Not sure what to do.......

Hi...My cat Sunkist has been sneezing, coughing and has a runny nose. At times he shakes his head and mucus goes everywhere. It doesn't happen everyday - a few days then it stops then he just coughs and sounds like he is clearing his throat. He was very sick in the beginning of the year - URI etc. My Vet wants to do a tracheal wash but that entails sedating him. He is eating and playing and doesn't seem to be too effected by his symptoms and I am wondering if I should wait before bringing him in for this procedure. A trip to the Vet stresses him as it is. Please help. Thanks

 

has he been on antibiotics at all? That the normal course of treatment for a URI, and usually does quite well.
When his nose gets stuffy you could steam up your bathroom and put him in there. BUT...no longer than 20 minutes. And this is usually only necessary if he's having trouble breathing from a stuffy nose.
If antibiotics haven't been prescribed yet I'd go with that before subjecting him to any anesthesia. That would scare me with an ill kitty.

 

No antibotics yet. The last time we tried so many meds and nothing worked - it just made him worse. Finally the Internal Med Doctor just said stop everything and it will run it's course because it was viral. So...now I am confused as to what to do....wait and he may get worse or get better on his own or nip it in the bud and get the tracheal wash. I so fear sedating him - he has bad reactions to shots/meds. 4 vets and 1 specialized doctor and they still couldn't pinpoint what was the matter with my Sunkist last time. This is a new Vet by the way. So the bottom line is that I am afraid. Afraid that he will get worse either if I do something or nothing.

 

do you have a cat-only vet in your area? Have they tested Sunkist for allergies?
Most healthy cats, with normal immune systems, can beat a mild to moderate URI on their own. Maybe Sunkist has issues w/antibiotics and just needs time to get over it.
Also stress can be a motivating factor in URIs...you suppose all this poking/prodding by vets can be causing the symptons to not go away?
My last foster, who was here for 6 months, was a sneezy girl. Now in her new home she still is sneezy. No lung congestion just sneezy/sniffling. The vet her new owner takes her too suspects allergies.
You have to do what you have to do for your cat...but if this was my cat and his health is okay, eats fine/litterbox habits remain fine - I'd ride it out for awhile w/out meds and see if he improves. But at the first sign he's getting sicker I'd take the trach wash...of course it's your call but I'd hesitate on the trach wash as long as possible if he has issues with meds and such.