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Expert: - 6/16/2010


Question
My Cat is 7 years old (tabby).  Healthy other than 2 previous upper respitory infections at 1 year old and 3 year old.  Recently we adopted 2 great danes and changed the cat litter to pine pellets.  The cat developed sneezing, almost 100 times a day.  I have taken him to the vet about 6 times in the past 3 months.  He was put on oral anti biotics and Enisyl-F paste.  He developed bad diarrhea. He was finished the antibiotics and I just stopped giving him the Enisyl-F paste.  He was treated with FortiFlora and Pro-Pectalin.  The Sneezing is still present and everytime we are at the Vet our cat doesn't sneeze. There is yellow snot present.  The Vet told us to change the cat litter which we have and also warned us about perfume, air fresheners etc.  He said last resort is xray.  Do you think this is the time to insist xray?

Answer
I would follow your vets advice and get rid of the pine pellets, and put the dogs outside. If anyone smokes there should be no smoking anywhere near this cat.

The fact that he had two upper respiratory infections shows that he has weak lungs.
The fact that the cat doesn't sneeze at the vets tells you two things:
One- he is away from the allergen at home and
two- they are too distracted and scared to sneeze at the vets.

But a cat with really severe problems wouldn't be able to stop itself.

So get rid of the offensive items including any new rugs you might have-throw rugs, comforters etc. Even new curtains have compounds in them that can cause this.

Xrays of what? His nasal passages maybe yes- but try the above first. Give that a week or two then go for the xray.

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

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PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

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I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

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Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

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