I took in this cat in April.named him Noir. He was severely malnourished and underweight with a nasty wound on his backside.
Since then I’ve managed to triple his weight. I’ve had him neutered and vaccinated.
I actually thought he was an old cat because it took over a month before he would play. He slept so much.
But now I’m pretty sure he’s like 2 or 3. He’s got a ton of energy and just seems “young”.
So the coughing.
Never had a cat that does this. I didn’t know what was happening at first and thought it was coughing up hairball like my other cat but this is different.
He did do it a few short times when I first got him and I thought maybe dust or allergens so I cleaned the floors and dusted really well and I thought it was better. It’s possible he’s doing this when I’m asleep or not around though so maybe it never got better.
He occasionally sneezes too with big snot discharge. It’s clear though, so no infection. No eye discharge.
The coughing is not every day. But it’s not going away. And I’m pretty sure even though the frequency hasn’t increased, the length of coughing has. This video is one of the longest I’ve seen him cough. I wanted to get a video for the vet. He was on the couch with me. Started coughing. Jumped to floor and I thought. He is going to cough more so managed to get my phone out in time.
I have a vet appointment in two weeks. That was the earliest they could get me in.
Asthma seems the most likely since he doesn’t have symptoms of an infection. But I hear lung worms are a thing. He was an outdoor stray. So he’s at risk.
Asthma coughing is usually brought on by allergens. But I just can’t fathom what he is allergic too. I myself have a dust allergy. So I’m pretty good at keeping my living space decently clean.
Originally he mostly coughed in the back bedroom so I thought maybe fabric dust or idk. Something unique to that area.
But he was hacking in the living room last night. And it was the worst coughing fit I’ve witnessed so far.
I’m sure the vet will figure it out and guide his treatment. But is there anything I can do in the meantime?
It’s so scary to watch him hack and cough like that. Like he can’t breathe.
I use clay litter. Could it be the litter ?
I tried searching online and only found one page that said it’s rare. But it is dusty. ?
Idk. I just am looking for any suggestions to help alleviate his breathing issues until his vet visit on the 13th.
I’m in the U.S Midwest right now and it’s very humid. I did read using a humidifier can help but it’s already moist here.
I also cleaned my AC filters.
Sorry for long explanation. I just see him hacking and straining to breath and want to do anything I can to help.
It just looks and sounds so bad when he does it. I feel helpless to do anything.
Send the video to the vet. Ask them if it is an emergency. Don’t wait.
Coughing in cats can be a sign of major heart issues. Cats rarely cough if they are simply congested.
If the problem was just congestion, they would probably be sneezing more, and possibly breathing through their mouth.
I’m not a vet, but I’ve had two cats with heart issues. One of them also had seasonal allergies. So I do have first-hand experience with these kinds of symptoms. That’s why I say to contact the vet and share the video now.
Okay I’m going to call them back tomorrow. I did explain on the phone what was happening. But maybe the video will show it needs more immediate attention.
I’ve not seen him mouth breathing but I’m definitely keeping a close eye on him.
Breathing through the mouth can be a sign of very serious illness in a cat, such as being unable to breathe, so definitely keep an eye out for it.
Coughing in cats is a very bad sign. It could be nothing, but it could also be something that could literally kill that cat before he even gets to the vet. There’s no gray area here. Get him into any vet sooner.
I have a cat with asthma, although it’s more mild in our case, gets worse with certain seasons and usually flares up after she’s done some zoomies through the house.
How it presents for her is she’ll find somewhere comfy like carpet, loaf up, and start hacking away for 15-60 seconds, after that she’ll get up , lick her lips and swallow a few times, and start doing the usual as if nothing happened.
I’m not a vet or a doctor or anything so I couldn’t say if this is or isn’t asthma but wanted to give firsthand experience of a cat with confirmed asthma. If it’s getting worse or Noir starts acting out of character, it’s worth going sooner than later if at all possible!
You could try to change out the litter. ime Purinas Tidy Cats is best; though, try not to get any of the scented ones. If it’s not the litter, than it is perhaps a growth somewhere in his respiratory system, maybe their sinus. Or, hopefully, it’s just something that’s stuck up there that he now has the time and energy to deal with.
I feel like there are so many possible causes. Here’s hoping it’s more minor than serious. 🤞
You might also get an active air filter as listed on the site. I hope your kitty is okay. :)
Two weeks?! Is there no other vet nearby?
I searched around and this one had good reviews and is in my town. There are others in a town about 40 min away.
For some reason the smaller town nearby has like 5 vets. All with good ratings.
Maybe taxes are cheaper or something.
Noir isn’t hacking like this every day. To me it’s definitely something that needs attention soon. but not sure it’s super urgent and can’t wait 2 weeks. But another person suggested I send the video to the vet. So tomorrow I’m going to do that. If they think it’s more urgent but still can’t get me in, I’ll go elsewhere.
I wanted to go to a vet nearby because I’m sure this is going to be more than a 1 time visit. Car rides really stress him out.
Try giving them some coconut oil. That’s a strange type of cough, more like they’re trying to hack up a hairball. Coco oil helps lubricate the digestive tract so it helps pass hairballs. Could be one small thing you could try while waiting on appt.
You came here because your gut instinct is unhappy about waiting 2 weeks. You’ll be anxious every single time he coughs between now and then. I would call the other vets and find the soonest appointment while also waiting for the current vet to watch the video and respond.
Could be an asthma attack?
