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1761287 tn?1313824787

Coughing, Choking Kitty...Please help...

hello I have recently taken my poor 8 yr old male Bombay, Shadow (aka Pnut or Doo) to the vet for an array of symptoms such as diarrhea, bumps on skin, sneezing, coughing, & difficulty swallowing. They gave him a couple of injections at the place & sent me home with some medication for his diarrhea. They wanted to do a chest xray, but I don't have the money for it. They suggested getting him on Imodium AD as well. His diarrhea is getting under control. However, I have a new issue. He has always had upper respitory problems such as sneezing & coughing. But lately it seems to be getting much worse. The coughing is more intense & lasts longer. I am not at home all the time & it worries me that he is having these attacks while I am gone. I was told that he might be asthmatic. I read on the internet about herbal remedies that can help relax the ariway muscles to allow for more oxygen to get in. I will provide a link to the one I am thinking of getting. Please, let me know what you think of it & if it is safe enough to use. I would call my vet about it, but they will just tell me he needs that chest xray. I can't do that, so I have no choice but to find a different solution. Thanks for any advice you can give me...Below is the link to that stuff...
It is called   Natural Pet Bronchial Wellness Herbal Formula

http://www.onlynaturalpet.com





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874521 tn?1424116797
just that most herbs are unless specified otherwise...would be in your best bet to phone and ask if you can find someone with enough knowledge that could answer that question.

I will give you a list that I know is SAFE for cat use and a supplier that I have ordered from many times...
for congestion: STINGING NETTLES works like human benadryl but without the side effects.
300mg 2x a day than reduce when symptoms improve.
these are the ONLY brands of Stinging Nettles that are recommended.
-NOW FOODS stinging nettles extract 250mg caps. or
NATURES WAY Nettle Herb 435 mg caps..
open the capsule and measure approx 300mg into the food..

http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-Nettle-Root-Extract-Stinging-250-mg-90-Vcaps/707?at=0

to support the immune system and help with upper respiratory infections many Vets prescribe this in a gel form, buying this way is much cheaper and you don't get all the unnecessary ingredients that the gel has. its an amino acid called L-Lysine...give 500mg(just a tad less than 1/4 teaspoon)    for 1 week than down to 250mg thereafter, many are on this for life..
here is one of the  SAFE brands I know of for cats.(safe b/c they contain NO soy, and are salt, sugar, starch and preservative FREE)
-CARLSON Powder amino acid powder.

http://www.iherb.com/Carlson-Labs-L-Lysine-Amino-Acid-Powder-100-g/13608?at=0

I have ordered many times from iherb, there prices are the best I can find...very reasonable and the shipping is only $4.

talk to your Vet about these and the other product you mentioned and get his feelings. both the products I listed are completely safe..much safer than prescription medications.
If he has alot of congestion take him into a steamy bathroom with you for a while and the steam will help clear some of the mucus and let him breath easier.(not the tub, just in the room)

good luck to you both, you are doing a good job trying as much as possible to help this little guy even when funds are really limited...post again if we can be of some help♥

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Helpful - 0
1761287 tn?1313824787
I just read up on that supplement again. I don't see anywhere that it says it's distilled with alcohol. I only see agave nectar & purified water. Also, I use the digestive enzymes that are for both dogs & cats & even horses...And it is completely safe. I also asked my vet about it & they couldn't see any reason not to give it to him. The bronchial supplement is by a different company, but I cannot see any harm in giving him something that is intended for animals. There are alot of great reviews about it from both cat & dog owners alike. Perhaps, you were looking at the wrong stuff? Don't know, but I might still give it a try. I can't really afford the $20 to get it, but I am more capable of affording that then the vet procedures. Sometimes, I honestly think that they just want your money. They may also want to help the animal feel better, but imagine if I did have the money & I did all of those tests & they were all normal. I mean I know my cat & I know that he doesn't have heart disease or anything lodged in his throat. He just coughs & chokes sometimes, but otherwise is energetic & as sweet as he ever was...
Helpful - 0
1761287 tn?1313824787
Unfortunately, my poor Doo came into this world with upper respiratory problems & has always suffered seasonal allergies as well. I cannot afford to get any additional procedures done at this time. I appreciate the heads up about the herbal supplement. I will find out from my vet if he should be on asthma medication. The only reason I am researching alternate ways to ease his symptoms is because I don't have the almost $400 it would cost to get bloodwork & the xray. No, my vet doesn't do payment plans. I was lucky enough to get the animal welfare people to pay for the recent visit. They won't do more. Understand the only way to pay for this is for me to not pay my rent, which I cannot do. So, if you can, please help me research if there are other supplements that would ease his asthmatic symptoms that are safe for cats. I am pretty sure it's either allergies or asthma because he has had these symptoms for many years. Thanks...
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
goodmorning...another possible problem that needs to be checked out that I thought of after my reply is heart disease..cats will often have asthma type symptoms with that too..

as far as the bronchial herb, one thing that stands out is its distilled with alcohol and alcohol isn't safe for cats, there are many herbs in that formula, I couldn't find much info on whether they were all safe for cats...there are few herbs that are so I would be very cautious using this one, esp when its marketed for both cats and dogs...b/c dogs can safely use many herbs that cats cannot...I always err on the side of caution.

I really hope you find away to pay for that xray and some blood tests to help your kitty and not throw your money on products that your not sure of when theres been no diagnosis...

good luck, keep posting and keep us updated♥
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
I will try to read up on that and get back to you with a reply tomorrow.....
In the meantime YES do call your Vet and ask what his opinion is.

I know you think the xray is too expensive however until you know exactly what you are trying to treat you may be buying and giving something unnecessary. I URGE you to follow the Vets advice and get the xray than there will be methods he and others can safely recommend.
It 'could' be asthma, it could also be something LODGED in his airway OR allergies to something in the household(candles, scents, cleaners etc)
Were blood tests ever done????

could also be Feline Upper Respiratory Tract Disease. or URI upper respiratory infection...than antibiotics are required. this can be fatal if left untreated....so its important that you do follow through with the tests and xrays to really help your kitty.....many Vets will do a payment plan wth you and try to accommodate you some way.
Helpful - 0
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