Same Cat, Different Problem

Renn headed back to the hospital again today. He has had a chronic respiratory issue for some time now, and it usually manifests itself in sneezes and the odd snort. Since Sunday, however, it has affected his breathing, so that his nose is often clogged and he has had trouble finding a comfortable position in which to sleep. Given my big boy’s age, I worried about the possibility of pneumonia.

The hospital to which he goes was booked solid today but, even though I told them it wasn’t quite an emergency, the receptionist was able to make room for Renn late this morning. After an examination, it was concluded that while the infection is bad this time, it had not reached his lungs and that it is indeed in the upper reaches of his air-passages. He was prescribed some anti-biotic, as well as an injection of Cerenia daily, for two or three days (depending on its effects); Cerenia, along with easing the stomach, is also used as a decongestant, as which it has been used recently in our rescue-group.

While Renn was at the hospital, the doctor suggested a quick ultra-sound to check on the mass in his bladder. My friend didn’t lie still this time; he needs to be held on his back for the reading, and his difficulty breathing probably caused him distress when he was held, so the image was unclear. Nonetheless, the doctor believes the mass is less than it was. Renn also was less annoyed at its palpitation. The veterinary stated that they will usually treat an animal with anti-inflammatory medicine when there is evidence of a tumour, to see if the mass in question responds to that drug. Right now, Renn is on two thirds the amount of anti-inflammatory he had been given, and he seems still to be benefitting from it.

So another feline scare has been dealt with. We have been lucky so far. Though the day will come when our luck will run out, as it eventually does for all of us, Renn and I are pressing it a little further for now.