I admit it. I'm seeking veterinary advice.

[Critters2]

My cat Shamu was at the animal hospital for a couple of days this past week for what turned out to be a UTI (apparently my household is in the throes of an epidemic!). He was peeing outside the litterbox, not grooming, just generally not feeling well. The vet put him on the antibiotic zeniquin, which he's been surprisingly good about taking.

Last night, he began sneezing and coughing something awful, and it's continuing today. Nose and eye discharge, too. I'll call the vet tomorrow, but wondered if this might be serious enough that I should call today (and, yes, incur an emergency charge). I'm also wondering if zeniquin is likely to help with this, or whether he may need another antibiotic.

And curious to see whether the rule is strictly for medical advice, or whether this deserves an

IBTL!

TIA!

[davsand]

1. Lisa, I think I'd call the vet today.

If the kitty is manifesting symptoms this quickly, I'd be wanting to get it checked out.

It would be awful to find out later that the antibiotic he's on already doesn't touch upper resp--and that is what this sounds like to me.


:hug: to you and your kitty both!


Laura

[Critters2]

9. Yeah, that's what concerns me. The med he's on doesn't seem to be affecting this at all,

and I do think it's a URI--and that he caught it at the vet. I think I will go ahead and call.


Thanks, Laura!

[Kali]

2. might have caught something AT the vets'

charge for a phone call? I'd probably wait till manana unless symptoms seem real bad (of course I am an animal abuser so maybe you ought to just take it in to the emergency clinic)

[sammythecat]

3. davsand gave you good advice.

Maybe they do, but there's a good chance you won't be charged for a simple phone call to ask about a possible adverse reaction to medication the vet just prescribed. I feel they owe you that courtesy and if the vet would charge for that, or discourage people from making such calls, I'd find another vet that was more ethical.

I'd make the call to be sure if you should continue giving this to Shamu. It might be an allergic reaction and that can be dangerous.

[Critters2]

10. I agree. I've called the vet. Got the service. Waiting for a call back. nt

[Gormy Cuss]

4. PM kestrel91316

IIRC she's a vet specializing in cats. She may be willing to at least help you make the decision whether to call for emergency care.

[Rhiannon12866]

6. That's an excellent idea!

My instinct usually doesn't let me wait in cases like this, though I sure know that Animal Emergency Clinics can be expensive. But I always worry too much to wait. Another solution would be to call the Emergency Clinic and ask them if they think that the kitty should be seen right away. I've done that and they've told me what to look for...

[Critters2]

7. There's not an emergency clinic here. It would be an "after hours" call/visit with the regular vet.

[Rhiannon12866]

13. I'd suggest calling the vet and asking whether he/she thinks that the cat should be seen

immediately, or could give you an opinion over the phone about what's going on. I've done that, too. That should ease your mind and your kitty won't have to wait if it's at all serious. Let us know what happens. I've been there and I know how you feel...

Rhiannon:hug:

[SPKrazy]

5. Kennel cough?

I don't know if cats get that but sounds like a virus or allergy more than something bacterial.

I had a cat who wouldn't go in the litter box suddenly and it turned out they had changed an ingredient in the litter to make it new and improved boo, actually it ended up well for both of us, clay litter was what he preferred and it was a heck of a lot cheaper than whatever it was that was improved.

sorry your kitty is sick

:hug:

[Critters2]

8. It seems like a URI to me. This, on top of a UTI is what concerns me,

and that he's on an antibiotic and he still got sick--or sicker. I'm guessing he needs another antibiotic. So, I'm not sure whether another 24 hours is too long to wait.


Btw, he's already gone back to using the litterbox, so I think that was caused by the UTI. Yay!

[SPKrazy]

11. dunno

I'm not seeking veterinary medical advice which must be okay :P

I'm just some idiot in the lounge giving it to you :D

[Critters2]

12. Heard from the vet. He's calling a Rx for amoxicillin into Walgreen's.

Hmm. I never thought about getting critter meds at Walgreen's. The vet said this way he won't need to come to the clinic--which would incur a charge (and interrupt his Sunday afternoon, was the sense I got, which is reasonable), and I can pick it up at my convenience (NOW!). He said he'll call in a liquid form that'll be easy to give since we're already dealing with one pill.

Thanks, DU, for the advice and encouragement. I'll keep you posted!

[Rhiannon12866]

14. Great news! Best of luck with this and hope that your kitty feels better soon.

I once had to pick up meds at the regular pharmacy for my dog, had a prescription from my vet, and I wished that she was on my prescription plan...:-)

The liquid is good, since pilling a cat isn't the easiest thing I've ever done... Please let us know how he's doing!:hi:

Rhiannon:pals:

[sammythecat]

15. Great. I hope this works for Shamu (and you!). n/t

[flvegan]

16. Since you have what sounds to be a cool vet

Maybe he would give you a double round so that you'd have a round on hand in case one of the other kitties starts with these symptoms.

We keep a ton of extra meds here just for that reason.