Expert: Becky - 1/19/2005

Question
Becky, My name is Erin and I just recently brought my cat home from the shelter, probably two or three months ago. Her name is Eve and she is a domestic shorthair tabby. When I brought her home she seemed come to find out she had earmites and an upper respitory virus. I took her to the vet to be treated. While the earmites have almost vanished, she still sneezes constantly. She has a mucus discharge from her nose but no abnormal discharge from her eyes. The vet gave her two doses of amoxicillian and now has her taking 3/4 of a tablet of some kind for dogs. She throws the pills up so I have to dissolve them in water and then shoot them down her throat with a syringe. Whenever I do this she gags like she is going to vomit and foam appears around her mouth. Is the foam normal? I am just curious to know what I can do to help her, she seems so miserable. My vet is running out of suggestions and she doesn't seem to be getting much better. The medicine seems to be working a little since she has stopped sneezing ALL the time, but her fur is greasy and has a lot of static (the vet told me not to give her a bath until she is well). Is it normal for these types of symptoms to occur, and what else can I do for her if no one can tell me what is wrong? Is lifetime medication a possibility? Thank you so much for responding, I hope that you can help me help her... Thank you,
Erin

Answer
Hi Erin,

I am so glad you adopted this poor kitty, or she probably would have been put to sleep!  It does sound like she has upper respitory problems.  You may want to ask your vet if there is a liquid form of whatever she is taking.  The foaming is natural.  Not only does it stress her to take the meds, but it probably doesn't taste good... hence the foaming at the mouth.  I'm not sure how you are giving it by mouth, but if you hold the scruff of her neck and lean her head back, you can shoot it down the side of her mouth pretty easily.  I really think that once this has run its course, she will be ok.  Please keep in mind though, that this is contagious and to keep her inside, away from any other cats.  

The earmites are usually easy to get rid of, and it sounds like you have done that.   If you see any signs again, such as her excessive scratching or shaking of her head, be sure to treat her immdediatly.  But if you got them all, you shouldn't have to worry about that anymore.

Try a dry shampoo for her oily coat.  She doesn't feel all that great so she probably is not grooming herself as she should.  You can buy it at any petshop , or I bet Walmart even has it in their pet dept.   It will clean her coat and keep her from looking so bad until you can bathe her.

Thank you for taking Eve and giving her a home. I can tell you are an excellent pet owner because you care about her and want to help her get better.  Give her some time, I think you will be rewarded for your efforts.

God Bless,
Becky