Mazy at the vet (question about prednisone shots)

[GailS]

While I was there I asked the tech to clip her claws as she was due for that, anyway. She was very growly and lashing out at the tech, it was Mazy's favorite tech, and she looked so hurt when Mazy tried to scratch and bite her! I think it was the room. usually Mazy gets her claws clipped in the back grooming area, not on the dreaded metal table. Anyway the tech had to call for reinforcements, and the one tech held her by the scruff while the other trimmed and Mazy growled and hissed but couldn't do anything about it.

We had a long wait between the tech and vet, and Mazy recovered her dignity and explored the little room. When the vet came in she was "meek" at first but the more he messed with her the more growly she got.

She got a shot of prednisone and a 2 week course of antibiotics. Vet said it might be a mold allergy but no way to really know except expensive testing, like repeat x-rays and stuff. (I always wish I had someone else with me when I go to the vet because I never remember to ask the questions I want to ask, until later.) No fever, but she's had these infections before with no fever either, and they always clear up on antibiotics. So we decided to put her on the antibiotic for two full weeks this time and see if we can knock it out. I was just about to ask, if the shot was going to work (for allergies), how soon should I see improvement, when there was some kind of emergency in the back and he was called away. However she's still sneezing so I don't think it's allergies, I think the shot would have started working already. He is familiar with Mazy's temperament and asked me if she was difficult to medicate, and I told him as long as it was clavamox it would be fine becausse she likes them

Once he was done examining her I watched him petting her. I could see he liked her, but I could also see her ears flatten (she was facing him) and I knew the exact expression that would be on her face. He kind of giggled and tapped her forehead lightly (it looked like an affectionate tap to me). I said Are you teasing her? And he said well she looks so pissy I couldn't resist. I was about to ask about the effects of the shot when he was called away on emergency.

Anyone else know, if the prenisone was going to work, would it work right away? She's still sneezing. I'm so glad she thinks the clavamox is a treat.

Gail

[DrGus]

I can't give you a specific answer since I don't know the particulars, but in general allergic conditions respond to steroids within 48-72 hours. This can vary dramatically, however, depending on the condition, the cat, the drug, and the dose.

[GailS]

Originally Posted by DrGus

I can't give you a specific answer since I don't know the particulars, but in general allergic conditions respond to steroids within 48-72 hours. This can vary dramatically, however, depending on the condition, the cat, the drug, and the dose.

Thank you Dr Gus. I was told it was a "long acting" shot, but that is all the information I gathered, except I did remember to ask what side affects I should watch for and was told none.

Now I wish I'd waited on the antibiotic because that is about the time frame for the anibiotics to start kicking in, too isn't it? So I still won't know if it is allergy or bacterial.

By the way, how would x rays help diagnose an allergy problem? I wanted to ask about that too, but the vet was called away on an emergency.

Gail

[DianeP]

Originally Posted by GailS

Thank you Dr Gus. I was told it was a "long acting" shot, but that is all the information I gathered, except I did remember to ask what side affects I should watch for and was told none.

Now I wish I'd waited on the antibiotic because that is about the time frame for the anibiotics to start kicking in, too isn't it? So I still won't know if it is allergy or bacterial.

By the way, how would x rays help diagnose an allergy problem? I wanted to ask about that too, but the vet was called away on an emergency.

Gail

Mazy may be a little thirstier and hungrier than usual because of the prednisone shot, so be sure to have plenty of water out for her.

[GailS]

Originally Posted by DianeP

Mazy may be a little thirstier and hungrier than usual because of the prednisone shot, so be sure to have plenty of water out for her.

Thanks for the reminder, I had forgotten that. She'll be peeing more, too, I remember.

The thing is, she only likes to drink out of the bottom of the bathroom sink, with the water running on her head, and down into the sink. I can't get her to try any other way to drink, and I can't help thinking that that cold water running on her neck and head is causing her to get chills which is causing these sneezing things. the vet dismissed it, but they don't know everything...what do you think?

And it's too bad they don't take the time to tell you the extra things like yogurt (or the pro bios I use) to counteract the digestive upset when an animal is on antibiotics, or about the drinking and eating with the prednisone...the vet I usually see at this practice is a little better about that stuff, but she wasn't available this time, so I took who I could get.

Mazy is still sneezing. this afternoon will be 48 hours since the shot, and two full days on the antibiotic. She sneezed full in my face last night while I was sleeping. Yuck.

Gail

[kimj]

Gail, try turning the faucet to slightly warm to alleviate the cold water possibility. While many doctors still poo-poo this, they have found that exposure to cold can lower resistance & cause people to get sick from viruses, etc. they might otherwise be able to fight off. In Mazy's case, I sort of doubt that's what's happening, but turning the water to warmish may help alleviate the possibility.

[GailS]

Originally Posted by kimj

Gail, try turning the faucet to slightly warm to alleviate the cold water possibility. While many doctors still poo-poo this, they have found that exposure to cold can lower resistance & cause people to get sick from viruses, etc. they might otherwise be able to fight off. In Mazy's case, I sort of doubt that's what's happening, but turning the water to warmish may help alleviate the possibility.

now why didn't I think of that? Thanks Kim!

Gail

[MarciD]

Originally Posted by GailS

now why didn't I think of that? Thanks Kim!

Gail

When my Bubba was very young he was very, very ill with a respiratory infection and since then since sneezes a lot and has a goopy nose every now and then. My vet says he's fine but is a chronic carrier and will probably always have periodic bouts of what seems to be an upper respiratory infection. He never runs a temp and seems to feel fine except for the sneezing and the goopy nose. We've never put him back on the antibiotics and he's been doing fine. He will be 8 yrs old later this spring and has had these off again on again respiratory symptoms since he was a small kitten. When I rescued him and his sister both were very sick. His sister cleared up right away but we ended up having to keep Bubba on antibiotics for almost 2 months. Every time we'd take him off the antibiotics he'd get sick all over again.

[GailS]

Originally Posted by MarciD

When my Bubba was very young he was very, very ill with a respiratory infection and since then since sneezes a lot and has a goopy nose every now and then. My vet says he's fine but is a chronic carrier and will probably always have periodic bouts of what seems to be an upper respiratory infection. He never runs a temp and seems to feel fine except for the sneezing and the goopy nose. We've never put him back on the antibiotics and he's been doing fine. He will be 8 yrs old later this spring and has had these off again on again respiratory symptoms since he was a small kitten.

hmmm,well that puts my mind at ease a little. It does sound like Mazy. She's only 19 months, but this is her third bout with respiratory since I've had her (for just over a year now), and she came from the shelter with the first one. She never has a fever either. No goop frm her nose thank goodness, though she does "spray" when she sneezes, as I found out early this morning. I was having a bad dream and rolled over and she sneezed in my face. yuck.

But if we have to learn to live with sneezes, I guess the other cats and I will get used to it. I just worry that Tolly will catch something, he's my fragile one. I may be projecting but it seems to me that Mazy is bothered by the sneezing, too.

Though I was grateful to be woken up as it was an awful nightmare, about my childhood dog, Cinder. very strange, I don't believe I have ever dreamed aobut Cinder before. She was a nice dog. Never barked but once in her whole life.

Gail

[MarciD]

Originally Posted by GailS

hmmm,well that puts my mind at ease a little. It does sound like Mazy. She's only 19 months, but this is her third bout with respiratory since I've had her (for just over a year now), and she came from the shelter with the first one. She never has a fever either. No goop frm her nose thank goodness, though she does "spray" when she sneezes, as I found out early this morning. I was having a bad dream and rolled over and she sneezed in my face. yuck.

But if we have to learn to live with sneezes, I guess the other cats and I will get used to it. I just worry that Tolly will catch something, he's my fragile one. I may be projecting but it seems to me that Mazy is bothered by the sneezing, too.

Though I was grateful to be woken up as it was an awful nightmare, about my childhood dog, Cinder. very strange, I don't believe I have ever dreamed aobut Cinder before. She was a nice dog. Never barked but once in her whole life.

Gail

You might want to talk to your vet about whether this could be a chronic thing for Mazy. It really sounds a lot like Bubba's situation. None of my other cats have been affected by Bubba's chronic situation but never the less I do tend to watch everyone like a hawk when Bubba starts having symptoms. My vet has opted for not medicating Bubba since he doesn't run a temp and it seems to only occur occasionally. It's something that Bubba will be living with for the rest of his life it seems. Never seems to bother him though so haven't gotten too uptight over it. When he starts showing symptoms (sneezing and running or goopy nose) I just watch to make sure he isn't acting under the weather also ... if that was the case I'd have him into the vet's office in a heartbeat. But given that he's almost 8 yrs old and this has been going on since he was a small kitten I expect that it's just going to be a part of living with him.