He doesn’t seem ill in any other way. he’s still full of life and has a healthy appetite. The vet says he doesn’t know what this condition is. A trans-tracheal aspiration biopsy would clue him in….   The trans-tracheal aspiration biopsy is a technique to produce a sample of the cells and/or other material inside the lungs and windpipes. Under mild anesthesia, a catheter is placed either down a tracheal tube into the lungs. A small amount of saline solution is flushed into the lungs and quickly suctioned back into a syringe. The fluid can then be analyzed using cytologic techniques, providing valuable information about the respiratory system. Its not an invasive test – there’s no cutting. Coughing can also be a sign of heartworm disease, bacterial endocarditis, cardiomyopathy, fungal pneumonia – to name a few.  Fluid in the lungs is suggestive of cardiomyopathy.  If I were you, I’d get a second opinion ASAP which would include x-rays, or ideally, ultrasounds. Please do not delay. Good luck. Phil PS: Dump your present vet. — "With the qualities of cleanliness, discretion, affection, patience,         dignity, and courage that cats have, how many of us,    I ask you, would be capable of being cats?’ –Fernand Mery         Feline Healthcare & More:  http://maxshouse.com my cat is a 3year old male. Before I take him to another vet for a second opinion, does anyone have an idea what could be wrong with him? please email me on dave  uk

Response:

my cat has had  a bad chest for a month or so. he’s been to the vets who says he has a heavy mucas coming from his bronchial tract. he tries to cough up phlegm now and then but nothing comes out. he sneezes a bit too. His breath smells awful. He doesn’t seem ill in any other way. he’s still full of life and has a healthy appetite. The vet says he doesn’t know what this condition is. my cat is a 3year old male. Before I take him to another vet for a second opinion, does anyone have an idea what could be wrong with him? please email me on dave  uk

Response:

If the problem origonates in the bronchial tubes like you say… possible problems could be chronic Bronchitis which could definitely lead to accumulation of mucus/pus in the bronchi. Another possibility is Feline Asthma… however I tend to doubt this because of the mucus you mention. (However Bronchitis can RESULT  as a sequel to feline asthma). It’s possible the infection could be in the lungs themselves, in which case it may be pneumonia (I also doubt this because your vet would (should) pick this out immediately as it’s a serious condition. Note that the most common cause of difficulty breathing in cats is caused by pleural effusion (a build up of fluid in the chest cavity).  What colour are his gums? All in all, I’m personally leaning towards a bronchitis type of infection because of the excess mucus you (your vet) mentions. See another vet as soon as possible for a second diagnosis.  No vet should just say he/she doesn’t know, and then not research until they find out. Kelly

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – my cat has had  a bad chest for a month or so. he’s been to the vets who says he has a heavy mucas coming from his bronchial tract. he tries to cough up phlegm now and then but nothing comes out. he sneezes a bit too. His breath smells awful. He doesn’t seem ill in any other way. he’s still full of life and has a healthy appetite. The vet says he doesn’t know what this condition is. my cat is a 3year old male. Before I take him to another vet for a second opinion, does anyone have an idea what could be wrong with him? please email me on dave  uk

Response:

I’ve lost a few cats because of vets that said they "didn’t know".  I don’t trust many of them, now.  Get thee to a new vet. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – my cat has had  a bad chest for a month or so. he’s been to the vets who says he has a heavy mucas coming from his bronchial tract. he tries to cough up phlegm now and then but nothing comes out. he sneezes a bit too. His breath smells awful. He doesn’t seem ill in any other way. he’s still full of life and has a healthy appetite. The vet says he doesn’t know what this condition is. my cat is a 3year old male. Before I take him to another vet for a second opinion, does anyone have an idea what could be wrong with him? please email me on dave  uk

Response:

my cat has had  a bad chest for a month or so. he’s been to the vets who says he has a heavy mucas coming from his bronchial tract. he tries to cough up phlegm now and then but nothing comes out. he sneezes a bit too. His breath smells awful. He doesn’t seem ill in any other way. he’s still full of life and has a healthy appetite. The vet says he doesn’t know what this condition is.

A trans-tracheal aspiration biopsy would clue him in….   The trans-tracheal aspiration biopsy is a technique to produce a sample of the cells and/or other material inside the lungs and windpipes. Under mild anesthesia, a catheter is placed either down a tracheal tube into the lungs. A small amount of saline solution is flushed into the lungs and quickly suctioned back into a syringe. The fluid can then be analyzed using cytologic techniques, providing valuable information about the respiratory system. Its not an invasive test – there’s no cutting. Coughing can also be a sign of heartworm disease, bacterial endocarditis, cardiomyopathy, fungal pneumonia – to name a few.  Fluid in the lungs is suggestive of cardiomyopathy.  If I were you, I’d get a second opinion ASAP which would include x-rays, or ideally, ultrasounds. Please do not delay. Good luck. Phil PS: Dump your present vet. — "With the qualities of cleanliness, discretion, affection, patience,         dignity, and courage that cats have, how many of us,    I ask you, would be capable of being cats?’ –Fernand Mery         Feline Healthcare & More:  http://maxshouse.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – my cat is a 3year old male. Before I take him to another vet for a second opinion, does anyone have an idea what could be wrong with him? please email me on dave  uk

Response:

Good call, Phil !! I have some friends in 2 cat groups at http://www.egroups.com Refered them to http://www.maxshouse.com – good answers to cat’s health problems. Joe Hansen

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – my cat has had  a bad chest for a month or so. he’s been to the vets who says he has a heavy mucas coming from his bronchial tract. he tries to cough up phlegm now and then but nothing comes out. he sneezes a bit too. His breath smells awful. He doesn’t seem ill in any other way. he’s still full of life and has a healthy appetite. The vet says he doesn’t know what this condition is. A trans-tracheal aspiration biopsy would clue him in….   The trans-tracheal aspiration biopsy is a technique to produce a sample of the cells and/or other material inside the lungs and windpipes. Under mild anesthesia, a catheter is placed either down a tracheal tube into the lungs. A small amount of saline solution is flushed into the lungs and quickly suctioned back into a syringe. The fluid can then be analyzed using cytologic techniques, providing valuable information about the respiratory system. Its not an invasive test – there’s no cutting. Coughing can also be a sign of heartworm disease, bacterial endocarditis, cardiomyopathy, fungal pneumonia – to name a few.  Fluid in the lungs is suggestive of cardiomyopathy.  If I were you, I’d get a second opinion ASAP which would include x-rays, or ideally, ultrasounds. Please do not delay. Good luck. Phil PS: Dump your present vet. — "With the qualities of cleanliness, discretion, affection, patience,         dignity, and courage that cats have, how many of us,    I ask you, would be capable of being cats?’ –Fernand Mery         Feline Healthcare & More:  http://maxshouse.com my cat is a 3year old male. Before I take him to another vet for a second opinion, does anyone have an idea what could be wrong with him? please email me on dave  uk

Response:

my cat has had  a bad chest for a month or so. he’s been to the vets who says he has a heavy mucas coming from his bronchial tract. he tries to cough up phlegm now and then but nothing comes out. he sneezes a bit too. His breath smells awful. He doesn’t seem ill in any other way. he’s still full of life and has a healthy appetite. The vet says he doesn’t know what this condition is. my cat is a 3year old male. Before I take him to another vet for a second opinion, does anyone have an idea what could be wrong with him? please email me on dave  uk

Response:

If the problem origonates in the bronchial tubes like you say… possible problems could be chronic Bronchitis which could definitely lead to accumulation of mucus/pus in the bronchi. Another possibility is Feline Asthma… however I tend to doubt this because of the mucus you mention. (However Bronchitis can RESULT  as a sequel to feline asthma). It’s possible the infection could be in the lungs themselves, in which case it may be pneumonia (I also doubt this because your vet would (should) pick this out immediately as it’s a serious condition. Note that the most common cause of difficulty breathing in cats is caused by pleural effusion (a build up of fluid in the chest cavity).  What colour are his gums? All in all, I’m personally leaning towards a bronchitis type of infection because of the excess mucus you (your vet) mentions. See another vet as soon as possible for a second diagnosis.  No vet should just say he/she doesn’t know, and then not research until they find out. Kelly

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – my cat has had  a bad chest for a month or so. he’s been to the vets who says he has a heavy mucas coming from his bronchial tract. he tries to cough up phlegm now and then but nothing comes out. he sneezes a bit too. His breath smells awful. He doesn’t seem ill in any other way. he’s still full of life and has a healthy appetite. The vet says he doesn’t know what this condition is. my cat is a 3year old male. Before I take him to another vet for a second opinion, does anyone have an idea what could be wrong with him? please email me on dave  uk

Response:

I’ve lost a few cats because of vets that said they "didn’t know".  I don’t trust many of them, now.  Get thee to a new vet. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – my cat has had  a bad chest for a month or so. he’s been to the vets who says he has a heavy mucas coming from his bronchial tract. he tries to cough up phlegm now and then but nothing comes out. he sneezes a bit too. His breath smells awful. He doesn’t seem ill in any other way. he’s still full of life and has a healthy appetite. The vet says he doesn’t know what this condition is. my cat is a 3year old male. Before I take him to another vet for a second opinion, does anyone have an idea what could be wrong with him? please email me on dave  uk

Response:

Question:

My question is how do you deal with the chest congestion?

I get these awful bouts of bronchitis with all the thick nasty stuff in my chest. I’ve found two things that work well. one is something hot to drink, and then blowing on the peak flow meter seems to loosen some of the gunk and bring it up.  I found that out by using to check my peak flows and having it cause me to cough and bring it all up.  Helen

Response:

When I was young and having trouble with my asthma I used to put a pillow under my stomach and lay with my shoulder, head, and knees on the bed with my behind up in the air. I was told many years later that it was a good way to help the lungs drain. I still do it if I am heavily congested with a cold. It may look ridiculous but if it works what the heck. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I first of all want to thank everyone for all of their good advice, I find a great deal of support here in dealing with my asthma.  I am sick with a cold once again, and it has moved into my chest. Big surprise. I am on an inhaled steroid, intal, albuteral, and prednisone currently due to the cold.  My question is how do you deal with the chest congestion? I sitll have to use my albuteral inhaler ever two hours at least, and am coughing, wheezing, tight chest etc.  I am also on an antibiotic.  Does anyone have any helpful hints on dealing with the congestion until it begins to clear? I can still work and get around but breathing is not an easy task. I feel fine otherwise except for this last bit of the cold moving to my chest. The doctor tells me to rest of course, lots of fluids, etc etc. And they say my peak flows aren’t bad, but I feel miserable.  My peak flow only ever goes down to 450 from 500 at my worst anyway, and is around 475 now. Thanks in advance.

Response:

I am wondering what I am missing.I have had asthma foryears and have been using oxygen for the last three years. I have used all the usual medicines but continue to get worse . I use a nebulizer four times a day, but the Dr. will not allow me to use any proventil  unless four hours have elasped. For two hours after my treatment I can move around but the next two I have to just sit . as my oxygen level is better then. I was told my lung capacity is 26% which is not much. I do not have the typical asthma attacks  but I guess all the tests show that is what I have. Any suggestions or thoughts would be appreciated.

Response:

I wish I had a peak flow that high–I am 5′9” and every meter that I have used it rarely goes over 370 and was 270 at one point.  But anyway, for chest congestion, I know this sounds wierd, but try and OTC med like robitusson for coughing and an expectorant to break your cough up. Another thing I do is suck on ice pops to relieve  the irritation b/c a lot of times a cough can be perpetuated by the act of coughing. In other words it can become habit so if you reduce any extra irritation you may not feel the need to cough.  Just a suggestion. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I first of all want to thank everyone for all of their good advice, I find a great deal of support here in dealing with my asthma.  I am sick with a cold once again, and it has moved into my chest. Big surprise. I am on an inhaled steroid, intal, albuteral, and prednisone currently due to the cold.  My question is how do you deal with the chest congestion? I sitll have to use my albuteral inhaler ever two hours at least, and am coughing, wheezing, tight chest etc.  I am also on an antibiotic.  Does anyone have any helpful hints on dealing with the congestion until it begins to clear? I can still work and get around but breathing is not an easy task. I feel fine otherwise except for this last bit of the cold moving to my chest. The doctor tells me to rest of course, lots of fluids, etc etc. And they say my peak flows aren’t bad, but I feel miserable.  My peak flow only ever goes down to 450 from 500 at my worst anyway, and is around 475 now. Thanks in advance.

Response:

Great question.  I, too, am sick right now and have bad chest congestion and cough.  The cough has been totally non-productive.  The Prednisone I’m on has taken care of my tight chest and tickly lungs, but the congestion is annoying and bothersome.  If hanging off a bed and coughing will help, I’ll do it.   I just love this newsgroup.  Sometimes, when I have a question, I find I don’t need to post it because someone else has already asked!  It’s great.  I may be feeling bad, but knowing there are other people who are going through the same stuff really makes me feel like I’m not alone. Thanks everybody!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I first of all want to thank everyone for all of their good advice, I find a great deal of support here in dealing with my asthma.  I am sick with a cold once again, and it has moved into my chest. Big surprise. I am on an inhaled steroid, intal, albuteral, and prednisone currently due to the cold.  My question is how do you deal with the chest congestion? I sitll have to use my albuteral inhaler ever two hours at least, and am coughing, wheezing, tight chest etc.  I am also on an antibiotic.  Does anyone have any helpful hints on dealing with the congestion until it begins to clear? I can still work and get around but breathing is not an easy task. I feel fine otherwise except for this last bit of the cold moving to my chest. The doctor tells me to rest of course, lots of fluids, etc etc. And they say my peak flows aren’t bad, but I feel miserable.  My peak flow only ever goes down to 450 from 500 at my worst anyway, and is around 475 now. Thanks in advance.

Response:

I first of all want to thank everyone for all of their good advice, I find a great deal of support here in dealing with my asthma.  I am sick with a cold once again, and it has moved into my chest. Big surprise. I am on an inhaled steroid, intal, albuteral, and prednisone currently due to the cold.  My question is how do you deal with the chest congestion? I sitll have to use my albuteral inhaler ever two hours at least, and am coughing, wheezing, tight chest etc.  I am also on an antibiotic.  Does anyone have any helpful hints on dealing with the congestion until it begins to clear? I can still work and get around but breathing is not an easy task. I feel fine otherwise except for this last bit of the cold moving to my chest. The doctor tells me to rest of course, lots of fluids, etc etc. And they say my peak flows aren’t bad, but I feel miserable.  My peak flow only ever goes down to 450 from 500 at my worst anyway, and is around 475 now. Thanks in advance.

Response:

I first of all want to thank everyone for all of their good advice, I find a great deal of support here in dealing with my asthma.  I am sick with a cold once again, and it has moved into my chest. Big surprise. I am on an inhaled steroid, intal, albuteral, and prednisone currently due to the cold.  My question is how do you deal with the chest congestion? I sitll have to use my albuteral inhaler ever two hours at least, and am coughing, wheezing, tight chest etc.  I am also on an antibiotic.  Does anyone have any helpful hints on dealing with the congestion until it begins to clear?

Postural drainage can be helpful in clearing mucus from the lungs. This involves lowering the head and upper body, like over the side of the bed, and coughing it up; gently tapping on the back or chest with a cupped hand can help knock it loose. Different positions work better depending on exactly where the mucus is in the lungs. http://www.wramc.amedd.army.mil/departments/nursing/sections/ccns/cbo… http://www.wramc.amedd.army.mil/departments/nursing/sections/ccns/cbo… Ellis – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I can still work and get around but breathing is not an easy task. I feel fine otherwise except for this last bit of the cold moving to my chest. The doctor tells me to rest of course, lots of fluids, etc etc. And they say my peak flows aren’t bad, but I feel miserable.  My peak flow only ever goes down to 450 from 500 at my worst anyway, and is around 475 now. Thanks in advance.

Response:

I have a neutered tom, between 5 and six years old, who wheezes. When we first adopted him over four years ago, we took him to a vet for neutering and all the usual tests. The diagnosis was feline asthma. He recently had some minor surgery, and while he was there, I asked that his wheezing be reevaluated. Chest xray revealed some chest congestion. His blood work also showed he is FIV+ though not showing any symptoms. He was given a cotricosteroid shot, but after 10 days, there’s been no change in his wheezing. He was given Clindadrops (clindamycin hydrochloride) for a post-operative infection which he finished with much protest. He wheezes year ’round, and is an indoor cat. He never pants, is very active, and doesn’t seemed to be inconvenienced by it, but he sure sounds strange. He also sneezes often. His vet thinks it might be from being FIV+, though the same vet also holds out hope that it was a false-positive. He is in otherwise primo feline condition (he was retested for *everything*). Anyone have any ideas why an otherwise healthy cat would have minor chest congestion and wheezing for years?

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a neutered tom, between 5 and six years old, who wheezes. When we first adopted him over four years ago, we took him to a vet for neutering and all the usual tests. The diagnosis was feline asthma. He recently had some minor surgery, and while he was there, I asked that his wheezing be reevaluated. Chest xray revealed some chest congestion. His blood work also showed he is FIV+ though not showing any symptoms. He was given a cotricosteroid shot, but after 10 days, there’s been no change in his wheezing. He was given Clindadrops (clindamycin hydrochloride) for a post-operative infection which he finished with much protest. He wheezes year ’round, and is an indoor cat. He never pants, is very active, and doesn’t seemed to be inconvenienced by it, but he sure sounds strange. He also sneezes often. His vet thinks it might be from being FIV+, though the same vet also holds out hope that it was a false-positive. He is in otherwise primo feline condition (he was retested for *everything*). Anyone have any ideas why an otherwise healthy cat would have minor chest congestion and wheezing for years?

Sounds like chronic rhinotracheitis.  Was he ever immunized for it?  See http://www.vetinfo.com/catrespir.html#Sneezing — Alan Consciousness, Physics and the Holographic Paradigm: http://www.livingston.net/hermital/intro.htm

Response:

I have a neutered tom, between 5 and six years old, who wheezes. When we first adopted him over four years ago, we took him to a vet for neutering and all the usual tests. The diagnosis was feline asthma. He recently had some minor surgery, and while he was there, I asked that his wheezing be reevaluated. Chest xray revealed some chest congestion. His blood work also showed he is FIV+ though not showing any symptoms. He was given a cotricosteroid shot, but after 10 days, there’s been no change in his wheezing. He was given Clindadrops (clindamycin hydrochloride) for a post-operative infection which he finished with much protest. He wheezes year ’round, and is an indoor cat. He never pants, is very active, and doesn’t seemed to be inconvenienced by it, but he sure sounds strange. He also sneezes often. His vet thinks it might be from being FIV+, though the same vet also holds out hope that it was a false-positive. He is in otherwise primo feline condition (he was retested for *everything*). Anyone have any ideas why an otherwise healthy cat would have minor chest congestion and wheezing for years?

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a neutered tom, between 5 and six years old, who wheezes. When we first adopted him over four years ago, we took him to a vet for neutering and all the usual tests. The diagnosis was feline asthma. He recently had some minor surgery, and while he was there, I asked that his wheezing be reevaluated. Chest xray revealed some chest congestion. His blood work also showed he is FIV+ though not showing any symptoms. He was given a cotricosteroid shot, but after 10 days, there’s been no change in his wheezing. He was given Clindadrops (clindamycin hydrochloride) for a post-operative infection which he finished with much protest. He wheezes year ’round, and is an indoor cat. He never pants, is very active, and doesn’t seemed to be inconvenienced by it, but he sure sounds strange. He also sneezes often. His vet thinks it might be from being FIV+, though the same vet also holds out hope that it was a false-positive. He is in otherwise primo feline condition (he was retested for *everything*). Anyone have any ideas why an otherwise healthy cat would have minor chest congestion and wheezing for years?

Sounds like chronic rhinotracheitis.  Was he ever immunized for it?  See http://www.vetinfo.com/catrespir.html#Sneezing — Alan Consciousness, Physics and the Holographic Paradigm: http://www.livingston.net/hermital/intro.htm

Response:

Question:

To all, This is slightly off topic, but I think it needs to be said. I have seen many, many arguments posted to this newsgroup within the last few weeks.  Personally, I am not a frequent visitor to this newsgroup, but I do enjoy reading the messages posted here.  I laugh at the stories of kittens’ antics.  I cry at the stories of the loss of a loved friend.  I learn from the posts of those who have been through similar situations that I and my cat(s) face. However, I am dismayed at the arguments that have popped up recently.  They distract from the overall purpose of this newsgroup… that of sharing information and experiences.  It also discourages people from even sharing in the first place, because they may be afraid that they will be flamed for their input. I am not going to point any fingers or lay any blame.  I will just offer one small bit of advice.  If you are flamed, or if someone posts a message that you find offensive and rude… IGNORE IT. Flaming that person back, or adding another rude message will not help, it will only make the situation worse.  It’s hard to do sometimes… believe me, I know.  But I’ve never seen any good come out of a flame war. I understand that I will probably be flamed myself for this note.  So be it. But before you do, please take a moment to sit back, relax, and think about it first.  If you still feel it’s necessary, then have at it.  :) Thanks for taking the time to read this and for putting up with me.  :) -Valerie

Response:

shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh……. don’t even think it. hbfb

Oh gawd. I am having flashbacks! Bugs, you is a bad, bad wabbit.   Now stop it and

play nice… please. This is giving me nightmares of Peeba/Jenny/SLK all over again <shiverrrrssss Whooooo meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee? B.

|Valerie, | |I would love to not fight but when Bugs goes into other newsgroups I am |on and slams me there I can not contain my

thoughts…it is such – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – a low |thing, as to be…can’t even think of a word to translate my thoughts on |it….really a low thing to stoop to. | |Tammy — Y2K? Because *one* K just isn’t enough.

Response:

This must be like what people who suffer serious head traumas from war feel like. OH GAWD LOOK OUT OVERHEAD!! HIT THE DIRT!  <<Ducking under kitchen sink – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh……. don’t even think it. hbfb Oh gawd. I am having flashbacks! Bugs, you is a bad, bad wabbit.   Now stop it and play nice… please. This is giving me nightmares of Peeba/Jenny/SLK all over again <shiverrrrssss Whooooo meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee? B. |Valerie, | |I would love to not fight but when Bugs goes into other newsgroups I am |on and slams me there I can not contain my thoughts…it is such a low |thing, as to be…can’t even think of a word to translate my thoughts on |it….really a low thing to stoop to. | |Tammy — Y2K? Because *one* K just isn’t enough.

– Y2K? Because *one* K just isn’t enough.

Response:

Oh gawd. I am having flashbacks! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Bugs, you is a bad, bad wabbit.   Now stop it and play nice… please. This is giving me nightmares of Peeba/Jenny/SLK all over again <shiverrrrssss Whooooo meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee? B. |Valerie, | |I would love to not fight but when Bugs goes into other newsgroups I am |on and slams me there I can not contain my thoughts…it is such a low |thing, as to be…can’t even think of a word to translate my thoughts on |it….really a low thing to stoop to. | |Tammy

– Y2K? Because *one* K just isn’t enough.

Response:

Thanks for all the replies! From what you’ve all said, the recent cat-fights (couldn’t resist!) are really pretty mild.  OK, I can stick it out.  Thanks for the reassurances. I can’t imagine what it was like when the posts were truly ugly… -Valerie (owned by Jasmine and Stinky)

Response:

Valerie, I would love to not fight but when Bugs goes into other newsgroups I am on and slams me there I can not contain my thoughts…it is such a low thing, as to be…can’t even think of a word to translate my thoughts on it….really a low thing to stoop to. Tammy

Response:

Whooooo meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee? B.

|Valerie, | |I would love to not fight but when Bugs goes into other newsgroups I am |on and slams me there I can not contain my thoughts…it is such a low |thing, as to be…can’t even think of a word to translate my thoughts on |it….really a low thing to stoop to. | |Tammy

Response:

Bugs, you is a bad, bad wabbit.   Now stop it and play nice… please. This is giving me nightmares of Peeba/Jenny/SLK all over again <shiverrrrssss

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Whooooo meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee? B. |Valerie, | |I would love to not fight but when Bugs goes into other newsgroups I am |on and slams me there I can not contain my thoughts…it is such a low |thing, as to be…can’t even think of a word to translate my thoughts on |it….really a low thing to stoop to. | |Tammy

Response:

C, Oh, does Bugs do this on a regular basis….she really should be reported then…yes, sick is the word. Bugs must have a pretty sorry life to spend so much time tracking people down in other newgroups….sad. Tammy

Response:

Oh, now C. speaks up about me?  I love it….   she’s a quiet cat until she can’t help but open her trap about me.  And this is lovely…  C. and Debby Juicy are buddies now?  Maybe Debby can convince C. to feed her cats this horrible, raw meat and bones diet. Good luck to the both of you together. Bugs

|C, | |Oh, does Bugs do this on a regular basis….she really should be |reported then…yes, sick is the word. | |Bugs must have a pretty sorry life to spend so much time tracking people |down in other newgroups….sad. | |Tammy

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Rebecca, You got it now…good job Tammy

Response:

Yeah Bunny breath, Raw feeding is so terrible that is why so many holisitic vets recommend it…you are so full if shit…I never set out to convince anyone to feed raw…you are having that reading problem again. Tammy

Response:

Oh, now C. speaks up about me?  I love it….   she’s a quiet cat until she can’t help but open her trap about me.  And this is lovely…  C. and Debby Juicy are buddies now?  Maybe Debby can convince C. to feed her cats this horrible, raw meat and bones diet. Good luck to the both of you together. Bugs

It’s a diet recommended by Anitra Frazier, Dr. Pitcairn, Dr. Levy, and others.  It is often recommended as a more holistic way of feeding. And yes, to those of us grounded in Western science, the thought that "cooking destroys the life force", and that there is a life-force that permeates the world, is a bit hard to swallow.  But I went to a holistic doctor recently, and as she put it, Western medicine is very good at fixing things that are wrong, but not so good at keeping things healthy.  Eastern medicine is very good at keeping things healthy, but not so good at fixing them when they go wrong.  The two are compatible and complementary, not opposites.  Feeding a raw diet is quite possible, although it’s not something to be entered into without some thought, since a bad raw diet is as detrimental as a bad commercial one.  But feeding cats a raw, healthy diet, with bones, is certainly possible! Rebecca

Response:

hi Valerie,    I’ve been a member of this newsgroup for a very long time and believe me things are much better around here than they used to be! Hang in there ok? Ginny, Garth, Wags, Scarlett and Silky  ^..^<

That’s what I was thinking!  <g  Cathy

Response:

: To all, : : This is slightly off topic, but I think it needs to be said. : : I have seen many, many arguments posted to this newsgroup within the last : few weeks.  Personally, I am not a frequent visitor to this newsgroup, but I : do enjoy reading the messages posted here.  I laugh at the stories of : kittens’ antics.  I cry at the stories of the loss of a loved friend.  I : learn from the posts of those who have been through similar situations that : I and my cat(s) face. : : However, I am dismayed at the arguments that have popped up recently. They : distract from the overall purpose of this newsgroup… that of sharing : information and experiences.  It also discourages people from even sharing : in the first place, because they may be afraid that they will be flamed for : their input. : : I am not going to point any fingers or lay any blame.  I will just offer one : small bit of advice.  If you are flamed, or if someone posts a message that : you find offensive and rude… : : IGNORE IT. : : Flaming that person back, or adding another rude message will not help, it : will only make the situation worse.  It’s hard to do sometimes… believe : me, I know.  But I’ve never seen any good come out of a flame war. : : I understand that I will probably be flamed myself for this note.  So be it. : But before you do, please take a moment to sit back, relax, and think about : it first.  If you still feel it’s necessary, then have at it.  :) : : Thanks for taking the time to read this and for putting up with me.  :) : : -Valerie : : : Valerie, There are many informative posts with useful information in here and I have learned a lot over the years (been on the newsgroups for years).  There are always a few pompous asses or opinionated people who crop up from  time to time but, in a while, they go back into the woodwork.  Yes!  I have been *flamed* for some of my posts but that doesn’t bother me because, I either read what the person has to say and learn from it because it is informative or just figure that that person has nothing better to do and let it go. Some people in here have a lot of first hand information to give without flaming others and those are the posts that I read.  I disregard the posts that don’t or the people having a flame war going on.  We all have different opinions on a lot of things and there is more than one opinion or helpful hint that will work.  It all depends on the individuals and their kitties as to what works for them.  I have a cat with hyperthyroidism and cat with feline asthma at the moment so I look for the posts pertaining to their problems as an example.  If I see anyone who is having a problem with them as well as problems with what I have had in the past, I will try to help if I can.  Hang in there!  =^;^= Barb

Response:

hi Valerie,    I’ve been a member of this newsgroup for a very long time and believe me things are much better around here than they used to be! Hang in there ok? Ginny, Garth, Wags, Scarlett and Silky  ^..^<  I’m out of estrogen….and I’ve got a gun.

Response:

Every once in awhile people get a little too opinionated, and won’t allow others to express their own without resorting to personal attacks, and egos get stepped on and tempers flare, but then things calm down and everyone gets civil again. It is a great newsgroup, I got tons of help when Shadow was sick. So don’t give up on it…

Response:

(Kidding… ) Valerie, It’s like waking up on the wrong side of the bed in here sometimes.  Tempers do flare up, but what’s going on in here now is verrrrrrry relaxed compared to some threads!  Besides, the main "cause" usually goes away like a bad cold.  Buck up!  It’s just a fiery news group "at times"…  and if you don’t like what you read, don’t read that particular thread, or use your killfilter.  Stick around, okay? Bugsy

|To all, | |This is slightly off topic, but I think it needs to be said. | |I have seen many, many arguments posted to this newsgroup within the last |few weeks.  Personally, I am not a frequent visitor to this newsgroup, but I |do enjoy reading the messages posted here.  I laugh at the stories of |kittens’ antics.  I cry at the stories of the loss of a loved friend.  I |learn from the posts of those who have been through similar situations that |I and my cat(s) face. | |However, I am dismayed at the arguments that have popped up recently.  They |distract from the overall purpose of this newsgroup… that of sharing |information and experiences.  It also discourages people from even sharing |in the first place, because they may be afraid that they will be flamed for |their input. | |I am not going to point any fingers or lay any blame.  I will just offer one |small bit of advice.  If you are flamed, or if someone posts a message that |you find offensive and rude… | |IGNORE IT. | |Flaming that person back, or adding another rude message will not help, it |will only make the situation worse.  It’s hard to do sometimes… believe |me, I know.  But I’ve never seen any good come out of a flame war. | |I understand that I will probably be flamed myself for this note.  So be it. |But before you do, please take a moment to sit back, relax, and think about |it first.  If you still feel it’s necessary, then have at it. | |Thanks for taking the time to read this and for putting up with me.  :) | |-Valerie | | |

Response:

I am guilty of the flame wars, but I hereby bow down.  I am here for support as I have a situation with a kitten that is far bigger than he should be and has behaviours and attitudes that I’ve never encountered before.  We should all be mature and realize that this is going nowhere fast.  I hope the group accepts my apology for my rudeness.  I was very wrong.  I will try to keep my temper in check. Sincerely, Rechelle – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – To all, This is slightly off topic, but I think it needs to be said. I have seen many, many arguments posted to this newsgroup within the last few weeks.  Personally, I am not a frequent visitor to this newsgroup, but I do enjoy reading the messages posted here.  I laugh at the stories of kittens’ antics.  I cry at the stories of the loss of a loved friend.  I learn from the posts of those who have been through similar situations that I and my cat(s) face. However, I am dismayed at the arguments that have popped up recently.  They distract from the overall purpose of this newsgroup… that of sharing information and experiences.  It also discourages people from even sharing in the first place, because they may be afraid that they will be flamed for their input. I am not going to point any fingers or lay any blame.  I will just offer one small bit of advice.  If you are flamed, or if someone posts a message that you find offensive and rude… IGNORE IT. Flaming that person back, or adding another rude message will not help, it will only make the situation worse.  It’s hard to do sometimes… believe me, I know.  But I’ve never seen any good come out of a flame war. I understand that I will probably be flamed myself for this note.  So be it. But before you do, please take a moment to sit back, relax, and think about it first.  If you still feel it’s necessary, then have at it.  :) Thanks for taking the time to read this and for putting up with me.  :) -Valerie

Response:

To all, This is slightly off topic, but I think it needs to be said. I have seen many, many arguments posted to this newsgroup within the last few weeks.  Personally, I am not a frequent visitor to this newsgroup, but I do enjoy reading the messages posted here.  I laugh at the stories of kittens’ antics.  I cry at the stories of the loss of a loved friend.  I learn from the posts of those who have been through similar situations that I and my cat(s) face. However, I am dismayed at the arguments that have popped up recently.  They distract from the overall purpose of this newsgroup… that of sharing information and experiences.  It also discourages people from even sharing in the first place, because they may be afraid that they will be flamed for their input. I am not going to point any fingers or lay any blame.  I will just offer one small bit of advice.  If you are flamed, or if someone posts a message that you find offensive and rude… IGNORE IT. Flaming that person back, or adding another rude message will not help, it will only make the situation worse.  It’s hard to do sometimes… believe me, I know.  But I’ve never seen any good come out of a flame war. I understand that I will probably be flamed myself for this note.  So be it. But before you do, please take a moment to sit back, relax, and think about it first.  If you still feel it’s necessary, then have at it.  :) Thanks for taking the time to read this and for putting up with me.  :) -Valerie

Response:

shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh……. don’t even think it. hbfb

Oh gawd. I am having flashbacks! Bugs, you is a bad, bad wabbit.   Now stop it and

play nice… please. This is giving me nightmares of Peeba/Jenny/SLK all over again <shiverrrrssss Whooooo meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee? B.

|Valerie, | |I would love to not fight but when Bugs goes into other newsgroups I am |on and slams me there I can not contain my

thoughts…it is such – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – a low |thing, as to be…can’t even think of a word to translate my thoughts on |it….really a low thing to stoop to. | |Tammy — Y2K? Because *one* K just isn’t enough.

Response:

This must be like what people who suffer serious head traumas from war feel like. OH GAWD LOOK OUT OVERHEAD!! HIT THE DIRT!  <<Ducking under kitchen sink – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh……. don’t even think it. hbfb Oh gawd. I am having flashbacks! Bugs, you is a bad, bad wabbit.   Now stop it and play nice… please. This is giving me nightmares of Peeba/Jenny/SLK all over again <shiverrrrssss Whooooo meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee? B. |Valerie, | |I would love to not fight but when Bugs goes into other newsgroups I am |on and slams me there I can not contain my thoughts…it is such a low |thing, as to be…can’t even think of a word to translate my thoughts on |it….really a low thing to stoop to. | |Tammy — Y2K? Because *one* K just isn’t enough.

– Y2K? Because *one* K just isn’t enough.

Response:

Oh gawd. I am having flashbacks! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Bugs, you is a bad, bad wabbit.   Now stop it and play nice… please. This is giving me nightmares of Peeba/Jenny/SLK all over again <shiverrrrssss Whooooo meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee? B. |Valerie, | |I would love to not fight but when Bugs goes into other newsgroups I am |on and slams me there I can not contain my thoughts…it is such a low |thing, as to be…can’t even think of a word to translate my thoughts on |it….really a low thing to stoop to. | |Tammy

– Y2K? Because *one* K just isn’t enough.

Response:

Thanks for all the replies! From what you’ve all said, the recent cat-fights (couldn’t resist!) are really pretty mild.  OK, I can stick it out.  Thanks for the reassurances. I can’t imagine what it was like when the posts were truly ugly… -Valerie (owned by Jasmine and Stinky)

Response:

Valerie, I would love to not fight but when Bugs goes into other newsgroups I am on and slams me there I can not contain my thoughts…it is such a low thing, as to be…can’t even think of a word to translate my thoughts on it….really a low thing to stoop to. Tammy

Response:

Whooooo meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee? B.

|Valerie, | |I would love to not fight but when Bugs goes into other newsgroups I am |on and slams me there I can not contain my thoughts…it is such a low |thing, as to be…can’t even think of a word to translate my thoughts on |it….really a low thing to stoop to. | |Tammy

Response:

Bugs, you is a bad, bad wabbit.   Now stop it and play nice… please. This is giving me nightmares of Peeba/Jenny/SLK all over again <shiverrrrssss

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Whooooo meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee? B. |Valerie, | |I would love to not fight but when Bugs goes into other newsgroups I am |on and slams me there I can not contain my thoughts…it is such a low |thing, as to be…can’t even think of a word to translate my thoughts on |it….really a low thing to stoop to. | |Tammy

Response:

C, Oh, does Bugs do this on a regular basis….she really should be reported then…yes, sick is the word. Bugs must have a pretty sorry life to spend so much time tracking people down in other newgroups….sad. Tammy

Response:

Oh, now C. speaks up about me?  I love it….   she’s a quiet cat until she can’t help but open her trap about me.  And this is lovely…  C. and Debby Juicy are buddies now?  Maybe Debby can convince C. to feed her cats this horrible, raw meat and bones diet. Good luck to the both of you together. Bugs

|C, | |Oh, does Bugs do this on a regular basis….she really should be |reported then…yes, sick is the word. | |Bugs must have a pretty sorry life to spend so much time tracking people |down in other newgroups….sad. | |Tammy

Response:

Rebecca, You got it now…good job Tammy

Response:

Yeah Bunny breath, Raw feeding is so terrible that is why so many holisitic vets recommend it…you are so full if shit…I never set out to convince anyone to feed raw…you are having that reading problem again. Tammy

Response:

Oh, now C. speaks up about me?  I love it….   she’s a quiet cat until she can’t help but open her trap about me.  And this is lovely…  C. and Debby Juicy are buddies now?  Maybe Debby can convince C. to feed her cats this horrible, raw meat and bones diet. Good luck to the both of you together. Bugs

It’s a diet recommended by Anitra Frazier, Dr. Pitcairn, Dr. Levy, and others.  It is often recommended as a more holistic way of feeding. And yes, to those of us grounded in Western science, the thought that "cooking destroys the life force", and that there is a life-force that permeates the world, is a bit hard to swallow.  But I went to a holistic doctor recently, and as she put it, Western medicine is very good at fixing things that are wrong, but not so good at keeping things healthy.  Eastern medicine is very good at keeping things healthy, but not so good at fixing them when they go wrong.  The two are compatible and complementary, not opposites.  Feeding a raw diet is quite possible, although it’s not something to be entered into without some thought, since a bad raw diet is as detrimental as a bad commercial one.  But feeding cats a raw, healthy diet, with bones, is certainly possible! Rebecca

Response:

hi Valerie,    I’ve been a member of this newsgroup for a very long time and believe me things are much better around here than they used to be! Hang in there ok? Ginny, Garth, Wags, Scarlett and Silky  ^..^<

That’s what I was thinking!  <g  Cathy

Response:

: To all, : : This is slightly off topic, but I think it needs to be said. : : I have seen many, many arguments posted to this newsgroup within the last : few weeks.  Personally, I am not a frequent visitor to this newsgroup, but I : do enjoy reading the messages posted here.  I laugh at the stories of : kittens’ antics.  I cry at the stories of the loss of a loved friend.  I : learn from the posts of those who have been through similar situations that : I and my cat(s) face. : : However, I am dismayed at the arguments that have popped up recently. They : distract from the overall purpose of this newsgroup… that of sharing : information and experiences.  It also discourages people from even sharing : in the first place, because they may be afraid that they will be flamed for : their input. : : I am not going to point any fingers or lay any blame.  I will just offer one : small bit of advice.  If you are flamed, or if someone posts a message that : you find offensive and rude… : : IGNORE IT. : : Flaming that person back, or adding another rude message will not help, it : will only make the situation worse.  It’s hard to do sometimes… believe : me, I know.  But I’ve never seen any good come out of a flame war. : : I understand that I will probably be flamed myself for this note.  So be it. : But before you do, please take a moment to sit back, relax, and think about : it first.  If you still feel it’s necessary, then have at it.  :) : : Thanks for taking the time to read this and for putting up with me.  :) : : -Valerie : : : Valerie, There are many informative posts with useful information in here and I have learned a lot over the years (been on the newsgroups for years).  There are always a few pompous asses or opinionated people who crop up from  time to time but, in a while, they go back into the woodwork.  Yes!  I have been *flamed* for some of my posts but that doesn’t bother me because, I either read what the person has to say and learn from it because it is informative or just figure that that person has nothing better to do and let it go. Some people in here have a lot of first hand information to give without flaming others and those are the posts that I read.  I disregard the posts that don’t or the people having a flame war going on.  We all have different opinions on a lot of things and there is more than one opinion or helpful hint that will work.  It all depends on the individuals and their kitties as to what works for them.  I have a cat with hyperthyroidism and cat with feline asthma at the moment so I look for the posts pertaining to their problems as an example.  If I see anyone who is having a problem with them as well as problems with what I have had in the past, I will try to help if I can.  Hang in there!  =^;^= Barb

Response:

hi Valerie,    I’ve been a member of this newsgroup for a very long time and believe me things are much better around here than they used to be! Hang in there ok? Ginny, Garth, Wags, Scarlett and Silky  ^..^<  I’m out of estrogen….and I’ve got a gun.

Response:

Every once in awhile people get a little too opinionated, and won’t allow others to express their own without resorting to personal attacks, and egos get stepped on and tempers flare, but then things calm down and everyone gets civil again. It is a great newsgroup, I got tons of help when Shadow was sick. So don’t give up on it…

Response:

(Kidding… ) Valerie, It’s like waking up on the wrong side of the bed in here sometimes.  Tempers do flare up, but what’s going on in here now is verrrrrrry relaxed compared to some threads!  Besides, the main "cause" usually goes away like a bad cold.  Buck up!  It’s just a fiery news group "at times"…  and if you don’t like what you read, don’t read that particular thread, or use your killfilter.  Stick around, okay? Bugsy

|To all, | |This is slightly off topic, but I think it needs to be said. | |I have seen many, many arguments posted to this newsgroup within the last |few weeks.  Personally, I am not a frequent visitor to this newsgroup, but I |do enjoy reading the messages posted here.  I laugh at the stories of |kittens’ antics.  I cry at the stories of the loss of a loved friend.  I |learn from the posts of those who have been through similar situations that |I and my cat(s) face. | |However, I am dismayed at the arguments that have popped up recently.  They |distract from the overall purpose of this newsgroup… that of sharing |information and experiences.  It also discourages people from even sharing |in the first place, because they may be afraid that they will be flamed for |their input. | |I am not going to point any fingers or lay any blame.  I will just offer one |small bit of advice.  If you are flamed, or if someone posts a message that |you find offensive and rude… | |IGNORE IT. | |Flaming that person back, or adding another rude message will not help, it |will only make the situation worse.  It’s hard to do sometimes… believe |me, I know.  But I’ve never seen any good come out of a flame war. | |I understand that I will probably be flamed myself for this note.  So be it. |But before you do, please take a moment to sit back, relax, and think about |it first.  If you still feel it’s necessary, then have at it. | |Thanks for taking the time to read this and for putting up with me.  :) | |-Valerie | | |

Response:

I am guilty of the flame wars, but I hereby bow down.  I am here for support as I have a situation with a kitten that is far bigger than he should be and has behaviours and attitudes that I’ve never encountered before.  We should all be mature and realize that this is going nowhere fast.  I hope the group accepts my apology for my rudeness.  I was very wrong.  I will try to keep my temper in check. Sincerely, Rechelle – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – To all, This is slightly off topic, but I think it needs to be said. I have seen many, many arguments posted to this newsgroup within the last few weeks.  Personally, I am not a frequent visitor to this newsgroup, but I do enjoy reading the messages posted here.  I laugh at the stories of kittens’ antics.  I cry at the stories of the loss of a loved friend.  I learn from the posts of those who have been through similar situations that I and my cat(s) face. However, I am dismayed at the arguments that have popped up recently.  They distract from the overall purpose of this newsgroup… that of sharing information and experiences.  It also discourages people from even sharing in the first place, because they may be afraid that they will be flamed for their input. I am not going to point any fingers or lay any blame.  I will just offer one small bit of advice.  If you are flamed, or if someone posts a message that you find offensive and rude… IGNORE IT. Flaming that person back, or adding another rude message will not help, it will only make the situation worse.  It’s hard to do sometimes… believe me, I know.  But I’ve never seen any good come out of a flame war. I understand that I will probably be flamed myself for this note.  So be it. But before you do, please take a moment to sit back, relax, and think about it first.  If you still feel it’s necessary, then have at it.  :) Thanks for taking the time to read this and for putting up with me.  :) -Valerie

Response:

To all, This is slightly off topic, but I think it needs to be said. I have seen many, many arguments posted to this newsgroup within the last few weeks.  Personally, I am not a frequent visitor to this newsgroup, but I do enjoy reading the messages posted here.  I laugh at the stories of kittens’ antics.  I cry at the stories of the loss of a loved friend.  I learn from the posts of those who have been through similar situations that I and my cat(s) face. However, I am dismayed at the arguments that have popped up recently.  They distract from the overall purpose of this newsgroup… that of sharing information and experiences.  It also discourages people from even sharing in the first place, because they may be afraid that they will be flamed for their input. I am not going to point any fingers or lay any blame.  I will just offer one small bit of advice.  If you are flamed, or if someone posts a message that you find offensive and rude… IGNORE IT. Flaming that person back, or adding another rude message will not help, it will only make the situation worse.  It’s hard to do sometimes… believe me, I know.  But I’ve never seen any good come out of a flame war. I understand that I will probably be flamed myself for this note.  So be it. But before you do, please take a moment to sit back, relax, and think about it first.  If you still feel it’s necessary, then have at it.  :) Thanks for taking the time to read this and for putting up with me.  :) -Valerie

Response:

shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh……. don’t even think it. hbfb

Oh gawd. I am having flashbacks! Bugs, you is a bad, bad wabbit.   Now stop it and

play nice… please. This is giving me nightmares of Peeba/Jenny/SLK all over again <shiverrrrssss Whooooo meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee? B.

|Valerie, | |I would love to not fight but when Bugs goes into other newsgroups I am |on and slams me there I can not contain my

thoughts…it is such – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – a low |thing, as to be…can’t even think of a word to translate my thoughts on |it….really a low thing to stoop to. | |Tammy — Y2K? Because *one* K just isn’t enough.

Response:

This must be like what people who suffer serious head traumas from war feel like. OH GAWD LOOK OUT OVERHEAD!! HIT THE DIRT!  <<Ducking under kitchen sink – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh……. don’t even think it. hbfb Oh gawd. I am having flashbacks! Bugs, you is a bad, bad wabbit.   Now stop it and play nice… please. This is giving me nightmares of Peeba/Jenny/SLK all over again <shiverrrrssss Whooooo meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee? B. |Valerie, | |I would love to not fight but when Bugs goes into other newsgroups I am |on and slams me there I can not contain my thoughts…it is such a low |thing, as to be…can’t even think of a word to translate my thoughts on |it….really a low thing to stoop to. | |Tammy — Y2K? Because *one* K just isn’t enough.

– Y2K? Because *one* K just isn’t enough.

Response:

Oh gawd. I am having flashbacks! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Bugs, you is a bad, bad wabbit.   Now stop it and play nice… please. This is giving me nightmares of Peeba/Jenny/SLK all over again <shiverrrrssss Whooooo meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee? B. |Valerie, | |I would love to not fight but when Bugs goes into other newsgroups I am |on and slams me there I can not contain my thoughts…it is such a low |thing, as to be…can’t even think of a word to translate my thoughts on |it….really a low thing to stoop to. | |Tammy

– Y2K? Because *one* K just isn’t enough.

Response:

Thanks for all the replies! From what you’ve all said, the recent cat-fights (couldn’t resist!) are really pretty mild.  OK, I can stick it out.  Thanks for the reassurances. I can’t imagine what it was like when the posts were truly ugly… -Valerie (owned by Jasmine and Stinky)

Response:

Valerie, I would love to not fight but when Bugs goes into other newsgroups I am on and slams me there I can not contain my thoughts…it is such a low thing, as to be…can’t even think of a word to translate my thoughts on it….really a low thing to stoop to. Tammy

Response:

Whooooo meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee? B.

|Valerie, | |I would love to not fight but when Bugs goes into other newsgroups I am |on and slams me there I can not contain my thoughts…it is such a low |thing, as to be…can’t even think of a word to translate my thoughts on |it….really a low thing to stoop to. | |Tammy

Response:

Bugs, you is a bad, bad wabbit.   Now stop it and play nice… please. This is giving me nightmares of Peeba/Jenny/SLK all over again <shiverrrrssss

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Whooooo meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee? B. |Valerie, | |I would love to not fight but when Bugs goes into other newsgroups I am |on and slams me there I can not contain my thoughts…it is such a low |thing, as to be…can’t even think of a word to translate my thoughts on |it….really a low thing to stoop to. | |Tammy

Response:

C, Oh, does Bugs do this on a regular basis….she really should be reported then…yes, sick is the word. Bugs must have a pretty sorry life to spend so much time tracking people down in other newgroups….sad. Tammy

Response:

Oh, now C. speaks up about me?  I love it….   she’s a quiet cat until she can’t help but open her trap about me.  And this is lovely…  C. and Debby Juicy are buddies now?  Maybe Debby can convince C. to feed her cats this horrible, raw meat and bones diet. Good luck to the both of you together. Bugs

|C, | |Oh, does Bugs do this on a regular basis….she really should be |reported then…yes, sick is the word. | |Bugs must have a pretty sorry life to spend so much time tracking people |down in other newgroups….sad. | |Tammy

Response:

Rebecca, You got it now…good job Tammy

Response:

Yeah Bunny breath, Raw feeding is so terrible that is why so many holisitic vets recommend it…you are so full if shit…I never set out to convince anyone to feed raw…you are having that reading problem again. Tammy

Response:

Oh, now C. speaks up about me?  I love it….   she’s a quiet cat until she can’t help but open her trap about me.  And this is lovely…  C. and Debby Juicy are buddies now?  Maybe Debby can convince C. to feed her cats this horrible, raw meat and bones diet. Good luck to the both of you together. Bugs

It’s a diet recommended by Anitra Frazier, Dr. Pitcairn, Dr. Levy, and others.  It is often recommended as a more holistic way of feeding. And yes, to those of us grounded in Western science, the thought that "cooking destroys the life force", and that there is a life-force that permeates the world, is a bit hard to swallow.  But I went to a holistic doctor recently, and as she put it, Western medicine is very good at fixing things that are wrong, but not so good at keeping things healthy.  Eastern medicine is very good at keeping things healthy, but not so good at fixing them when they go wrong.  The two are compatible and complementary, not opposites.  Feeding a raw diet is quite possible, although it’s not something to be entered into without some thought, since a bad raw diet is as detrimental as a bad commercial one.  But feeding cats a raw, healthy diet, with bones, is certainly possible! Rebecca

Response:

hi Valerie,    I’ve been a member of this newsgroup for a very long time and believe me things are much better around here than they used to be! Hang in there ok? Ginny, Garth, Wags, Scarlett and Silky  ^..^<

That’s what I was thinking!  <g  Cathy

Response:

: To all, : : This is slightly off topic, but I think it needs to be said. : : I have seen many, many arguments posted to this newsgroup within the last : few weeks.  Personally, I am not a frequent visitor to this newsgroup, but I : do enjoy reading the messages posted here.  I laugh at the stories of : kittens’ antics.  I cry at the stories of the loss of a loved friend.  I : learn from the posts of those who have been through similar situations that : I and my cat(s) face. : : However, I am dismayed at the arguments that have popped up recently. They : distract from the overall purpose of this newsgroup… that of sharing : information and experiences.  It also discourages people from even sharing : in the first place, because they may be afraid that they will be flamed for : their input. : : I am not going to point any fingers or lay any blame.  I will just offer one : small bit of advice.  If you are flamed, or if someone posts a message that : you find offensive and rude… : : IGNORE IT. : : Flaming that person back, or adding another rude message will not help, it : will only make the situation worse.  It’s hard to do sometimes… believe : me, I know.  But I’ve never seen any good come out of a flame war. : : I understand that I will probably be flamed myself for this note.  So be it. : But before you do, please take a moment to sit back, relax, and think about : it first.  If you still feel it’s necessary, then have at it.  :) : : Thanks for taking the time to read this and for putting up with me.  :) : : -Valerie : : : Valerie, There are many informative posts with useful information in here and I have learned a lot over the years (been on the newsgroups for years).  There are always a few pompous asses or opinionated people who crop up from  time to time but, in a while, they go back into the woodwork.  Yes!  I have been *flamed* for some of my posts but that doesn’t bother me because, I either read what the person has to say and learn from it because it is informative or just figure that that person has nothing better to do and let it go. Some people in here have a lot of first hand information to give without flaming others and those are the posts that I read.  I disregard the posts that don’t or the people having a flame war going on.  We all have different opinions on a lot of things and there is more than one opinion or helpful hint that will work.  It all depends on the individuals and their kitties as to what works for them.  I have a cat with hyperthyroidism and cat with feline asthma at the moment so I look for the posts pertaining to their problems as an example.  If I see anyone who is having a problem with them as well as problems with what I have had in the past, I will try to help if I can.  Hang in there!  =^;^= Barb

Response:

hi Valerie,    I’ve been a member of this newsgroup for a very long time and believe me things are much better around here than they used to be! Hang in there ok? Ginny, Garth, Wags, Scarlett and Silky  ^..^<  I’m out of estrogen….and I’ve got a gun.

Response:

Every once in awhile people get a little too opinionated, and won’t allow others to express their own without resorting to personal attacks, and egos get stepped on and tempers flare, but then things calm down and everyone gets civil again. It is a great newsgroup, I got tons of help when Shadow was sick. So don’t give up on it…

Response:

(Kidding… ) Valerie, It’s like waking up on the wrong side of the bed in here sometimes.  Tempers do flare up, but what’s going on in here now is verrrrrrry relaxed compared to some threads!  Besides, the main "cause" usually goes away like a bad cold.  Buck up!  It’s just a fiery news group "at times"…  and if you don’t like what you read, don’t read that particular thread, or use your killfilter.  Stick around, okay? Bugsy

|To all, | |This is slightly off topic, but I think it needs to be said. | |I have seen many, many arguments posted to this newsgroup within the last |few weeks.  Personally, I am not a frequent visitor to this newsgroup, but I |do enjoy reading the messages posted here.  I laugh at the stories of |kittens’ antics.  I cry at the stories of the loss of a loved friend.  I |learn from the posts of those who have been through similar situations that |I and my cat(s) face. | |However, I am dismayed at the arguments that have popped up recently.  They |distract from the overall purpose of this newsgroup… that of sharing |information and experiences.  It also discourages people from even sharing |in the first place, because they may be afraid that they will be flamed for |their input. | |I am not going to point any fingers or lay any blame.  I will just offer one |small bit of advice.  If you are flamed, or if someone posts a message that |you find offensive and rude… | |IGNORE IT. | |Flaming that person back, or adding another rude message will not help, it |will only make the situation worse.  It’s hard to do sometimes… believe |me, I know.  But I’ve never seen any good come out of a flame war. | |I understand that I will probably be flamed myself for this note.  So be it. |But before you do, please take a moment to sit back, relax, and think about |it first.  If you still feel it’s necessary, then have at it. | |Thanks for taking the time to read this and for putting up with me.  :) | |-Valerie | | |

Response:

I am guilty of the flame wars, but I hereby bow down.  I am here for support as I have a situation with a kitten that is far bigger than he should be and has behaviours and attitudes that I’ve never encountered before.  We should all be mature and realize that this is going nowhere fast.  I hope the group accepts my apology for my rudeness.  I was very wrong.  I will try to keep my temper in check. Sincerely, Rechelle – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – To all, This is slightly off topic, but I think it needs to be said. I have seen many, many arguments posted to this newsgroup within the last few weeks.  Personally, I am not a frequent visitor to this newsgroup, but I do enjoy reading the messages posted here.  I laugh at the stories of kittens’ antics.  I cry at the stories of the loss of a loved friend.  I learn from the posts of those who have been through similar situations that I and my cat(s) face. However, I am dismayed at the arguments that have popped up recently.  They distract from the overall purpose of this newsgroup… that of sharing information and experiences.  It also discourages people from even sharing in the first place, because they may be afraid that they will be flamed for their input. I am not going to point any fingers or lay any blame.  I will just offer one small bit of advice.  If you are flamed, or if someone posts a message that you find offensive and rude… IGNORE IT. Flaming that person back, or adding another rude message will not help, it will only make the situation worse.  It’s hard to do sometimes… believe me, I know.  But I’ve never seen any good come out of a flame war. I understand that I will probably be flamed myself for this note.  So be it. But before you do, please take a moment to sit back, relax, and think about it first.  If you still feel it’s necessary, then have at it.  :) Thanks for taking the time to read this and for putting up with me.  :) -Valerie

Response:

Question:

I know I only got him started on the antibiotics yesterday but he is feeling BAD.. He won’t eat, he’s limping from the shot in the hip he got ( not so worried about that, he likes to malinger about boo boos) and he keeps seeking out the hottest places in the house. I tried to sneak his oral antibiotic into some salmon juice so I don’t have to wrestle him to give it to him..  he lapped up a tiny bit of it but not enough.(Hobbes on the other hand ate his dose, and Shadow’s dose and tried to eat Webster’s)  When I gave him his dose this morning his breathing was so ragged it scared me. Of course he was very upset about the whole thing. Anybody know how long it takes cats to recover from bronchitis??  He has a pretty bad case of it, especially one lung but it had not progressed to pnuemonia.

Response:

Hi, Marcia, Poor Webster.  He really needs that antibiotic – if he won’t drink it voluntarily, then you need to syringe it into his mouth.  Also, do you have a heating pad?  If so, he might like that.  Be careful – it can be harmful if they lay directly on it too long.  The best thing to do is use the lowest setting, and put some bubble wrap or a fluffy towel over it to diffuse the heat. I tracked down a web page that has detailed info on feline asthma, a.k.a. feline bronchitis: http://www.bestfriends.org/members/health/felasthma.htm Hope that helps.  Good luck, and kisses to Webster, Paige – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I know I only got him started on the antibiotics yesterday but he is feeling BAD.. He won’t eat, he’s limping from the shot in the hip he got ( not so worried about that, he likes to malinger about boo boos) and he keeps seeking out the hottest places in the house. I tried to sneak his oral antibiotic into some salmon juice so I don’t have to wrestle him to give it to him..  he lapped up a tiny bit of it but not enough.(Hobbes on the other hand ate his dose, and Shadow’s dose and tried to eat Webster’s)  When I gave him his dose this morning his breathing was so ragged it scared me. Of course he was very upset about the whole thing. Anybody know how long it takes cats to recover from bronchitis??  He has a pretty bad case of it, especially one lung but it had not progressed to pnuemonia.

Response:

I know I only got him started on the antibiotics yesterday but he is feeling BAD.. He won’t eat, he’s limping from the shot in the hip he got ( not so worried about that, he likes to malinger about boo boos) and he keeps seeking out the hottest places in the house. I tried to sneak his oral antibiotic into some salmon juice so I don’t have to wrestle him to give it to him..  he lapped up a tiny bit of it but not enough.(Hobbes on the other hand ate his dose, and Shadow’s dose and tried to eat Webster’s)  When I gave him his dose this morning his breathing was so ragged it scared me. Of course he was very upset about the whole thing. Anybody know how long it takes cats to recover from bronchitis??  He has a pretty bad case of it, especially one lung but it had not progressed to pnuemonia.

Response:

Hi, Marcia, Poor Webster.  He really needs that antibiotic – if he won’t drink it voluntarily, then you need to syringe it into his mouth.  Also, do you have a heating pad?  If so, he might like that.  Be careful – it can be harmful if they lay directly on it too long.  The best thing to do is use the lowest setting, and put some bubble wrap or a fluffy towel over it to diffuse the heat. I tracked down a web page that has detailed info on feline asthma, a.k.a. feline bronchitis: http://www.bestfriends.org/members/health/felasthma.htm Hope that helps.  Good luck, and kisses to Webster, Paige – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I know I only got him started on the antibiotics yesterday but he is feeling BAD.. He won’t eat, he’s limping from the shot in the hip he got ( not so worried about that, he likes to malinger about boo boos) and he keeps seeking out the hottest places in the house. I tried to sneak his oral antibiotic into some salmon juice so I don’t have to wrestle him to give it to him..  he lapped up a tiny bit of it but not enough.(Hobbes on the other hand ate his dose, and Shadow’s dose and tried to eat Webster’s)  When I gave him his dose this morning his breathing was so ragged it scared me. Of course he was very upset about the whole thing. Anybody know how long it takes cats to recover from bronchitis??  He has a pretty bad case of it, especially one lung but it had not progressed to pnuemonia.

Response:

I know I only got him started on the antibiotics yesterday but he is feeling BAD.. He won’t eat, he’s limping from the shot in the hip he got ( not so worried about that, he likes to malinger about boo boos) and he keeps seeking out the hottest places in the house. I tried to sneak his oral antibiotic into some salmon juice so I don’t have to wrestle him to give it to him..  he lapped up a tiny bit of it but not enough.(Hobbes on the other hand ate his dose, and Shadow’s dose and tried to eat Webster’s)  When I gave him his dose this morning his breathing was so ragged it scared me. Of course he was very upset about the whole thing. Anybody know how long it takes cats to recover from bronchitis??  He has a pretty bad case of it, especially one lung but it had not progressed to pnuemonia.

Response:

Hi, Marcia, Poor Webster.  He really needs that antibiotic – if he won’t drink it voluntarily, then you need to syringe it into his mouth.  Also, do you have a heating pad?  If so, he might like that.  Be careful – it can be harmful if they lay directly on it too long.  The best thing to do is use the lowest setting, and put some bubble wrap or a fluffy towel over it to diffuse the heat. I tracked down a web page that has detailed info on feline asthma, a.k.a. feline bronchitis: http://www.bestfriends.org/members/health/felasthma.htm Hope that helps.  Good luck, and kisses to Webster, Paige – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I know I only got him started on the antibiotics yesterday but he is feeling BAD.. He won’t eat, he’s limping from the shot in the hip he got ( not so worried about that, he likes to malinger about boo boos) and he keeps seeking out the hottest places in the house. I tried to sneak his oral antibiotic into some salmon juice so I don’t have to wrestle him to give it to him..  he lapped up a tiny bit of it but not enough.(Hobbes on the other hand ate his dose, and Shadow’s dose and tried to eat Webster’s)  When I gave him his dose this morning his breathing was so ragged it scared me. Of course he was very upset about the whole thing. Anybody know how long it takes cats to recover from bronchitis??  He has a pretty bad case of it, especially one lung but it had not progressed to pnuemonia.

Response: