Feline respiratory disease

Re: Feline respiratory disease

Martin Atkinson — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 16:30:43 GMT

[quote user="Kate Richardson"]I have no evidence that anti-virals would definitely be effective, unless someone else knows of any evidence of effectiveness.[/quote] I have used Virbagen Omega with great success in young kittens - symptoms eliminated in 3 days with no antibiotic if caught before the secondary infection set in, it costs relatively little per kitten in tiny kitties and hopefully they won't convert to carrier status. In older cats with acute on chronic flare ups I use it sparingly not least as it is a lot more expensive per animal but IME it will shorten the flare-up to 4-5 days rather than a week of more with just antibiotics.

Re: Feline respiratory disease

Kate Richardson — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 19:23:04 GMT

I have no evidence that anti-virals would definitely be effective, it was just a suggestion given the FHV positive status, would be interesting to see if they did make a difference but if costs are an issue, then this may not be the case. On the other hand, if they worked well, it may save lots of money on antibiotics etc. You wouldn't necessarily need the cat on them all the time, maybe just when having flare ups? But it would a trial and error treatment, unless someone else knows of any evidence of effectiveness.If you do need antibiotics, I would definitely give doxycycline a trial as has some anti-inflammatory effects as well.

Re: Feline respiratory disease

Mair Tyler — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 12:01:03 GMT

Hi,

Thanks for your replies.

cat 1: doxycycline was started as seemed a good option after the BAL was done. C+S then confirmed sensitivity to tetracyclines and fluroquinolones. The cat had previously been treated with convenia, to which it was resistant.

Cat 2: had convenia on one occaision but after that never seemed to be an indication for ABs. A ProBNP was done as was some degree of cardiomegaly on radiographs- this which was elevated although no heart murmur/arrhythmia detected on examination. T4 was normal. Will contact owner re use of anti-virals though money is a bit of an issue...

Re: Feline respiratory disease

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 18 Dec 2013 09:52:24 GMT

+1 for all Kate says. However for the second cat: I'm not familiar with using famcyclovir but have had some success with Virbagen Omega. I also had a similar case recently in a cat which comes back every few months with symptoms of URTI (its very first presentation was a grass blade which it sneezed out) and as part of trying to eliminate the possibility of another FB I performed a retrograde nasal flush. No FB but loads of pus/mucous. The cat was reported very much improved after this and has stayed away for longer than usual.

Also it is little recognised that cats can suffer from adenoiditis which results in chronic/recurrent URTI (especially those with symptoms of reverse sneezing). I don't think the medical management is going to be any different but apparently it is possible to perform an adenoidectomy although I've not tried (I don't know if I've ever reliably recognised the adenoids yet!) and don't know if anyone in the UK has either.

Re: Feline respiratory disease

Kate Richardson — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 21:02:59 GMT

Hi Mair Was doxy chosen for the first cat on basis of sensitivity? I would treat until the cats cough has completely resolved and then for 2 more weeks. Is the cat well? Seems an odd bacteria to get or at least not one I have cultured before from a bal. Time will tell if recurrence is going to be a problem but if it recurs i would be inclined to repeat the bal as soon as possible and assess cytology as well as culture and look for underlying bronchitis or asthma. If the cough doesn't completely resolve on doxy I would repeat a bal at that stage as well With the second cat which antibiotics have you used? Sounds like a chronic rhinitis so it's more about management with antibiotics as necessary, steam therapy but may be worth trialling famcyclovir given the positive FHV Excellent owner info on ICC website (formerly FAB) would post a link but not sure how to from iPhone!