Comments on: New Adventures with Old Cat: Charlie has Asthma (Video!) http://gofetchgifts.com/blog/pet-health/new-adventures-with-old-cat-charlie-has-asthma-video/ Unique gifts for dog & cat lovers not found in stores. Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:34:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Another Charlie! http://gofetchgifts.com/blog/pet-health/new-adventures-with-old-cat-charlie-has-asthma-video/#comment-6106 Another Charlie! Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:34:42 +0000 http://gofetchgifts.com/blog/?p=385#comment-6106 Hi Leigh: Just wanted to log in an update. First up, for anyone that is still on the fence about it, the AeroKat spacer is a GREAT tool to have when dealing with an asthmatic kitty! It is made things a whole lot easier than the 'bag over the head' trick that I was asked to do. Also, it is a tad cheaper to order it through your vet (they've a physician's discount or some such.) As for Charlie, he HAS taken to the spacer better than expected. The whole "I'll give you a treat when this is done" is a fantastic trick! And thank YOU for that as well! So, at the moment 'we' last for about 10-15 breaths before wanting 'out.' As for the not so good news: I'm STILL waiting on the vet's office to get us the prescription. I was informed that they'll get it out to me today but we'll see... With the holidays last week, I guess everything has slowed down a bit. I'll post another update in the coming weeks. Thanks again for all the help! Hi Leigh:
Just wanted to log in an update.
First up, for anyone that is still on the fence about it, the AeroKat spacer is a GREAT tool to have when dealing with an asthmatic kitty! It is made things a whole lot easier than the ‘bag over the head’ trick that I was asked to do. Also, it is a tad cheaper to order it through your vet (they’ve a physician’s discount or some such.)
As for Charlie, he HAS taken to the spacer better than expected. The whole “I’ll give you a treat when this is done” is a fantastic trick! And thank YOU for that as well! So, at the moment ‘we’ last for about 10-15 breaths before wanting ‘out.’
As for the not so good news: I’m STILL waiting on the vet’s office to get us the prescription. I was informed that they’ll get it out to me today but we’ll see… With the holidays last week, I guess everything has slowed down a bit.
I’ll post another update in the coming weeks. Thanks again for all the help!

]]> By: admin http://gofetchgifts.com/blog/pet-health/new-adventures-with-old-cat-charlie-has-asthma-video/#comment-6105 admin Thu, 05 Apr 2012 19:42:11 +0000 http://gofetchgifts.com/blog/?p=385#comment-6105 That's exactly right...you don't want Charlie on steroids long-term. I just mentioned putting him on them for now, until the Flovent comes, to get him out of danger. That is exactly what my vet did for my cat. The old treatment (that some vets still do) is keeping the cat on prednisone/prednisolone long term just for the asthma. That is not really cool. But short term is fine! Good luck! Hopefully your Charlie will be a champ with the spacer like mine was :-) That’s exactly right…you don’t want Charlie on steroids long-term. I just mentioned putting him on them for now, until the Flovent comes, to get him out of danger. That is exactly what my vet did for my cat. The old treatment (that some vets still do) is keeping the cat on prednisone/prednisolone long term just for the asthma. That is not really cool. But short term is fine! Good luck! Hopefully your Charlie will be a champ with the spacer like mine was :-)

]]> By: Another Charlie! http://gofetchgifts.com/blog/pet-health/new-adventures-with-old-cat-charlie-has-asthma-video/#comment-6104 Another Charlie! Wed, 04 Apr 2012 20:16:01 +0000 http://gofetchgifts.com/blog/?p=385#comment-6104 Hey - Thanks again! I've been on the horn with the vet's office today and they're going to add a liquid form of prednisone (?) to his medication, I think. And I'm sorry re: the 'kitten' reference. Charlie and his sister are both 2 years old and will be 3 in June of this year. I keep thinking of them as kittens, I suppose! Augh! Anyhow, the vet doesn't seem to want the cat on a steroid pill/injection because he is worried about long-term side effects. But weaning him off of it once the Flovent becomes available should be okay, I'd think. I'll talk more with him and find out what my options are. Again, thanks for all the useful information and the support! I'll come back to post more re: what is happening with our boy! Hey – Thanks again! I’ve been on the horn with the vet’s office today and they’re going to add a liquid form of prednisone (?) to his medication, I think. And I’m sorry re: the ‘kitten’ reference. Charlie and his sister are both 2 years old and will be 3 in June of this year. I keep thinking of them as kittens, I suppose! Augh!
Anyhow, the vet doesn’t seem to want the cat on a steroid pill/injection because he is worried about long-term side effects. But weaning him off of it once the Flovent becomes available should be okay, I’d think. I’ll talk more with him and find out what my options are. Again, thanks for all the useful information and the support! I’ll come back to post more re: what is happening with our boy!

]]> By: admin http://gofetchgifts.com/blog/pet-health/new-adventures-with-old-cat-charlie-has-asthma-video/#comment-6103 admin Wed, 04 Apr 2012 02:01:31 +0000 http://gofetchgifts.com/blog/?p=385#comment-6103 Hi! I'm glad you found the site helpful. You're right...both Albuterol and Ventolin are for actual asthma attacks. They are for rescue. The Flovent is a steroid, and it is for prevention. There's more info on albuterol here: http://www.fritzthebrave.com/meds/inhaled.html You doctor should have given you a prednisone pill to use just until the Flovent comes. Maybe there is a reason he didn't want the cat on a steroid pill. You said it's a "kitten," so I'm not sure what that reason would be. If you still have over a week to go waiting for the Flovent, maybe ask your vet for prednisolone. That should start controlling the cough on day one or two. Then wean the cat off of it when you start daily Flovent. Good luck to your Charlie!!! Hi! I’m glad you found the site helpful. You’re right…both Albuterol and Ventolin are for actual asthma attacks. They are for rescue. The Flovent is a steroid, and it is for prevention. There’s more info on albuterol here: http://www.fritzthebrave.com/meds/inhaled.html You doctor should have given you a prednisone pill to use just until the Flovent comes. Maybe there is a reason he didn’t want the cat on a steroid pill. You said it’s a “kitten,” so I’m not sure what that reason would be. If you still have over a week to go waiting for the Flovent, maybe ask your vet for prednisolone. That should start controlling the cough on day one or two. Then wean the cat off of it when you start daily Flovent. Good luck to your Charlie!!!

]]> By: Another Charlie! http://gofetchgifts.com/blog/pet-health/new-adventures-with-old-cat-charlie-has-asthma-video/#comment-6102 Another Charlie! Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:25:21 +0000 http://gofetchgifts.com/blog/?p=385#comment-6102 Hello! I just wanted to say thanks for the Webpage, the video,... everything, really. We've discovered that our male kitten (Charlie!) has feline asthma. I've ordered the AeroKat (after TONS of hours of research! LOL) and right now I'm waiting for the Flovent to arrive via mail. My vet has prescribed Albuterol (liquid form) as well as the Ventolin puffer. However, the albuterol doesn't seem to be doing anything, in terms of controlling the cough. The puffer, from what I understand is just a reliever puffer, in that it'll make the animal feel better during an asthma attack, but not for more than a few hours (IE) nothing long term. If anyone out there any information re: what else I can do, if anything, to help the little guy, I'd surely appreciate it a whole lot! Thank you again for all the information... and (your) Charlie looked like a Prince, proper! Thanks! Hello! I just wanted to say thanks for the Webpage, the video,… everything, really. We’ve discovered that our male kitten (Charlie!) has feline asthma. I’ve ordered the AeroKat (after TONS of hours of research! LOL) and right now I’m waiting for the Flovent to arrive via mail. My vet has prescribed Albuterol (liquid form) as well as the Ventolin puffer. However, the albuterol doesn’t seem to be doing anything, in terms of controlling the cough. The puffer, from what I understand is just a reliever puffer, in that it’ll make the animal feel better during an asthma attack, but not for more than a few hours (IE) nothing long term. If anyone out there any information re: what else I can do, if anything, to help the little guy, I’d surely appreciate it a whole lot! Thank you again for all the information… and (your) Charlie looked like a Prince, proper! Thanks!

]]> By: Amanda http://gofetchgifts.com/blog/pet-health/new-adventures-with-old-cat-charlie-has-asthma-video/#comment-5966 Amanda Sat, 11 Feb 2012 10:24:44 +0000 http://gofetchgifts.com/blog/?p=385#comment-5966 Thank you for time, I will take him to the vet Thank you for time, I will take him to the vet

]]> By: admin http://gofetchgifts.com/blog/pet-health/new-adventures-with-old-cat-charlie-has-asthma-video/#comment-5780 admin Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:49:03 +0000 http://gofetchgifts.com/blog/?p=385#comment-5780 I understand Amanda :-( It's just that it COULD be other things, and if you have to wait for the flovent to arrive, the vet could start you on a steroid pill to take care of the coughing while you wait. An xray can confirm asthma. Good luck!!! I understand Amanda :-( It’s just that it COULD be other things, and if you have to wait for the flovent to arrive, the vet could start you on a steroid pill to take care of the coughing while you wait. An xray can confirm asthma. Good luck!!!

]]> By: Amanda http://gofetchgifts.com/blog/pet-health/new-adventures-with-old-cat-charlie-has-asthma-video/#comment-5741 Amanda Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:42:09 +0000 http://gofetchgifts.com/blog/?p=385#comment-5741 Hi have read all the posts with much interest. We have just acquired a cat who has been living outside for several years & now the neighbours old cat & dog have sadly gone he has been living in the garden. After feeding him for a few days he used to stare in through the window. Couldn't take the sad look for long and he has now moved in & totally taken over the house! He has a very bad cough. Coughs at least 4 times a day, mainly at night. No sign of fur balls, just a wheezy dry cough that upsets us more than him. Checked out YouTube and it does seem he has asthma. Do you think I should go ahead with the Flovent? It's just money is very tight & just a visit to the vets would pay for a Flovent? Would it be bad to not go to the vets for a proper diagnosis? Hi have read all the posts with much interest. We have just acquired a cat who has been living outside for several years & now the neighbours old cat & dog have sadly gone he has been living in the garden. After feeding him for a few days he used to stare in through the window. Couldn’t take the sad look for long and he has now moved in & totally taken over the house! He has a very bad cough. Coughs at least 4 times a day, mainly at night. No sign of fur balls, just a wheezy dry cough that upsets us more than him. Checked out YouTube and it does seem he has asthma. Do you think I should go ahead with the Flovent? It’s just money is very tight & just a visit to the vets would pay for a Flovent? Would it be bad to not go to the vets for a proper diagnosis?

]]> By: admin http://gofetchgifts.com/blog/pet-health/new-adventures-with-old-cat-charlie-has-asthma-video/#comment-5443 admin Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:23:49 +0000 http://gofetchgifts.com/blog/?p=385#comment-5443 That's great Johanna, that you are getting everything on track. Just goes to show that while we do need vets, they just don't always know everything. How many times have you had to look up an answer to something you once knew by heart in a book or something? Happens to us all the time, yet we never see vets do it. They don't always have all the answers, and some of them get very insulted if they feel you are trying to "do their job" for them. When I suspect something, I think my vet usually welcomes it because he knows I will OK extra testing above the norm....so he makes more money! Anyway, not sure if you meant your comment for me (I'm the blog owner, and my name is Leigh), but thank you for sharing your story!!! Good luck to Puppy! That’s great Johanna, that you are getting everything on track. Just goes to show that while we do need vets, they just don’t always know everything. How many times have you had to look up an answer to something you once knew by heart in a book or something? Happens to us all the time, yet we never see vets do it. They don’t always have all the answers, and some of them get very insulted if they feel you are trying to “do their job” for them. When I suspect something, I think my vet usually welcomes it because he knows I will OK extra testing above the norm….so he makes more money!

Anyway, not sure if you meant your comment for me (I’m the blog owner, and my name is Leigh), but thank you for sharing your story!!! Good luck to Puppy!

]]> By: Johanna http://gofetchgifts.com/blog/pet-health/new-adventures-with-old-cat-charlie-has-asthma-video/#comment-5442 Johanna Sat, 14 Jan 2012 16:25:19 +0000 http://gofetchgifts.com/blog/?p=385#comment-5442 Hi Beth. I just want to say thank you for all the advice. Like you, it took us years to realize our cat Puppy was asthmatic. Always ascribed it to "difficulty coughing up furballs." And we too found that our vet does not seem to know a lot about asthmatic cats. Worse, Puppy went into a panic attack when he went in for the appointment to investigate his very brief and infrequent spells of labored breathing, and the vet jus assumed he was ALWAYS in such a distressed state. I have had a very difficult time convincing our vet to please trust what we tell him about Puppy's daily behavior, to please understand that we LIVE with this cat, not him, so we know what's "normal" and what isn't. He also does not want to hear anything about our online research, research which has proven invaluable to us, from the first I heard "it could be asthma" -- and then found so many online videos of cats having asthma attacks. A "Eureka" moment, but we felt terrible that for years we thought it was merely furballs and were not treating Puppy as we should have. Our vet knew of this "furball" issue, yet never once suggested it could be asthma. Now we understand the difference, and that is thanks to sites like yours, not thanks to our vet. We now have to start Puppy on Flovent. And find another vet. Some vets just really do not understand cats, and that no cat acts normally when visiting the vet. I came to your site just to double check the prescribed dosage, and discovered so much more information. Thank you, I'm sure I'll be back! Hi Beth. I just want to say thank you for all the advice. Like you, it took us years to realize our cat Puppy was asthmatic. Always ascribed it to “difficulty coughing up furballs.” And we too found that our vet does not seem to know a lot about asthmatic cats. Worse, Puppy went into a panic attack when he went in for the appointment to investigate his very brief and infrequent spells of labored breathing, and the vet jus assumed he was ALWAYS in such a distressed state. I have had a very difficult time convincing our vet to please trust what we tell him about Puppy’s daily behavior, to please understand that we LIVE with this cat, not him, so we know what’s “normal” and what isn’t. He also does not want to hear anything about our online research, research which has proven invaluable to us, from the first I heard “it could be asthma” — and then found so many online videos of cats having asthma attacks. A “Eureka” moment, but we felt terrible that for years we thought it was merely furballs and were not treating Puppy as we should have. Our vet knew of this “furball” issue, yet never once suggested it could be asthma. Now we understand the difference, and that is thanks to sites like yours, not thanks to our vet. We now have to start Puppy on Flovent. And find another vet. Some vets just really do not understand cats, and that no cat acts normally when visiting the vet. I came to your site just to double check the prescribed dosage, and discovered so much more information. Thank you, I’m sure I’ll be back!

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