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I've got a sick cat, any advice?

Discussion in 'Travel Forum' started by susanpet, Aug 3, 2002.

  1. susanpet

    susanpet New Member

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    I have three indoor cats. The oldest got the sniffles a few weeks ago and got over it fine. The other two came down with the same thing, only worse. Scooter, a 3 year old, started out sneezing, then started to have trouble breathing. I took him to the vet and she gave him an antibiotic shot and some more antibiotic to give at home. He had a fever of 105. He recovered pretty quickly. Now his brother, Tiger, has been sick for 7 days. I had to miss Sunday school last week to take him to an emergency vet that was 45 miles away. He was injected with antibiotic and given more for home. Two days later I had to take him to my vet to get another shot. He just doesn't seem to be getting better.
    His symtoms are sneezing, runny nose, listlessness, wheezing, some difficulty breathing. Both vets said it was a respiritory infection that cats get.
    Have any of you ever had to deal with this before with your cat?
    If he is no better Monday, I am taking him to another vet.
    A woman I go to church with said to give him Benydrel for his congestion. :confused: But I won't until I ask a vet.
    Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I love my cats dearly and I can't stand to see Tiger suffer. He's my "little boy" ;)
    I have already spent about $200 on them :eek:
    Oh well....

    Thanks
    Susan :cool:
     
  2. GrannyGumbo

    GrannyGumbo <img src ="/Granny.gif">

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    Hey susanpet! I was hoping an animal-doc on Board would answer...I'm sorry about your kittys. I have one old inside cat that my sister left me. She'd had her 'fixed'...but we can't afford all that[foot,I don't even get myself to the dr] so I just use household remedies when something's up.

    Last summer the dalmation(Liddie) got 'hotspots', & I made up a concoction of carbolated-vaseline, etc; it worked! The little taco-bell dog(Paco), gets home-grown treatments as well. They are both 'fixed';I also inherited them. :rolleyes: I have a little saying for the many outside cats: "Only the strong survive!" :D &lt;---I HATE that mouth; those teeth!

    I hope your daughter is doing better at nights. I pray things are better with you & hubby. I haven't seen Patrick in weeks since he goes to that new 'oneness/apostolic' church. They have made him cut-off all ties with any of his family. :(
     
  3. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    Hey!

    I have a cat that has sneezing problems right now. Let me tell you that if you give a cat Benadryl, they will have a reaction to it. It seems to irritate their sinuses, mouth, and nerves! It causes them to drool excessively and grossly for about 5 minutes. The first time I did that I thought I had killed my cat. It was such a small amount, too.

    I've only done it one other time. It helped with the sneezing and sinus problems, but I doubt I'll ever do it again.

    I understand about cats being your children. I have four!

    Peace-

    YSIC
    Scarlett O.
    &lt;&gt;&lt;
     
  4. Farmer's Wife

    Farmer's Wife New Member

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    Susanpet, my cat had the same thing a few years ago. He even lost his voice! :( I spent coo-boobs of $$$ at the vet's office and then I had a time trying to give that cat his pills!!! :rolleyes: Finally, I wound up crushing them and putting them in his canned catfood! ;) Anyway, the vet told me that it was allergies and next time, at the onset, to give him a very small dosage of Children's Benadryl . Fortunately, there hasn't been a 'next time'! [​IMG] I hope your cat gets to feeling better soon!
     
  5. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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  6. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    Americans spend 6,000,000,000 on pets a year and how much on missions? Our cats eat better each day than 70% of the children in this world.

    What is wrong with that picture?

    Don't expect me to get teary-eyed over Fluffy .. unless I get too close. Even being in a room with a cat causes my eyes to puff shut within minutes.

    Now, nothing personal. I have, at various times, enjoyed and loved pets. I hope you find a solution to the problem. But also keep in mind the larger issues! [​IMG]
     
  7. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    Dr. Bob-

    I believe that this forum is partially entitled "Hobby". Raising pets and taking care of them constitutes a pasttime or hobby. I don't think that anyone is forgetting larger issues, but I was under the impression that this forum and the "All Other Discussions" forum, and forums like the "Clean Humor" were forums where the minor issues could find a home.

    I don't think that discussing a pet health problem in a forum like this constitutes a lack of concern for the work of God in other arenas.

    I attended church today. I taught Sunday School, attended 2 worship services, ladies trio practice, discipleship training, and a deacon ordination service.

    I tithed last week and last month contributed to the bus fund. I give to every missions program that my church supports. Everytime.

    I also worked today with some ladies on plans for the Lottie Moon program, even though it is in December.

    I am a staunch supporter of missionaries and we have several that are from my church and now across the world and we help fund them all. We pay the tuition for a handful of men in seminary.

    I am far from perfect, and will never even come close, and God forbid that I come across as boastful or vain, but brother, I think I have a grasp on the larger issues.

    And you know something else? I'm going to tend to my cats, too. Feed them. And see to them when they are sick.

    And if someone wants to talk about what to do for a sick pet, then I think the Baptist Board has provided a few forums for the minor issues where sick pets can be addressed.

    I promise you, we weren't placing sick cats above the work of the Lord.

    Peace-

    YSIC
    Scarlett O.
    &lt;&gt;&lt;
     
  8. wishtolearn

    wishtolearn New Member

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    Right now, this is the larger issue for this person. I hope you're not trying to make her feel guilty for wanting to care for her pet. They are like children to those of us who have them and if something is wrong with them, we don't stand idley by and wonder where we could best be spending our money. We take care of them because they depend on us.

    I have had cats for years. Since this is an upper respiratory infection, they have all infected each other the same way one person in a household gets a cold, then the rest of us do. Just make sure that the nasal passages are kept clear and that he/she doesn't get dehydrated. I would suggest taking him to another vet for a stronger dose of antibiotics. One I've used with great results is Zithromyacin. Do not use Benadryl, I would not feel comfortable giving an animal a human drug unless it was recommended by a vet. Good luck.
     
  9. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    1) Sounds like a good reason to buy stock in PetsMart perhaps?

    2) Nothing. Some of us got married too late in life to have children so we have pets instead. In our case, 6 dogs, one of which has earned an AKC obedience title, and, the Lord willing, more titles still to come for our dogs.

    Anyway, just think of all the money that parents spend on children for designer clothes, the latest gadgets, to play sports, etc., etc., etc., that are not related to the larger issues of life. And pets are much less expensive than children(and they don't sass you, either [​IMG] ).

    I think God wants us to enjoy His creation, including pets. :D

    Ken
     
  10. LindaB

    LindaB New Member

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    CLAP CLAP to all those who defended the love of pets against that dr. guy. If you dont like pets, then stay out of the discussion.

    anyhow, benadryl is a definite NO. it is an anthistimine and even an over the counter dosage is way to high for a small animal
    any new furniture, carpets, cleaning fluids, new laundry detergent? New soaps, shampoo? If they are outdoor cats, are they throwing up after being outside, have they had the leukemia vaccine and booster.

    just some thoughts from someone who spent toooo many years in medicine for humans [​IMG]

    LB
    hey Dr. Bob, instead of taking the time to look up stats on how much we spend on pets, maybe simply pray for the guy who cares about the animals he is entrusted with.
     
  11. LadyEagle

    LadyEagle <b>Moderator</b> <img src =/israel.gif>

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    And speaking of loving animals, anybody ever watch Crocodile Hunter? (Isn't he just cute with that little Australian drawl?) And he loves the unlovely animals, too, like snakes & crocs.

    But back to the feline sneezes. My Bear cat got down sick a few weeks back, wouldn't eat, eyes draining clear fluid, sneezing sometimes 14 times in a row, feeling lousy, fever.

    I took him to the vet & they said it was allergies. Takes 7-14 days to get over. (I was worried it was some feline leukemia or other deadly virus!!!!) Gave me a bottle of something they mixed up there with antihistamine, antibiotic stuff which Bearie just hated but I dispensed it with a dropper and it did alleviate his symptoms. He went through 2 bottles. I even ran the child's vaporizer on him to help him breathe better, but he finally got over it. He's chocolate Siamese and now has little speckles on his handsome face, but I looked that up on the Internet & read sometimes Siamese get those speckles if they've had a high fever.

    Anyway, he's much better now. Occasional sneeze if I have the door open. His sister never got sick; they drink out of the same bowl and pick at each other's food, so it really must have been allergies.

    Whew!!! They are 15 years old. When that time comes...need I say more? :(

    Hope your kitty gets well soon. [​IMG]
     
  12. susanpet

    susanpet New Member

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    Hey, thanks guys! Tiger is better now. For a while he wouldn't eat and that's what worried me so much. Guess he couldn't smell his food [​IMG]

    Dr. Bob, I really don't understand. Isn't this thread for hobbies? I don't consider my cats a "hobby", Cause I love them too much. I can't help it that the good Lord made me this way. I have always loved animals. And if I can help one in need I will. I have often carried around bags of cat food in my car to feed strays that people set off at dumpsters.
    And I haven't forgotten people in need either. I give at church to our food pantry. I have always given things of mine to anyone that needs it. I thank God that he has blessed me and if I see someone needing help, I try my best to offer it.

    This may sound silly to "some", but last Sunday at church I prayed that God would make Tiger better. He hadn't eaten anything in a few days. When I got home, immediately Tiger came up to me and rubbed my legs and meowed. I fed him and he ate like he was starved to death! I believe God heard my prayer. I'm sure I will get negative feedback on this. Oh well............

    Hey granny, Stephanie is sleeping better now. Things are the same between my husband and me. It's ok as long as I keep quite when he trys to argue religion.
    I am sorry to here about your son not being able to see you. How sad. I am still praying for you, my dear sis.

    Love you all
    In Christ
    Susan

    P.S. I am glad there are a lot of animal lovers here. I always said you could tell alot about someone by the way they felt about animals. ;)
     
  13. Multimom

    Multimom New Member

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    God's word tells us that

    "A righteous man cares for the life of his beast."

    I don't have any tips except that it would probably be better if you used the same vet for every trip if possible because they keep records on your kitty just like your doctor does on you and hopping from Vet to Vet prevents each vet the benefit of those records.

    [ August 07, 2002, 09:10 PM: Message edited by: Multimom ]
     
  14. brisco

    brisco New Member

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    Susanpet, just read through this string. Glad to hear Tiger is doing better. There are a lot of christians who adore their pets - animals generally. I'm one. They are therapy for us, aren't they? ;)

    We have dogs, cats and horses.

    Elaine W
     
  15. Rev. Joshua

    Rev. Joshua <img src=/cjv.jpg>

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    I'm really glad that Tiger is doing better and I'm sorry that I didn't get a chance to get my wife to put in her $ .02. Unfortunately, because of malpractice/liability issues she probably would have told you to bring the cat back in for diagnostics.

    Every member of a family - regardless of fur quantity, number of legs, or silly nicknames like "Grif" - deserves the best quality medical care we can afford, and all the love we know how to give.

    Joshua
     
  16. sfcgijill

    sfcgijill New Member

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    Dr. Bob,

    Those without sin cast the first stone... I must assume you have spent every available cent and every waking moment in missions. No luxuries for you, just the bare necessities, right? And before you go there, yes, I do tithe and give extra time and money for missions. I am not a perfect steward of all the gifts God has given me, but I pray every day that I will improve and one day even get there.

    Susanpet,

    I am glad to hear your Tiger is all better. I know how distressing it is to feel like you can't do enough to help the animals we care for. Pets (as well as so many other things in our lives) are God's gifts to us and we should treat them as such. He knew that besides Jesus, no human could love us unconditionally. (Personally, I think only an animal, who does not know greed, lust, shame, etc could ever come close to loving us like that.)

    PS The way we treat animals is a good indicator of how we treat humans.
     
  17. DocCas

    DocCas New Member

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    Time for me to jump in here, if, for no other reason, to irritate Dr. Bob. :D

    My wife and I have had many pets over the years. Dogs and cats to numerous to mention. We presently have a house dog, King, and a house cat, Maggie. But we also have a yard dog (not really ours, but keeping her for a Missionary couple who are on deputation) and two outside cats, both of whom were strays we befriended.

    Along with feeding and otherwise caring for these animals, my wife and I have both been in full time ministry (that means without other source of income) here at this church of over 17 years and at other churches clear back to the early 70s. And, even though we have spent so much on our pets we have still managed to give well over a tithe to our local church, plus give an equal amount to missions every month. Our total giving comes to over 30%. So, it seems to me, we have done right by both pictures, the small picture being the need to care for that small part of God's creation He has sent our way, and the bigger picture of making sure our 22 missionaries are properly supported.

    And, of course, while doing all of the above I have pastored, taught at a bible college, still teach at a seminary, and manage to make at least 3 or 4 missions trips every year to the foreign field to help the missionaries in their labors.

    You know, but the grace of God I think you can do both quite will.

    Keep taking care of those pets! After all, they are part of God's creation too! :D :D :D
     
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