Monday, April 11, 2016

need to breathe

It's hard to know if Marvin's asthma is actually getting worse or if it's just worse because he refuses to take his meds. He has chronic dental pain which means he refuses to have his mouth touched. Unfortunately, we're not able to do any more treatment for his dental issues due to his failing kidneys, but even if we were somehow able to magically take away his dental pain, he's had the chronic pain for years, so he's never going to be at ease having his mouth touched. Pilling or squirting liquids into his mouth is not an option.


I got his steroid compounded into a liquid and it's flavored with fish (also tried chicken). I've mixed it into his wet food but more and more he's refusing to eat his wet food. I even tried withholding the dry food to force him to eat the wet - but he responded with a hunger strike and refused to eat at all. He also refuses to eat any of his favorite junk foods (cheese, bacon, etc.) when they're laced with meds. Sigh.
Humans: 0
Marvin: 1

I broke down and spent the big bucks and got inhalers and the AeroKat chamber.


I've read a bunch about how to acclimate a cat to using the AeroKat and tried the slow acclimation process. I even put his favorite foods in the mask (bacon) so he could fish it out. In the end it was a colossal (and expensive) fail! I could maybe get him to take one panicked breath, the idea of holding it on to his face for ten breaths is just plain crazy.

Humans: 0
Marvin: 2


My cat sitter extraordinaire, Annie, has been a licensed veterinary technician forever. She has a real heart for cats and is quite amazing with them. After I asked her for advice, she offered to stop in and show me how to work the AeroKat with Marvin. I was excited at the idea of a professional showing me how to hold him so this could work. Well, Annie left very humbled.

Humans: 0
Marvin: 3

Part of the challenge is that Marvin is really, really small. When I first rescued him he was only about 5 pounds, now he's at his ideal weight, maybe even a little over at 7 pounds. There's nothing to the guy, he doesn't have a scruff to grab - really he doesn't have anything to grab except skin and bones. I don't want to squeeze his bones or innards too tight for fear something might break. Whatever I do, he fights and wiggles his way free, even with two grown adults trying to hold him. Annie even tried wrapping him in a kitty burrito, but it still didn't matter, Marvin wasn't having any of it.

Annie suggested trying a grooming bag, the idea is the cat is tightly secured in the bag and the paws are all neatly tucked inside. So, it's like a kitty burrito. I figured it was worth trying.


 

I bought the small from Amazon, but compared to Marvin's petite size, this bag is HUGE. Two Marvins could fit in this thing. Even so, I tried to get him in the bag but again he wasn't having it. Even with two of us trying to stuff him in - no go, which is weird, cuz he gets right into his travel bag with not even a hint of struggle.

Humans: 0
Marvin: 4

Meanwhile, Marvin has more and more asthma attacks and it's really getting me stressed. The poor guy can't breathe, I've got the meds that can help him but I'm not able to administer them. I've stopped taking him to work with me because of his frequent wheezing, it's quite distressing seeing a cat not able to breathe.

I'm really not sure what else to do. The idea of just watching him struggle for breath doesn't sound appealing. If anyone has any suggestions, I would love to hear them.

I'm thinking about bringing him next door to the vet's office everyday and paying for the technicians to strong arm him into taking his meds - that is of course assuming they are able to gang up on him and make it happen. The vet has his file flagged that he's an aggressive cat. I'm afraid by doing that he'll begin to hate getting into his travel bag and will start fighting me on that, but I guess that's better than dying from lack of air.


I suppose, I should start considering the "quality of life" question. I'm soooo not ready for that, but  when will I ever be ready. Sigh.

14 comments:

  1. I'm sorry to hear that. You will not be ready for the final decision until you do everything possible to get him cured. I know what you say. On the other hand, I can't understand why they refuse meds if it is obvious that they feel better after them ...

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  2. I don't know how long you practiced with Marvin first, but it took 5 weeks with Nicki before I started giving the meds. It was put the mask on his face for a second and take it off, give treats, twice a day, then try to extend that. Very difficult process, lots of tears on my part, much desire to give up. Marvin might never adjust to it, but it's not something than can be done in days or even a week or two, unless you have a really laid back cat. Hugs from me and purrs to you both from the boys.

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  3. Poor Marvin, yes, anytime the pollen counts are up the asthma is lots worse. As for the AeroKat, you need to get behind him, get down on your knees quickly, he should back into your knees and has nowhere else to go.

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  4. I am more empathetic than I can even express here. I had to go through a terrible time for me and for my girl Lady Bianca aka Admiral as well. She hated her vital-to-her medication..I was in tears each day and broken hearted that I could't make it better. But don't give up too soon. I have no viable suggestions but you will likely hear from me.

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  5. Please don't let this get you down! Marvin needs your love, which I know you have in spades. Wish I had some practical advice...don't...but I know you'll find a solution for Marvin.

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  6. our rescue has to nebulize cats and they will put them in a carrier, set everything up and cover it really well with towels or a blanket to keep everything inside. might be worth asking the vet if you can try it that way.

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  7. (to expand on Random Feline's comment)or get a plastic tote? a couple of years ago I saw a nebulizer set up for a kitten that involved a plastic bag. It was horrific to look at - no one wants to see a kitten in a sealed plastic bag - but it was very effective at getting the medication into the cat. Putting Marvin in a clear tote not much bigger than he is that has a cut out for the nebulizer hose might just get you what you need. http://www.delmartian.com/null_pointers/2013/10/howto-build-a-nebulizer-chamber-for-your-asthmatic-pet/

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  8. Oh we are purring so hard for you and Marvin. Poor boy.

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  9. Having lung disease myself and two cats with allergies, I know what helped a lot. Attack the cause of the breathing problem. Pretend you work for NASA and make a room a "clean" room. Sweep, dust, polish everything including light bulbs! Wash or clean the window drapes or coverings. Move ALL furniture and clean underneath. Polish or dust everything not moving. Get a new or used room air filter to suck all the particles out of the air. The filters do not have to be run all the time. I have 4 used Honeywell filters I got from the Goodwill over the years. I just vacuum the old filters--they work well enough that way. You don't have to do the megaclean everyday. Put a sheet over bedcoverings to catch the dust, so you don't have to wash the blankets all the time--just swap the sheet. Keep the window shut when sunny and pollen is about. Marvin's nose is a few inches from the floor so the floor must be cleaned frequently. See if he improves. I do my whole HOUSE and I personally take a fraction of the medicine I used to. My cats don't sneeze anymore, unless I get lazy and let things go too long, and then it is megaclean all over again. If it works you can do your whole house. It will benefit everyone.

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  10. dood....we R troo lee sorree yur havin such a time of it; N we troo lee wish we had sum advize; sad lee we dont....we can offer St Francis' blessings two ewe N de hopes ewe will werk with yur dad; inn sted oh tryin ta fite him....♥♥♥

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  11. Poor Marvin and poor you. It is so hard when the just don't want to take their meds. Hugs and Blessings as you try to figure out what to do and a sweet hug to Marvin also.

    Linda

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  12. Two things come to mind in terms of treating Marvin's asthma: 1) what about having Marvin's oral meds made into a transdermal gel which is applied to the inside of his ear? I know that there are pet med compounding pharmacies that do this with some med, but not sure if every medicine can be incorporated into a gel. Second thought: what about a nebulizer or what's called a small animal incubator which can be used for nebulizing?? I heard about this on a cat site I've followed on YouTube for a long time. Here's a link to the video: https://youtu.be/YP1-YtFuZ0g She does mention that one could probably be created from a carrier or plastic bin. Hope something helps...I'm praying for a positive outcome.

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  13. Poor Marvin & Poor you.
    Try to get your boy gets better it's broken heart process but please be strong.
    Our thought with you.
    sending many purrs to you both

    Puddy & Mom

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  14. I am sorry you are going through this with Marvin. I wish I had a suggestion, but all I can do is pray.

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