Cough is back

@windwalker @nannette Terri, I’m so sorry to hear that your cough has returned. Terri and Nan, regarding cats, I have a suggestion to all who love them but are allergic. I used to be very allergic to them. However, about 25 years ago, I found 3 feral kittens outside our home in the Colorado foothills. I fell in love with one and adopted her. Fortunately, the vet who spayed her told me about ace promazine drops, which acted like allergy shots for me. At first, I lost my allergy to my cat only, but after a couple of years, I lost my allergy to all cats!! I introduced the drops to my relatives who were allergic to cats but loved them and the drops also worked for them. The drug is mixed into water. Here's info from the Jackson Galaxy website (https://www.jacksongalaxy.com/blog/cat-allergies/): “Acepromazine can be given at ultra-low doses in the cat’s food and provides relief for a great many allergy sufferers. While a single small study on the use of Acepromazine did not find statistically significant results [in reducing a certain chemical shed by cats], in practice, about 50% of people report a complete cessation of symptoms, 25% report that symptoms are improved, and 25% report no change. It takes 2-4 weeks to see results.

To a one-ounce dropper bottle containing 30 ml water, add 5 mg Acepromazine (one 5 mg tablet crushed or half of a 10 mg tablet crushed). Instructions: Shake well before using. For an adult cat, add 5-6 drops of mixture to cat’s wet food daily. For smaller kittens, use 1-2 drops. Because there is no preservative, store the bottle in the refrigerator.” (I never stored mine in the fridge.)

Acepromazine at much higher doses is a tranquilizer for cats. For that reason, some vets will only sell the drops already prepared by them. That can be expensive. However, if you can show articles and convince your vet to give you a prescription of several pills, you can mix up the solution yourself very inexpensively. (I used to get 12 pills at a time, mix up one batch at a time, and save the remaining pills until I needed a new batch. The pills lasted a very long time!) BTW, the very dilute drops had no effect on the cat tranquilizerwise. It reacts with a chemical in the cat's saliva and changes it enough so that most people aren't allergic to the new chemical.

Lori, is this medication for the cat 'by prescription only'?

Thanks Rita, I am working on getting rid of this cough. Bacterias can cause an increase in mucous as well as allergens, that is why nebbing w/saline is so important. We have to be diligent about getting that mess up and out of our lungs. Rita, what are you doing these days to keep busy during covid?

Rita, I have been cooking up new recipes in the kitchen. My daughter now lives with me and she loves to eat. I sold my boat this summer and turned the boat lot into a garden with both veggies and flowers. My daughter loves gardening and yardwork so we putz in the yard daily. I am teaching her how to propagate plants. She has been painting colorful flower pots for me, and we have created a colorful 'happy place' in our new garden space. I took in a puppy this past June and she takes up some time between playing with her and walking her. I am about to set up a spare room and turn it into an art studio. I am hoping that will inspire me to get back to my artistic roots. I am essentially trying to make my home an even better oasis since we must spend more time here due to covid. I stay busy.

Hi Terry...is it time to get a sputum sample.... can this be allergies?..is soutum coloured or clear?.

In reply to Teri-I am experiencing daily significant allergy symptoms even though we have already experienced a few times of frost; along with the feeling of increased mucus that I can’t get out (I’ve always been a dry cough person-reason why I have a vest). I don’t seem to be feeling bad, but do I need to be concerned about bacteria build up? What do you think? Thx for listening and hope things improve quickly for you😊

Hi Jennifer. Pretty sure what I have going on is allergies to the animals in my house. I was doing very well until animals moved in. My nose runs constantly, my eyes itch, sneezing my head off, and coughing up stuff......The color of what I was coughing up had been clear, but as of today; it is starting to take on color. I am going to see about getting that med that Lori suggested to feed the cat to convert it's saliva protein to something less noxious. Plus, I think I need my own room to myself. My daughter and both animals pile into my bed every night and sleep. Although we all love the togetherness, I think I need to sleep alone. (although I know that is impossible as my dog will not separate from me.) But, I can at least eliminate the cat.

migizii, Are you on antibiotics at the moment?