HELP chronic URI symptoms with no cure

[Umeandmomo]

Hi Sphynx fam,

We picked up our kittens, Ume and Momo in April, and within a week Momo the calico showed symptoms of a URI: puff breathing, loud congested breathing, excessive sneezing and snot. I took her to the emergency vet one night and they prescribed an antibiotic. It didn’t work. Then I took her to my vet who gave her another one, azithromycin, that has not worked. It’s been months so the chances of it being viral is low, but none of the antibiotics have worked either.
They put her under anesthesia, cleaned her sinuses and checked for polyps. No polyps. She doesn’t have FIV or anything like that either. My vet is stumped. I am stumped. Has anyone experienced this?
Maybe it’s fungal? I do have houseplants, maybe mold spores from soil is an issue? I saw one person say clogged ears caused sinus issues, maybe I should request an ear cleaning under sedation? I just want her to feel better, this is so stressful.

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Sorry to hear of this. Did your vet perform a PCR test? They would swab the nose. This text should narrow things down a bit. @Umeandmomo Also as far as antibiotics go, many have found Doxycycline does wonders as it covers a broader spectrum than many others.

Your babies are beautiful!

 

[Umeandmomo]

Thank you! And thank you for responding.
I mentioned Doxy but my vet said if these didn’t work the likelihood of others working was not good. Maybe I’ll ask for it anyway.
I was going to do a PCR test, I just didn’t know if it would be helpful if antibiotic failure and amount of time passing indicated bacterial and viral sources were unlikely. I can request one anyway.

 

[Yoda mom]

@Umeandmomo , welcoming you and your adorables Ume and Momo to the lair family. all paws are family.
sharing , doxy was a game changer for my boy and girl with a URI , after other antibiotics did not work.
agree with the PCR test , I personally would discuss the doxy before intrusive procedures to see if it clears things up.

we are here for you. be sure to kitty proof the plants , some plants are toxic to kitties.

keep us updated often. hugs n positive vibe head smooches.

ps : brainstorming, do you use scented or walnut litter? some have reactions too to worlds best. I changed to dr elsyes unscented and never an issueu again

do you use air freshners/ plug ins?

 

[Umeandmomo]

@Umeandmomo , welcoming you and your adorables Ume and Momo to the lair family. all paws are family.
sharing , doxy was a game changer for my boy and girl with a URI , after other antibiotics did not work.
agree with the PCR test , I personally would discuss the doxy before intrusive procedures to see if it clears things up.

we are here for you. be sure to kitty proof the plants , some plants are toxic to kitties.

keep us updated often. hugs n positive vibe head smooches.

ps : brainstorming, do you use scented or walnut litter? some have reactions too to worlds best. I changed to dr elsyes unscented and never an issueu again

do you use air freshners/ plug ins?

Thank you!

So, when my other kitten Ume started randomly sneezing I knew something environmental could be up and I discovered it pretty quickly after googling: I used eucalyptus diffusers often every day. Welp that was no good! I promptly stopped, turned on all the air purifiers and haven’t used it for two weeks. I hoped that would be the answer, as Ume immediately stopped sneezing. Unfortunately, Momo’s symptoms were much more complex and still continue to this day. Her sneezing is slightly less frequent, but mucus is still thick and colored and her breathing is still loud much of the time.

I use BoxiePro litter and a litter robot.

 

[Yoda mom]

@Umeandmomo , good catch on the essential oil diffuser. I learned too many essential oils can be toxic to pets.

so glad Ume is all good. lots of continued positive vibes for Momo. were you able to discuss doxy with your vet? it has worked well in sphynx where other antibiotics have not been as successful. let us know if you are doing the pcr test.

we are here for you. all paws are family. hugs n head smooches., following for updates

 

[Toa and Ross]

Welcome to sphynxlair. Your babies are gorgeous. Sorry about the health issue. Could it be an allergy issue, like hay fever?

 

[Umeandmomo]

Welcome to sphynxlair. Your babies are gorgeous. Sorry about the health issue. Could it be an allergy issue, like hay fever?

The vet said allergies was not likely do to the consistency and color of the mucus. It indicated more of an infection risk. I do wonder though if she is allergic to something in our home or has a fungal infection that is much harder to diagnose and lasts way longer than a virus (which would fit the symptoms she’s experiencing)

 

[Sharnsphynx]

Sorry to jump in on this, my 6 month old boy has been experiencing exactly the same symptoms and our vet is also baffled! Just wondered if you had any updates since? Thanks!

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Sorry to jump in on this, my 6 month old boy has been experiencing exactly the same symptoms and our vet is also baffled! Just wondered if you had any updates since? Thanks!

Has your vet done a PCR test to try to narrow down the issue?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Sharnsphynx]

Has your vet done a PCR test to try to narrow down the issue?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

A pcr was done originally but results inconclusive, he’d already had these symptoms for a month before we got him, apparently the longer it’s been the less accurate the results are he had some more tests last week, including cytology so should have news tomorrow!

 

[Catzzzmeow]

A pcr was done originally but results inconclusive, he’d already had these symptoms for a month before we got him, apparently the longer it’s been the less accurate the results are he had some more tests last week, including cytology so should have news tomorrow!

Please update us tomorrow.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Sharnsphynx]

Sorry for the late reply! So the tests confirmed he still has micoplasma, however as the antibiotics should have worked they now want to have him in for a ct scan to check for polyps! Just want my poor little man to get better

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Gosh….keeping positive vibes going. Let us know what the scan shows if you get a chance.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[kauna]

I am wondering if allergies are at play here also?

When Agnes was younger she had the worst URIs. The snot rockets (for lack of a better description) were awful. She was always sneezing, congested and the works. I tried the antibiotics, and they would help but it would never quite go away. We did a round of prednisolone and voila! Once we discontinued the steroids then it eventually came back. Come to find out she was allergic to almost everything environmental. The dermatologist was a game changer for us! He also specialized in Pet allergy serum injections, similar to people getting allergy shots. Once we figured out what she was allergic to and started the serum injections we were finally on the right path.

Hopefully, you will get some relief soon for your babies.

 

[Sharnsphynx]

Gosh….keeping positive vibes going. Let us know what the scan shows if you get a chance.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

So he was referred to a specialist vets about 2 hours away! scan was done today, luckily no tumours or polyps found! They’ve done a biopsy which we should get results for in about a week! They also did a nasal flush as he had a huge backlog of snot!
So he’s currently being treated with anti inflammatorys and antibiotics for two bacterial infections, mycoplasma, and they suspect feline herpes too, so he’s certainly been through it! Hopefully this could be the start of the light at the end of the tunnel, although I must admit I don’t want to get my hopes up!

 

[Catzzzmeow]

It’s great they are finally piecing together what is going on. I hope your baby finds relief…kudos to you for doing everything under the sun to help.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Natalie Murphy]

I’m so happy that gives me hope hope too I shall be speaking to my vet about this and hopefully I too one day will have a snot free little man. Thank you for the inspiration to try further testing


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Sharnsphynx]

It’s great they are finally piecing together what is going on. I hope your baby finds relief…kudos to you for doing everything under the sun to help.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

He was showing improvements for about a week but now currently back at square one! However we’re going to start him on a round of Prednisolone and some more doxycycline to treat the mycoplasma. The vets did say it’s most likely chronic and he will likely have it permanently so I’m no longer looking for a complete cure. but as long as it’s more manageable and comfortable for him then that’s enough for me! Will update soon!

 

[Sharnsphynx]

It’s great they are finally piecing together what is going on. I hope your baby finds relief…kudos to you for doing everything under the sun to help.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thank you! Unfortunately we’re still not out of the woods! The prednisone unfortunately didn’t work, so he’s starting another round of doxycycline (they wanted to try the steroids alone first) I’ve also started using a natural remedy called throat gold, which I’ve heard some people have had good results from!
If this doesn’t show any improvements, the specialist vet who’s been dealing with him has suggested trialing a drug called atopica as the next step! Will keep everyone updated!

 

[Sharnsphynx]

I’m so happy that gives me hope hope too I shall be speaking to my vet about this and hopefully I too one day will have a snot free little man. Thank you for the inspiration to try further testing


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you! I hope you get some answers you’re looking for! How long has your little man been under the weather for?

 

[Yoda mom]

@Sharnsphynx , thank you for keeping us updated. I personally am not familiar with throat gold. I know it took a couple of rounds of doxy for mine.
you can use the top right search box for atopica to see previous posts. hugs n positive vibe head smooches

 

[Sharnsphynx]

@Sharnsphynx , thank you for keeping us updated. I personally am not familiar with throat gold. I know it took a couple of rounds of doxy for mine.
you can use the top right search box for atopica to see previous posts. hugs n positive vibe head smooches

I’ll update if the throat hold helps at all! I’m hoping the doxy will help more this time, but it’s extremely frustrating as my vets always seems very reluctant to prescribe it! I’ve really had to fight them for it

 

[Halis412]

I’ll update if the throat hold helps at all! I’m hoping the doxy will help more this time, but it’s extremely frustrating as my vets always seems very reluctant to prescribe it! I’ve really had to fight them for it

hey there! just read your posts and Im having the same issues with my babies.. mine have developed chronic bronchitis which first started as URI/herpes virus (inherited from the mom cat), ive tried doxy previously but the snots just kept coming back.. few months ago my vet decided to just prescribe inhaler (steroids) plus nebulize with saline water at least twice a day..
adding on top of everything, recently they've started to have these wet coughs as well, i rushed them to the vet and she gave me a syrup (forgot the name sorry) that just stops the cough for a week and it keeps coming back..

i am so worried about my babies, the asthma attacks are already scaring me to death plus now the coughs... I feel so helpless as the vets here are not so helpful
Im desperate for a cure (

 

[Yoda mom]

@Halis412 , (((hugs))) n head smooches . please feel free to copy paste your reply and start a new thread for your babies so we can all chime in.
we do not want your questions lost in another members thread. we are here for you.

we have several members that can chime in about their experiences , tips, with asthma , nebulizers , etc.

ps.. love your avatar photo, precious.