Cat can’t breathe

[Shaundele LeatherberryStudent]

hi,

I wonder if I can get some help. I have a cat who appears to have his nose stuffed up so bad he can’t breathe correctly. He makes an awful wheezing sound most of the time. I did take him to a vet who ruled out many diseases and polyps but doesn’t know what it is. They have given him antibiotics and prednisone which don’t seem to be making any difference. I have gotten him in a room with a humidifier which seemed to help some but he is not recovering. At times he breathes better and is very hungry but when he has a bad day or days, he is listless and doesn’t eat. His gums are still pink but he works so hard at breathing through his nose his body is all knotted up. He does mouth breathe sometimes.

In looking at the modules for respiratory issues, there seems to be a lot of treatments for runny noses, too much phlegm etc but not for dried, blocked noses.  Any ideas? thanks in advance

[Michelle KochStudent]

Hi, I’m not a vet, and I know you really need/want to hear from the doctor, but I wonder…. since your vet ruled out polyps and other obstructions, and you say it’s a DRY stuffy nose…. gumweed is anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic.  (And that’s why it works well for asthma and lower respiratory issues).  I wonder if gumweed would help those nasal passages to calm down and open up?  Gumweed is quite obnoxious and vile, though, so put on the full body armor, and make a “kitty burrito” by wrapping him up in a towel to shoot that stuff down his throat.  It will be interesting to see what Patrick says, and whether gumweed is a good idea, or if there is something better I don’t know about.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

How old is the kitty Shaundele and how long has this been going on? Is there any nasal discharge?

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[Shaundele LeatherberryStudentTopic Author]

He is about 4 years old and there is no discharge.

[Shaundele LeatherberryStudentTopic Author]

This has been going on about 3 weeks or so. It seems to calm down at times. I thought there was some obstruction in his nose. Our vet sedated him and looked as far as she could and couldn’t see anything, she referred me to a specialist who had a scope but that specialist wanted to do blood tests to rule out certain things (all negative) and do prednisone for a few weeks. The problem is he can’t breathe and isn’t eating now because of it.

He seemed to do better for awhile with a vaporizer but is now struggling again for the last 2 days.

 

[Shaundele LeatherberryStudentTopic Author]

Still hoping for some ideas…..

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

I would try some antihistamine herbs to see if it’s an allergic/inflammatory thing. Brigham tea (or the Histamine formula) would be good.  You might also try some antispasmodics to open things up. I use them all the time in asthmatic cats…though it doesn’t sound like he’s having asthma. Relaxing airways and opening up the pipes may still help. On lots of cats I just use a little Lobelia tincture (5 drops or so). I also often use the Respiratory AZMA formula on those cases.

I’d do one at a time so you know which one is working. If neither seems enough, then do both.

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

2 users thanked author for this post.

Mari, Rachel

[Shaundele LeatherberryStudentTopic Author]

Thanks Doc,

The tumor seems to be growing as I can see it in his nostril and the bottom of his eye. Sometimes it seems to shift and he has an easier time breathing. I did try the AZMA formula again because he gets so tense it makes it harder to breathe.

Do you think I should be giving the prednisolone or not? Some say it reduces tumors some say it exacerbates it.

Shaundele

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

The prednisone will keep him more comfortable by decreasing inflammation in his sinus from the tumor. It has some immune suppressing properties and some other bad actions but in a case like this, the pros likely outweigh the cons.

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[Shaundele LeatherberryStudentTopic Author]

Hi Doc,

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. I do have a few more….I am giving the tinctures with a syringe so need to measure in ml. do you think 3 ml for each of the tinctures is about the right dose? It’s hard to evaluate what 4-5 drops would be. The Immunity and Resp Exp formulas seem to help him.

Also we had read that Turkey Tail was effective at times in stopping the growth of tumors. Do you have any experience with using it? We just did an infusion and let it sit and then give him 4-5 syringes full each day. What do you think of that?

Thanks, he likes to sleep right on me with his rasping breathing so I feel very close to his struggle :>) It seems at night and when he’s still he can breath normally (at least through the one nostril).

Shaundele

[SharonStudent]

Hey Shaundele – I was just reading this, and kind of scared to ask, but how is kitty doing?  Have you been able to obliterate the problems for him?  Hope the news is good.  I just lost my two kitties in the last year, so I know how much of a “kid” they are in our lives.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

On a cat I’d do 1/4 ml.

I haven’t used turkey tail on cancers.

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

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