We got to the Chicago area July 1 and had been working on a wean from Maxwell's methylprednisolone down to 2mg about every 10 days. We finally found a method of blending two litters that met the needs of everyone... Low dust, good odor control, low tracking (Blue multicat clumping and EquisiCat multicat fragrance free clumping). Diet is on point with 3oz of raw chicken breast mixed with 1/4t of kitty bloom twice a day and 1/3c of Blue Indoor chicken dry twice a day, per cat.

Fast forward to today... Max' breathing issues had been getting worse over the past three weeks. Found a really nice and experienced vet office nearby. His weight is up 2 lbs in a little over 2 years to 18lbs, 8oz. They review his records and tell me that two years ago the tests suggested possible IBD or lymphoma. No one ever mentioned the lymphoma thought. $360 of x-rays later and "its definitely pneumonia in one lobe, most likely asthma, but we can't rule out fungal infection or cancer without a trans-tracheal wash... Which runs $1500. And we need labs which will run you $260 or more." I opted out of both of these for now and his films will be sent to a radiology specialist for review. He'll be on a $97 compounded antibiotic for a month and another $40-something for 10 days. I love this beast, but I can't handle cancer treatments and such. They want to start inhaled steroids based on the films.

My husband left Wednesday for a 10-day hike on the Appalachian Trail. I'm just bummed and sad. I can't afford to do anything aggressive, but I don't have answers now, so I feel like I'm jumping ahead.

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I am so sorry to hear about your baby! We always want to do what's best for them, but it can get expensive. You always want to know exactly what is wrong. I'm having to take mine to the vet today as he has been vomiting, not interested in food, lethargic and wanting to hide. We always do one vet visit in between his annual checkups. I'm hoping it's nothing serious, but I know it can't compare to what you're going through with your little one. If you're not prepared to spend the money, all you can do is wait and see what happens.

I wish your husband a safe trip on the Appalachian Trail.

What were the initial symptoms for the breathing issue? Is it just when he plays, or all of the time?

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Archer- Born March 8, 2016 gold with amazing ink jet rosettes
DiVinci- Born July 31, 2016 charcoal seal lynx point

The breathing issues initially started in 2013 after a move to backwoods Louisiana. He had a lot of sneezing and coughing for that year but it would come and go. Came back from internship to home and they found the other stuff two months later.

It's most likely pneumonia, possibly a collapsed lobe of one lung, and maybe asthma. The Board Certified veterinary radiologist does not think there is tumor or cancer activity and we won't know more about his digestive system without blood work, which is out of the budget right now, but stable on the oral steroids. Which we're going to continue at half the dose he was previously taking, twice per week. The stupid-expensive compounding pharmacy actually did a bang up job and he's eaten three doses of the antibiotics sprinkles that he'll be on for the pneumonia twice a day for the next month. The doxy has the added benefit of anti-inflammatory properties, so hopefully this will help. Re-evaluate after the antibiotics but most likely, we'll switch to inhaled steroids (Flovent, actually) if it looks like asthma. The two antibiotics alone were $140. It's stressful, but he seems a little more peaceful... Fewer clumps of his brother's hair floating around in the mornings. My hope is that his food-fixation and aggression will decrease once we get him off the methylprednisolone.

I'm just really glad it doesn't look like lymphoma. I worked 7 years in Pediatric hospice. I can't do feline hospice.

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Oh n00dle my heart goes out to you and your boys. Asthma is horrible, even when you think you're fit, but compounded with chest infections it's terrible. I cannot begin to imagine how painful it has been for your baby, but know how bad it was for me, and the Prednisolone are horrible in their own right.
I pray for a clear, definitive diagnosis which will allow you to find the perfect treatment, for a full recovery, without more stress and concerns.

Sending love n {{HUGS}} from me n 'im. xx

Hopefully things can improve! I think the weather environment can affect various respiratory ailments. Keeping the air clean in your home would help (air purifier, etc.). As long as he takes his medication well and things seem to be under control .. that's good news. I know this is a lot for you to take on and the medications are horribly expensive, but we just do what we have to do. Sending you lots of love and {{{HUGS}}}.