PERSONAL STORY | PETS
Stop Blaming the Cats!
My cat, Kimchi, has been wheezing occasionally ever since we brought her home, but it started happening more frequently after a while. At first, I thought she might be vomiting hairball, but it turned out not to be the case. I suspected it could be asthma, but I wasn’t even aware that cats could have asthma until then.
Kimchi had to go for an X-ray. As soon as I saw the results, it confirmed what I suspected because it looked exactly like what I had studied about asthma.
When it comes to diagnosing feline asthma, a picture is worth a thousand words, so veterinarians employ radiographs (X-rays), computed tomography (CT), and bronchoscopy to see inside a cat’s lungs and evaluate their condition. In cats with asthma, radiographs often — but not always — reveal a characteristic bright branching pattern along the airways that is created by the accumulation of inflammatory cells.
Source: Feline Asthma
I felt relieved and sad at the same time because, with the X-ray, we could skip other unnecessary diagnostic tests and get a clear confirmation of her condition. It saved us a lot of time and anxiety.
However, I was saddened to find out that the inhaler she needs is currently out of stock. It’s challenging to find it, and I discovered that there are different dosages — 125 mg for and 50mg. She was prescribed 50mg but only 125 mg is available in the market, so we have to adjust its dosage with not more than 10 seconds of exposure each time. Managing asthma requires a two-pronged approach — one inhaler for control and another for relief. To administer the medication properly, we have to use a chamber designed for her inhaler.
Turned out, I’m asthmatic too. I started noticing the similarities between Kimchi’s symptoms and mine. Initially, it was mild for me, but after recovering from COVID, my symptoms got worse. Breathing became a real struggle, and I had to put in a lot of effort to pull air into my lungs. It happened frequently at night and when I laughed to much watching comedies.
At first, I thought it might be my rhinitis, so I tried taking antihistamines and warm water to relieves the congestion. But the symptoms persisted. I had a terrible throat infection in the past, and my airway got blocked due to a swollen throat. So, I thought maybe if I keep my head straight it would help to clear the airways, but nothing works.
When I suspected it was asthma, going to the government clinic was a bit troublesome and confusing because we could only visit a certain branch based on our residential address. The symptoms kept getting worse each day, and it was becoming quite concerning. Thankfully, I bought an inhaler as a backup, and it provided immediate relief.
You see, the reason I opt for the government clinic is that it’s subsidized, and it helps me save on medical expenses. All the funds I have are dedicated to maintaining my cats’ health and well-being, and as you know, their medical needs are not subsidized. So, it’s a balancing act, making sure both Kimchi and I get the care we need within the available resources.
People might say I’m a cheapskate for going to the government clinic, but honestly, it’s about being practical and responsible with my finances. Taking care of my cats is my priority, and I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure they receive the best care possible.
Now, I just need confirmation from the doctors to be sure.
On the day of my appointment, since I had already pinpointed the issue, the doctor didn’t have to go through a lengthy diagnosis process. They conducted the relevant tests and confirmed my asthma.
To help determine how well your lungs are working (pulmonary function), you take a deep breath and forcefully breathe out (exhale) into a tube connected to a spirometer. This records both the amount (volume) of air you exhale and how quickly you exhale. If certain measurements are below normal for a person your age, it may indicate that asthma has narrowed your airways.
When the doctor asked how I managed to figure it out, especially since no one in my family had asthma, I had to tell them that it was because of Kimchi. They chuckled, probably surprised that a cat played a crucial role in diagnosing my own health condition.
But here’s the worse part of the story— someone in the family, I won’t mention who, keeps blaming our cats for all the health problems in the world. It’s been tough with that person. She absolutely hates animals and pets, especially our cats. It’s almost like her personal witch hunt, trying to find something to point fingers at.
Maybe she would tell me cats can cause autism too.
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It’s more like a case of a certain kind of privilege abuse. It’s a license for bad behavior, allowing one to make up whatever nonsense to get their way, or in this case, make the cats go away. One can almost take their own words as the gospel truth when they have this privilege.
On the other hand, her “delightful” behavior is just so fantastic for my already complicated mental health. But let’s save that twisted tale for another day, shall we? It’s like unwrapping a labyrinth of complexities that’s best left for another time. My psychiatrist had pinpointed her behavior as one of my triggers, and “delightful” is not the word I’d use to describe it. So, she’s definitely on my to-avoid list!
Unlike her, I don’t have the privilege to conjure stuff out of thin air. Nope, I can only speak when I have that darned actual basis for my words.
So, stop blaming the cats already. There are worse things, like hazardous humans, that can cause even more harm than these little innocent cats.
Both Kimchi and I are feeling incredibly fragile these days. Her asthma gets triggered whenever that mischievous rascal, Kimbap, decides to pick a fight with her. Poor Kimchi can’t catch a break! But to be honest, Kimchi is quite a grumpy cat herself, and she can vocalize her disapproval like an old lady; that, too, can trigger her asthma.
Lately, Kimchi’s condition has taken a turn for the worse. Her asthma has become more frequent, and it’s been a struggle for her, poor thing. The chamber we were using to administer her medication may not be very efficient, as she absolutely hates it and resists using it. We might need to explore other options, like getting a nebulization box, to make the treatment process more comfortable for her. Anything to ensure she gets the relief she needs and deserves.
As for me, my asthma flares up when I indulge in hearty laughter. How ironic is that? Even finding joy in a good laugh has become a challenge now. Must I stay sad all the time? My cold drinks are no longer a carefree pleasure; now, I can’t take a sip without my trusty inhaler by my side.
It’s quite a thing I’ve got going on when I step outside —rhinitis, anxiety, panic attacks, and asthma, all in one package!
I’m learning to manage them as best as I can.
©Emika Oka
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