I have a 5 year old male cat. Over the past year or so he has developed a cough along with some wheezing. About 6 months ago I took him to the vet for this and after the exam the vet said that he could see nothing wrong. He goes through these coughing and wheezing spells about once every 2 months or so, and there are no other symptoms present. His gums and tongue always stay pink so it seems like he is getting enough oxygen, but he acts as though he is having trouble breathing. Is there anything I can do to help him??
2007-09-25 07:21:34 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Either go back to that vet with more questions, or find another vet. I would ask about upper respiratory infections and about feline asthma. After a coughing spell, if you try to listen to his lungs, do you hear a crackling sound? If so, it is possible he has asthma. I think you should ask the vet for a chest x-ray, as this will determine what the problem is. I had one cat that was coughing terribly; it was through an x-ray that we discovered he had not only asthma, but a heart condition as well. This cat was only 3 at the time.
I had a similar situation with another cat, who was exhibiting similar symptoms to my boy (the one with asthma and the heart condition). I took her to Banfield, who did a cursory exam and found nothing; but when I used my stethoscope I could hear a heart murmer, so I took her to a different vet who concurred that she does indeed have asthma and cardiomyopathy. I think a second opinion is in order in your case.
2007-09-25 07:31:14 · answer #1 · answered by purrfectpals5 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depending on how severe the coughing is, could it be a hairball? My cat makes the most awful coughing and wheezing noise when he's expelling a hairball. It sounds almost like he has something up his nose or that he can't breathe (as you described). There are treats you can give that are formulated as hairball treatments -- my cat likes them and they help. And they're like Pounce treats rather than paste so both you and the cat will be happy!
I would think that if it were an upper respiratory illness or something of that nature, he'd do it more often than every couple of months. But better safe than sorry, and a second opinion at a different vet would be a good idea.
2007-09-25 14:32:44 · answer #2 · answered by Goddess 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow....sounds just like my cat. My cat does this every spring and fall and it goes along with my own allergies. My vet tried getting us to give our cat this stuff in his ear (he's a bear to pill), but by the time we picked up the medicine, his wheezing had stopped and didn't pick up again for another 3-4 months....when my own allergies began again. His eyes goop a little, but when the pollen and stuff goes away, so does his wheezing and goopy eyes. He is full of energy, nice and pink and doesn't have any other issues. I would still take him to the vet to be sure, but it sounds a lot like allergies. I would also have your vet do a heartworm check....our kitty had heartworm and coughing and wheezing can be part of that. Thank goodness it's now gone, but it did do a little damage to the lungs. Good luck!
2007-09-25 14:47:56 · answer #3 · answered by Lilah 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How about taking him to another vet? You won't find answers about this on here, the best anyone can do is guess!
Coughs are tricky. Unless a vet actually sees the coughing occuring it can be hard to diagose. Could be asthma, could be lungworm. Like I said, we can only guess - try another vet!
Chalice
2007-09-25 15:20:43 · answer #4 · answered by Chalice 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get another vet opinion. That is not normal and something is wrong.
2007-09-25 14:24:09 · answer #5 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
there must be something in the house he is allergic to.
do you have wall to wall carpet? start eliminating things until he feels better. i think it must be an allergy.
2007-09-25 14:28:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋