Cat Owners: Do Any Of You Know What's Good For...??
By pyewacket
@pyewacket (43903)
United States
February 4, 2008 9:27pm CST
Okay I'm looking for help here especially from my friends here who have cats and I know quite a few of you do.
Seems like I'm going through another health challenge with my kitty Pyewacket. If you remember back in early December I asked for your prayers as he had a terrible abscess, and I just plain didn't have the funds to take him to a vet..don't even have a vet now as my old one retired. Anyway, I resorted to using my sage compresses, and my pet rescuer friend sent me down antibiotics. Well between the compresses I gave him and the antibiotics he healed fantastically and I like to think it was also helped by all the prayers you folks sent my way for him
Well now I need some kind of advice again, and of course your prayers. Pyewacket has always had very minor respiratory problems, more like allergies maybe?? But it never bothered him, he eats, drinks well, he's active. Then just the other night he had what I can only describe as sort of like an asthma attack...It freaked me out to say the least. Well, since I still have the antibiotics I gave him some, and then he seemed fine....he snapped out of it..until tonight he had another breathing attack. Well I do happen to have some holistic and herbal books for natural healing for cats, and have even been looking at various websites as well. I'm getting some rather weird combos of what to give cats for respiratory problems...one is to give a few drops of diluted apple cider vinegar from one place, another suggested a combo of boiling up and making an infusion of a combined thyme, apple cider vinegar and honey and then give drops of it throughout the day and night.
I just emailed my pet rescuer friend again if she has any advice but I won't hear from her until tomorrow morning as she goes to bed REAL early, like 9:00 p.m. I'm also wondering if maybe snapping open a garlic pill and giving him that...some places say garlic is the worse thing to give, while one holistic author, Anitra Frazier swears by it...I did happen to have a cat in the past who had asthma and I did give it to him and it worked so well he never had asthma attacks again....But because of the contradictions I'm reading now I'm hesitant in giving Pyewacket garlic. I even resorted to boiling up some water and put some Vick's vapor rub in it and let him inhale that....it seemed to work a bit and his breathing has calmed down a bit. Honestly, I'm running around hovering over him like a crazed mother hen.
BUT---if any of you have any suggestions of what NATURAL cures to help respiratory problems in cats...I'm all ears...and also could use your prayers again for Pyewacket.
16 people like this
31 responses
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
5 Feb 08
Hi Pyewacket...sorry to hear about the challenges you and your precious fur-baby namesake here are having a rough time. I have started to send energetic support to you and him. In the event that you do have an emergency isn't there some vet in your area that would be willing to allow you pay fees on terms? All the veterinary clinics around here will provide emergency service when an animal is in need.
In regard to what to do...have you tried doing a little 'energy work' on him? Perhaps placing him on your lap...on his back, or sitting...whatever is comfortable for him. If you use that wonderful intuitive knowing of yours to channel some healing energy to his upper respiratory system you could act as a conduit for the healing and prayer support you are both being sent from all of us as of this post.
Warm, loving regards...and I am here if there is anything else I can assist with. The best thing for both of you is to try and stay calm...Pyewacket will be attuned to you as you are with him...and sensing agitation within you is the last thing he needs right now.
Raia
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
5 Feb 08
Oh, believe me I know not to be agitated around him. :)
I've been talking calmly to him and petting him all night. Right now he's resting on my bed and his breathing has calmed down considerably...I plan to do a regiment of the antibiotics...just in case it's more of a respiratory infection, and if I have to will turn my bathroom into a steambath and sit in with him. I'm just trying to figure if there is some herbal type thing I can give him that would help him also. And yes I've even done a healing "ritual" for him.
And thank you for sending your healing energies (((hugs)))
7 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
7 Feb 08
Pyewacket's breathing is so much better..still watching over him like a mother hen and frankly think he loves the extra attention. I do happen to have vet strength antibiotics so have been giving them to him....To be honest I could use healing energies myself as I'm still having my foot and ankle problems...I admit not to being a very good "patient" myself...I should take one full week off from going out..but I absolutely go bonkers not going out...so I often have stayed home one day, out the next at least but then my feet and ankles bother me all over again. So yes, kind of dumb, like I said should just stay home one full week...but then I always do have errands out of the home to do...sooo
1 person likes this
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
7 Feb 08
You are welcome for the energetic support for both of you. Just checking in to see how he...and you are doing. Hope he is feeling better and that you discovered some herbal remedies to help Pyewacket feel more comfortable.
Raia
2 people like this
@lightningd (1039)
• United States
5 Feb 08
It sounds like it might be hair balls. They have a tasty paste you can give cats to help with hair balls. The one I recommend is called Petromalt and it is available for 5.69 a tube, it's very tasty and cats love it. You can get it through valleyvet.com This is also good for dry cough. Valley vet also has other hairball remedies. I have used this in the past with great results.
Hope that helps!!
6 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
5 Feb 08
No, don't think it's hairballs...my grandmother had asthma so I know what asthma is like...but yes I've heard and used Petromalt before
4 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
5 Feb 08
Okay...I'll give it a try...there's a petland near me where I can get it.
4 people like this
@lightningd (1039)
• United States
5 Feb 08
I know that it's good for dry cough as well. It sure wouldn't hurt to try. Short of talking to a vet, I'm not sure what else you could try. The petromalt would help sooth the breathing tube/throat as well. It was just a thought.
5 people like this
@LittleMel (8742)
• Canada
5 Feb 08
sorry pye I don't know any particular help for cats
I would go with Vicks and the boiling water or perhaps I will add Eucalyptus oil instead. I used this myself a couple of times when I was small. on top of that maybe you can try keeping him warm like wrapping dry towel around him, but if he is an active cat then this is difficult.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
5 Feb 08
Fortunately the Vick's does have Eucalyptus in it, but if I can find the pure oil somewhere I'll get it.
5 people like this
@gmakesmoney (2923)
• United States
5 Feb 08
I'm sorry to hear that poor Pyewacket is not feeling well. I can understand how stressed and worried you must be feeling.
I've only had a breathing problem with my cat twice. We had her boarded for a weekend and she came back with a bad cough and sneezing that lasted for months... despite her getting the shot to prevent just that right before going there. One night her breathing sounded really funky and since I knew next to nothing about cats I just automatically did for her what I do for me and rubbed a tiny bit of vick vaporub on her nose so she could breathe. She wasn't excited and made that "something stinks" face but it worked. The second time was last winter in a very drafty house and she sounded like she had some sort of cold from the draft. So I put a humidifer on with some vaporub in that little tray, in the room where she slept and spent the most time. That did the trick. She's even gotten over the scent and since I often have sinus problems I keep my warm vaporizor on in the floor of my bedroom and when she's feeling stuffy she'll go stick her face in the vapors for a while, lol. It's the craziest thing ever but it works for her and me.
So... my advice is if you have a vaporizer run it with some vaporub or the vaporub liquid in it in the room where your cat spends the most time. Use a warm vapor vaporizer (my vicks brand one was just $12.99) so that kitty doesn't get burned by the vapors if he gets curious and gets close or sticks his face in it like my cat does.
Good luck!
5 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
5 Feb 08
I was looking at that website you mentioned to me...remember?...they keep saying how great apple cider vinegar is for pets...diluted of course...even I CAN'T stand the taste of it..LOL
The vick's vaporub seemed to work for Pyewacket...he's resting on my bed now and his breathing has calmed down quite a bit...I don't have a vaporizer/humidifier though...I just boiled water and added it to the water in a bowl then let him smell it...ewww...he didn't care for it...LOL..but like I said it helped a bit and yikes it sure opened up my lousy sinuses...lol
4 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
5 Feb 08
Well Pyewacket is doing much better today....think the vicks helped..LOL. He never wears a collar so the idea of putting a fabric stuffed with something that has vicks in it wouldn't work. :(
1 person likes this
@gmakesmoney (2923)
• United States
5 Feb 08
I love that site, I used the apple cider vineger on my face for the super bad psoriasis and not only has it cleared that up but my pores too! I don't know about using it on a cat though, I doubt they'd drink it on their own so that could be a struggle.
Vaporub rocks, I love that stuff. I'm so used to it that after a few seconds I don't even smell it anymore, lol. It's like the Hispanic cure all, if something hurts, is broken, for pimples, for fevers, cough, cold, flu, neausea... we use it for everything. So to me it was only natural to try it on the cat, lol. I have an idea... what about taking an extra piece of fabric and stuffing it with a cotton ball that has a bit of vicks on it and sewing that or tieing it somehow onto your cat's collar? He might not like it but it may help when his breathing is funny?
6 people like this
@GardenGerty (160949)
• United States
6 Feb 08
I think caffeine might be harmful, I know a related substance in chocolate, theobromine, can be fatal.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
5 Feb 08
Yes, I've heard how coffee can open up the tubes in not only kids but adults as well, but no I don't think cats can have coffee
5 people like this
@jhl930 (3601)
• United States
5 Feb 08
I'm sorry to hear about your cat....I think that I have heard somewhere that you can get a certain kind of cat food that is suppose to help them in the respiratory department...I don't know how, because I didn't think cat food could do anyting like that but I have heard from more than one person...I hope that this can help your cat...and another thing I have heard that if a child has respiratory problem you could run a vaporizor(not sure if that is spelled right or not...but you could try that)wouldnt hurt!!!!
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
5 Feb 08
What kind of cat food though?? I did boil up water and put vick's vapor rub in it and let him inhale it...I don't have a vaporizer...worse comes to worse could give him a steambath in the bathroom..
4 people like this
@LovingIt (5396)
• United States
5 Feb 08
Hill's Prescription Foods makes foods for cats with allergies, but you have to get it from a vet.
This cat really does need to be seen by a vet. These symptoms are not only symptoms of asthma, but it's a symptom of heart disease. I lost an 11 month old cat to HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). This can be treated if it is caught early, but it can't be treated with home remedies and if not treated early there is nothing you can do. If you want to read about it, here's a link. http://dsl.org/hcm/ There are so many thing that this could be, that it would be a shame to waste time looking for it on your own, when a few dollars spent at the vet could save his life.
4 people like this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
5 Feb 08
I'm wondering if Iams cat food has anything along these lines? I have Anna Belle on a new type of Iams, for cats with digestive problems. Because she's a long hair, she's always bringing up hairballs, and has a very delicate digestive system anyway. I was giving her the (orange bag) hairball Iams, but this new kind is working better for her.
3 people like this
@LovingIt (5396)
• United States
5 Feb 08
Are you sure he isn't trying to cough up a hairball? That's what it sounds like to me. The way it's sporatic like that and not an everyday thing, that sounds more like what may be going on -- they really do resemble an asthma attack in people.
I am a former cat breeder and still have 17 cats here. I have on that is asthmatic, but once his attacks start, he has them a lot more often than you are describing. If it is asthma, I would somehow find the money to take him to a vet. Asthma isn't something that can be easily treated with home cures -- usually something such as steroids are needed - either orally or by injection.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
5 Feb 08
I read your response elsewhere where you're suggesting that it might be HCM...It's definitely not HCM, as I read that website link your provided and read the symptoms...Pyewacket is definitely not lethargic nor apathtic in eating....he eats very well...in fact as I write this he's having he's evening meal...LOL. Also money right now is a issue ...I get SSI Disability and this month was a winner as far as bills, I have like $24.00 cash money for the remainder of the month (I do get food stamps, thank God)and that remaining money goes to getting cat food and the like
I've had cats since I was five years old (I'm now 52)...nope this isn't just a hairball thing as I know the difference as my grandmother had asthma...She too didn't have asthma attacks all the time..At the moment Pyewacket is all right, he's breathing is normal now. I am thinking of maybe getting that Petromalt as someone suggested just in case it is a hairball thing. And as I mentioned I am giving him antibiotics in case it is a respiratory infection he has.
1 person likes this
@brandonknies (305)
• United States
5 Feb 08
i say try the garlic. if it bothers you little fuzzit's stomach, he'll eat some grass and throw it back up.
5 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
6 Feb 08
Well so far he's doing better..think that vicks "steam" I did last night helped...but yeah, might do the garlic
1 person likes this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
5 Feb 08
Cats can be allergic to litter box....didn't you change his litter lately?
Also, he can have cold or flu, just like people have...
I would just calm him and change litter box.
I use natural pine. It is cheaper than other brands and hypoallergenic...
Cats are very sensitive. I would look at changing or alternating his food.
5 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
5 Feb 08
I usually use either Johnny Cat or Fresh Step litter...I never use the clumping kind as I can't stand it and can't help thinking the "dust" or granules of those kinds of litters can be inhaled. I've never noticed that pine type litter as being cheaper here...about five or six dollars more which is why I don't get it. As far as food I get Fancy Feast...it's the only thing my two will eat save for Sheba and turn their nose down at anything else
5 people like this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
5 Feb 08
I am so sorry to here about Pye. I hope he feels better real soon.
5 people like this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
7 Feb 08
Whew! That's good to hear. When he lets you , pet him for me. Take care.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
6 Feb 08
He's doing much better today, thank goodness, but I'm watching him and began giving him vet strength antibiotics...think that vicks helped him...LOL--oh does he love that...NOT
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
5 Feb 08
Thank you Aurone..prayers always can help :)
1 person likes this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
5 Feb 08
Sorry I can't help ya with pyewacket's problem naturally but I'm never out of prayers. :-) I just sent another one up for him.
5 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
6 Feb 08
Thank you for your prayers...he's doing a lot better today...still watching him and giving him vet strength antibiotics...thank goodness I have them
1 person likes this
@teapotmommommerced (10359)
• United States
5 Feb 08
I am sending my thoughts and prayers because I do not know what else to do. I think vicks might help some besids that I do not know. Good luck
5 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
5 Feb 08
The vicks did help him....his breathing is okay now...but watching him like a hawk, and am giving him antibiotics in case it's some kind of respiratory infection
1 person likes this
@catriana13 (245)
• United States
5 Feb 08
I had a cat who has asthma once, it was no fun, so I totally sympathize with you. Anyway, catnip has healing qualities, as does eucalyptus, and I used to give my cat a blend of that when his breathing would act up. It did the trick most of the time. Hope this helps.
5 people like this
@catriana13 (245)
• United States
5 Feb 08
you can get eucalyptus leaf at your local health food store for relatively cheap. Not sure about the oil though.
6 people like this
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
5 Feb 08
All I have for you is prayers sweetie :(
I hope someone can give you something you feel comfortable with doing.
And I hope your pet rescuer friends calls soon (if she hasn't already) too.
Prayers & love are going up for you and for Pyewacket!
4 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
6 Feb 08
No haven't heard from my pet rescuer friend yet, but just remembered she's been having computer problems..figures. LOL Thank you for your prayers..he's doing a lot better tonight thank goodness but still watching him
1 person likes this
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
6 Feb 08
I'm glad he's doing better :)
Anytime on the prayers :)
2 people like this
@heavenschild (4777)
• Canada
5 Feb 08
I am so sorry to hear of this development and am sorry to say that I can not offer you any advice but wanted you to know that I am here with my prayers for your dear kitty as I am an animal lover as well having grown up on a farm...
Take Care My Friend!
HUGS
~Heavens~
4 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
6 Feb 08
Thank you ever for your prayers heavenschild..he seems to be doing better today and thank goodness I at least have some antibiotics to give him which I started him on late last night.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
5 Feb 08
I sure wish I had something to tell you to give him, Hon! You know it goes without saying, he's already gotten some prayers from me with more to come. I thought about black coffee because I know that's what they did for my niece when she was small and had terrible asthma attacks, but you said coffee isn't good for cats. That's good to know. My one cat goes crazy when I put Bengay or similar muscle rubs on, it has a similar effect of catnip so maybe you could try that? I sure hope he's feeling better right away.
Annie
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (160949)
• United States
6 Feb 08
You mentioned that rubs make people sick,and it is not just kids, but adults, as well, when they are applied to moist sweaty areas, because the pores open up and they absorb the chemicals straight into their blood stream. I always felt like the top of the head, on top of the hair was pretty safe. Another thing we need to be careful about would be things with salicylates in them or white willow bark as it is the same as aspirin and toxic (pink stomach stuff has bismuth salicylate, and is also toxic to kitties). I bet the cat likes the Bengay because of the wintergreen.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
6 Feb 08
The vicks seemed to help him last night and his breathing does seem normal now, but am giving him the vet strength antibiotics to him as a precaution....I'm thinking if need be could always create a steambath kind of thing in the bathroom and sit in there with him....oh, I just know he'll love that...NOT
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
6 Feb 08
He seems to be doing a lot better today...thank goodness...I do have antibiotics which I started giving him so that might help too.
1 person likes this
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
5 Feb 08
I didn't read all the advice that you got but I had asthma at one time and I have read that if a small child is having an asthma attack black coffee is good to give them. I know it's helped me through some close calls. You know pyeacket and you are in my prayers this morning and I hope it all works out and the little guy is up and at 'em soon.
4 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
6 Feb 08
Thank you for your prayers..he does seem to be doing better today, as if it never happened but it did give me a scare....the vicks steambath worked I think, plus luckily have antibiotics to give him
1 person likes this
