Why has my cat's airway narrowed?

Question

My cat was neutered and had a microchip. The next day I thought he kept trying to heave up a firball. The vet said his airway had narrowed. His diaphram was ok, virus checks came back negative and he had no foreign bodies in his throat. He nearly died. The vet seemed puzzled as to the cause. She said he may have asthma. I saw a cat on youtube have an asthma attack and it doesn't look the same. He's 11 months. Would asthma suddenly come on like that? Maybe a wasp stung him near his mouth. He was indoors, but wasps can get inside. He's not 100% but is so much better. I think the tablets he's on are steroids and anti inflammatories, which aren't usually give together but were needed to keep him alive. Has anyone heard of a microchip causing problems like this? Can it be removed? I think it's odd that he was ok till the day after neutering and chipping. Could it be a bad reaction to something they gave him? He was so distressed and the treatment was £500. I'll be angry if it's their faul.

I should mention he has a cut on his tail which is taking a while to heal, but it's not infected. I'm not using a buster collar cos I don't want to distress him more than necessary. What should I do if after two weeks on medication his airway isn't totally normal? I'll get a second opinion but appreciate any thoughts to save Kitty anymore distress.

Chalice: I did say I'd get a second opinion. Please read my message properly. Thanks for your thoughts.

Answer 1

Omigosh this sounds really serious. It does sound like complications from the neutering or micro chip but i would not be able to say for sure. If i was you i would take him to another vet for a second opinion. I really don't know what to say ... but please let us know how this turns out. Thanks.

Answer 2

In all seriousness, if the vet was puzzled as to the cause do you really expect people on here to have a better idea??

A microchip can be removed in theory, but I don't think there's anyway it can possibly be the cause of this problem. It's just a little implant under the skin, the only problems ever recorded from them have been temporary swelling at the injection site. They'd have to xray to get the location of the chip (they move) and then cut it out under sedation - but your cat is not well enough for this, and I think you'd be wasting your time.

I think the tube placed in the cat's airway during the anaesthetic may well have exacerbated a pre-existing problem - but what that problem is it's impossible to say over the internet. The endotracheal tube often causes irritation to cat's tracheas, but this is mild and usually cleared up after a couple of days, nothing as serious as this. This is why I think the cat already had a problem.

If you're not happy with the answers and/or treatment provided by your current vet, by all means seek a second opinion - but not from Yahoo Answers!!

Chalice

Answer 3

Sounds like anaphylactic reaction- ALLERGY.
Remove the chip, as that's the most likely cause.
You can't keep him on steriods forever- really unhealthy.
If the vet argues, just tell him or her you don't care you just want it out. Or- go to another vet.
You have to trust your gut sometimes.
I have 6 (microchipped) cats- and occassionally I have wondered if the chip could cause a reaction. Your cat is having an allergic reaction and if I were you the chip would come out asap.

Answer 4

It sounds very much like an allergy, rather than asthma, get a second opinon and see about having the mircochip removed if it seems to be the cause of all the problems.

Hope this helps.

Answer 5

Hi,
This could be a reaction to whatever your vet used to antithesis your kitty . Your kitty should be OK, but some Kitty's have allergic reactions, just like people do, to medicines and such. ~Blessings~