Okay, so I'm having some issues with new kitty (Bogart, a.k.a. BP). He had this nasal issue from day one which the shelter tried to shrug off as something that was normal...like he would always have a chronic runny nose/sneezing and it was no big deal. I had my vet check him out as soon as I brought him home, his chest is clear and they ran a senior panel (the shelter vet said he was around 5 years old but my vet believes he is closer to ten) and thankfully, everything came back normal.
The first few days he sneezed a few times and every two days or so there would be a small amount of thick, brown/bloody tinged discharge, after which he would seem to be good for about two days. And over the last week or so he improved considerably. But since yesterday he is becoming increasingly congested and there is more thick, brown/bloody tinged discharge again. I will be calling the vet when they open...it's 3 a.m. now. The vet did say we would try another course of anitbiotic if the congestion got worse (apparently he was on two different antibiotics at the shelter).
So has anyone who has cats ever come across this type of situation? Is this something that can really be chronic and not something to worry about? Anything that can be done to relieve his congestion until I can get him on meds? I did some google searching and it seems that cats can be prescribed antibiotics and decongestants and that a humidifier helps too. Supposedly you can also put saline drops used for infants in their nose. I don't want to do any of this on my own. Obviously I will see what the vet says but I was wondering if anyone out there has had any experience with something similar.
I can't really tell if he's sick or not. He has kind of a funny personality to start with. He's affectionate to a point...only on his terms and not a cuddler. He can be a 'hisser' but he has never swatted or tried to bite. He's definitely feeling cranky. He's still eating...seems uncomfortable with the breathing but can still breath with his mouth closed, but now I can hear the rattling in his nose where that wasn't the case previously. He wouldn't lie down and go to sleep. But I finally got him to settle down on a pillow on my lap. Guess I'll be here for a while so he can get an hour or two of rest.
Oh yeah, there was also some talk about the possiblity of polyps, tumor, nasal cavity damage from previous infections, all of which need a ct scan/rhinoscopy ($3000) in order to diagnose. I've had this cat for only two weeks and I did not get a response from the shelter when I asked if they were going to help me with the cost or if they expected me to return him to them if I couldn't provide diagnostics/treatment. I really do not want to give him up...he's incredibly awesome, I've been attached from day one, but at the same time I do not have $3000.
Let me know if anyone has any thoughts/suggestions regarding his condition...the more knowledge/ammo I have to bring with me to the vet, the better. Thanks!
The first few days he sneezed a few times and every two days or so there would be a small amount of thick, brown/bloody tinged discharge, after which he would seem to be good for about two days. And over the last week or so he improved considerably. But since yesterday he is becoming increasingly congested and there is more thick, brown/bloody tinged discharge again. I will be calling the vet when they open...it's 3 a.m. now. The vet did say we would try another course of anitbiotic if the congestion got worse (apparently he was on two different antibiotics at the shelter).
So has anyone who has cats ever come across this type of situation? Is this something that can really be chronic and not something to worry about? Anything that can be done to relieve his congestion until I can get him on meds? I did some google searching and it seems that cats can be prescribed antibiotics and decongestants and that a humidifier helps too. Supposedly you can also put saline drops used for infants in their nose. I don't want to do any of this on my own. Obviously I will see what the vet says but I was wondering if anyone out there has had any experience with something similar.
I can't really tell if he's sick or not. He has kind of a funny personality to start with. He's affectionate to a point...only on his terms and not a cuddler. He can be a 'hisser' but he has never swatted or tried to bite. He's definitely feeling cranky. He's still eating...seems uncomfortable with the breathing but can still breath with his mouth closed, but now I can hear the rattling in his nose where that wasn't the case previously. He wouldn't lie down and go to sleep. But I finally got him to settle down on a pillow on my lap. Guess I'll be here for a while so he can get an hour or two of rest.
Oh yeah, there was also some talk about the possiblity of polyps, tumor, nasal cavity damage from previous infections, all of which need a ct scan/rhinoscopy ($3000) in order to diagnose. I've had this cat for only two weeks and I did not get a response from the shelter when I asked if they were going to help me with the cost or if they expected me to return him to them if I couldn't provide diagnostics/treatment. I really do not want to give him up...he's incredibly awesome, I've been attached from day one, but at the same time I do not have $3000.
Let me know if anyone has any thoughts/suggestions regarding his condition...the more knowledge/ammo I have to bring with me to the vet, the better. Thanks!