Conference misery::feline

308.0. "Max has bronchitis!" by JULIET::LANE_BE () Fri Jun 05 1992 13:59

   
   On Memorial weekend, my 1 yr old Maxwell (aka Mighty Max), came in from 
   a day scouting in the country, coughing as though he was just rescued 
   from drowning.  I checked him over and saw nothing stuck in his throat.
   When he settled down and seemed fine, I assumed maybe he was just 
   trying to get rid of a furball.   A couple days later, he had two 
   coughing spells.  He immediately got a visit to the Vet who said it 
   appeared as though he had  been eating grass (probably to help digest
   a few critters he'd been snacking on), and since the grass we have 
   around our place is rye grass and pretty sharp, Maxwell ended up with a 
   super irritated throat which became slightly infected.  Well he got some 
   antibiotics and was sent home.  We kept him quiet (as much as possible - 
   Ha, Ha,Ha) and indoors, and he seemed to be getting better.  He acted 
   normal unless he was involved in wrestling matches and high speed chases 
   around the house when he would have little spells.
   
   He normally sleeps through the night, but he woke me up yesterday at 
   3:00AM wheezing his little heart out and I got seriously worried. Since 
   our vet relies on donations from individuals and the Doris Day Friends 
   of Animals organization she didn't have the equipment to fully diagnose 
   Max.  She referred us to the Veterinary Hospital in Santa Cruz.  This is 
   quite a place! You would never know it was a hospital for animals.  The 
   attendants were actually singing the Beatles "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" 
   to him when they brought him out.  I almost expected wheelchair service 
   and a little hospital gown.  Now if I could only cover him as a 
   dependent on my medical insurance :^)
   
   After a day of probing and poking, Maxwell was found to have bacterial
   tracheal bronchitis!  Unfortunately the vet couldn't determine exactly 
   what the specific bacteria is.  Cultures were sent off to the lab.  In 
   the meantime he is being treated and we await further results.  She 
   insists that my other kitty Meatbee and the new kitty I plan to adopt 
   next week (thanks to Michelle Cantoni) would be safe.  (Actually I was 
   hoping to take 2 new babies, but after a $425 bill, my husband insists 
   on only 1 kitten rescue a year). I do hope this is true.  Not that I 
   don't trust her, but if she doesn't know the specific bacteria how can 
   she say this?  I'm sure it will be alright since Meatbee has showed no 
   signs of anything... just her normal "I'm top cat attitude".   We still 
   have no idea how this developed into bronchitis.  
   
   He didn't have any spell this morning but then again he was dead tired 
   from the bouncing off the walls he was doing last night.  For  kitty who 
   just got out of the hospital he was wired!  He actually behaved very 
   badly last night doing things he has NEVER done before.  Like jumping up 
   on the table during dinner.  He was also 'playing' in the closet about 
   5:00Am this morning...crashing around, pulling down my husband's slacks.  
   I have no idea how he managed to slide the door open.  I guess he really 
   heard me saying he is a poor sick kitty and realizes he is being 
   pampered.  " Naw, they won't be punish me for being a wicked little fur 
   face - I'm sick! ;^) " 
   
   Gotta love em!!!
   Here's to a speedy and quiet recovery!
   
   Becky

    
            I guess just as in people, some strains of bronchitis are
    not contagious, and you shouldn't have to worry.  
            My Max had a sore throat infection once, fever, the whole
    thing,  but no one else caught it.   Just one of those things they
    get I guess.
    
            As far as the behavior, it's probably just the medication,
    but you might want to mention it to the vet anyway, in case that 
    means a change of medication is in order.
    
            Denise

    I'm sending good healing thoughts your way for Max.
    
    Thank you,  again, for adopting one *adorable* kitten!  While I was 
    kitten-sitting last weekend, this little white furface talked to me,
    snuggled, and purred;  I think you are really going to enjoy the 
    little guy.
    
    Best,
    Michelle