Last week, the Mom drug me off to see Dr. Stabby again. I am getting rather tired of going there!
Again, they stretched me out like a pancake and took photos of my insides (x-rays). Dr. Stabby told the Mom there was no change between the last x-ray and this one.
Dr. Stabby told the Mom that she should treat me for lungworm, which the Mom had never heard of before. The Mom went and researched it some and found out that it is a parasite that kitties get from eating infected rodents and other small animals (which I never do) or from drinking contaminated water (I drink bottled Spring water). The Mom gave it a lot of thought and decided it wasn't worth traumatizing me with that awful medication they use to treat lungworm at this time. She said that there is a very tiny chance that I would ever get this parasite, but she will talk to the fill-in vet this week to see what she thinks. Dr. Stabby said the vet she consulted recommended treating me for lungworm simply as a rule out to other things.
All I know is that it means I don't have to be tortured with 3mg of horrible chalky liquid everyday for a week.
A note from the Mom: Symptoms of lungworm include coughing, shortness of breath, and sometimes weight loss. Milita is not experiencing any of these symptoms. Rather, she sounds a little congested at times. If the fill-in vet feels it's best to treat her, then I will definitely do so. I'd feel better, though, if they took a fecal sample to test rather than taking a shot in the dark.
Dr. Stabby said that I have feline asthma, and the Mom agrees with that. The Mom thinks we should be focusing our efforts on getting my asthma stable. Dr. Stabby recommended raising my Prednisolone dose from 5mg to 7.5mg a day, so the Mom has been doing that for the past couple of days now.
Dr. Stabby also wanted us to change to a lower dust litter, so we are trying out Dr. Elsy's Precious Cat Ultra Premium Clumping Cat litter. Carmine and I haven't minded the transition so far. The Mom mixed our old litter with the Precious Cat this week, and in a few days, she will switch us all the way over to the Precious Cat.
Milita will be going back to the vet on Friday. I hope that she will be sounding better with the increase in Prednisolone.
We're sorry to hear you were dragged off to the vet again Militia - we hope that you will be getting better with the higher amount of the prednisolone.
ReplyDeleteLuv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
We're sorry to hear you were dragged off to the vet again Militia - we hope that you will be getting better with the higher amount of the prednisolone.
ReplyDeleteLuv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
We agree with your Mom! Hope you are feeling and sounding better soon, sweet girl. Sending lots of purrs your way.
ReplyDeleteXOXO
Milita, we purr that you are feeling better real soon.
ReplyDeletePurring for you!
ReplyDeleteHugs to you pretty Lita. We sure hope things finally settle down for you sweet girl.
ReplyDeleteI hate it when the vet doesn't know what it is and can't just say they don't know but feels compelled to diagnose something. Sounds like a good choice, to get a second opinion. Hope it gets figured out soon! Purrs.
ReplyDeleteI think your Mom was smart to not treat for the lungworm. I am praying you feel better soon.Good idea to change the litter too.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure why the vet wanted you to be treated for lungworm, since it sounds so unlikely and you didn't really have the right symptoms, Milita! Especially considering how much taking meds stresses you out. I'm glad your human is getting another opinion on this.
ReplyDeleteI think you have a smart mom, Milita. Sometimes the vets seem to be just guessing... that why they call it a "practice". Hope you feel better soon.
ReplyDeletexxoo
We are all purring for you Lita and agree with others that the lungworm seems a shot in the dark.
ReplyDeleteYour prednisolone was upped to 7.5mg were you having breathing issues? Rumpy has Asthma and was on Triamcinolone 5mg daily to control episodes of asthmatic cough. We switched to Tidy Cat lightweight and in a month or so he went to 5mg every 3 days. We have an aerocat spacer for and inhaler but he refuses to move past learning to sit for Dad. Just will not take that mask. Dad also bought a better vacuum that may also have been part of the answer.
Purrs
Timmy and Family
Paws crossed ! We hope you get better soon, Milita. Purrs
ReplyDeleteWe use Dr. Elsy's litter for the same reason (less dust) - if you have access to Amazon Prime, the price is more reasonable and it comes to your door.
ReplyDeletelita...now thatz a werm we due knot wanna see ore mezz with....hope ya get ta feelin 100 purr cent better...blessing frum R pal frank az all wayz ~~~~ ♥♥♥
ReplyDeleteI have to agree that lungworm sounds most unlikely and treating for it is pointless. I hope you are soon feeling better Lita.
ReplyDeleteWe hope you will be feeling better soon! Thank you for visiting us when we lost Julie, it was comforting to hear from all our old friends and helped make it a little better. We feel badly we haven't written before this but it is such a difficult thing to do. Best wishes and healing purrs!
ReplyDeletePaws crossed for good news!
ReplyDeleteWe sure hope that the dust-free litter makes a difference for you and that you get some answers soon. If not, ask whether you can get a frequent flyer card at the vet. It's the least they can do.
ReplyDeleteI think Dr.Stabby is right and that it prob is feline asthma. You should talk to Brian's Daddy because one of his kitties has feline asthma. Hoping you get some better info soon. xoxo
ReplyDeleteFeel better, Milita! Our paws are crossed for you.
ReplyDeleteFeel better, Milita! Our paws are crossed for you.
ReplyDeleteFeel better, Milita! Our paws are crossed for you.
ReplyDeletePoor baby.I pray that a compassionate,well trained vet can be found who will give this little one the care she deserves.
ReplyDeleteWe sure hope that the up of the meds and change in litter will help a lot.
ReplyDeleteLungworm?? Sheesh...maybe the vet didn't want to admit that she misdiagnosed something fairly simple...so a far fetched one is better to have a go at...sounds like when the original vet said Minko had pancreatitis, but no he has IBD...
I love Dr. Elsey! Mommy uses CatAttract in my litterbox cause it is so soft on toes! And keeps odors in control and doesn't have a smelly of it's own (perfume free)...
ReplyDeleteAren't we lucky kitties??