Cat coughing

Vancat

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Hello,

My cat has been coughing for some time. We took him to the vet, and he is scheduled to get X-rays on Tuesday.
He doesn’t seem to have any other issues apart from the occasional sneeze. It is definitely new and has been happening everyday for a few weeks. I have noticed that sometimes it comes after purring as if something is irritating him. I uploaded a video if anyone has an idea what it could be. I will update as we get more tests done and hopefully get some answers.
 

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Hi. It could be coughing, it could be unsuccessfully trying to hack up a hair ball, it could be asthma, it could be a newly developed allergy, it could be, it could be, it could be...

The purring could also be from him feeling a bit off right beforehand, and he is consoling himself. It probably is a good idea to get x-rays as a starting point and then go from there.
 

mrsgreenjeens

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To me, it doesn't look like a typical asthma cough, because he isn't really extending his neck, and luckily, it also doesn't look like the coughing that goes along with heart issues. It really looks like there is something stuck in his throat, but not like a hairball.

What it could be I have no idea. Does he go outside? Just wondering if he could have a piece of grass or foxtail or something stuck in his throat. Are they going to xray his lungs or his throat, or both?
 
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Vancat

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To me, it doesn't look like a typical asthma cough, because he isn't really extending his neck, and luckily, it also doesn't look like the coughing that goes along with heart issues. It really looks like there is something stuck in his throat, but not like a hairball.

What it could be I have no idea. Does he go outside? Just wondering if he could have a piece of grass or foxtail or something stuck in his throat. Are they going to xray his lungs or his throat, or both?
I’m not sure what they will x-ray, I’m hoping both. I’ll make sure to specify I would like that. I’m not suspecting heart issue either. We lost his brother last year to HCM so unfortunately, I have experience with that.
Something stuck is my guess too but I can’t think of what. He doesn’t go outside except on our tiny patio. Not sure what he ate but I hope it’s an easy, quick and painless fix.
 
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Vancat

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Hi. It could be coughing, it could be unsuccessfully trying to hack up a hair ball, it could be asthma, it could be a newly developed allergy, it could be, it could be, it could be...

The purring could also be from him feeling a bit off right beforehand, and he is consoling himself. It probably is a good idea to get x-rays as a starting point and then go from there.
The purring is definitely from the blanket and snuggles 🥰 that’s our little nighttime ritual after the kids are in bed. But it seems to trigger something.
He did swallow a piece of yarn back in august or September but that came out and the vet did not seem to think the problem could be from that because it’s been so long. I’m a bit scared of that though.
We will know more next week.
 

FeebysOwner

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I am guessing he is still eating/drinking OK? If so, it might not be so much that something is actually stuck in his throat, but rather his throat has been/is being irritated by something - and it would seem odd to be going on this long from a piece of yarn that many months ago.

Let us know what you find out!
 
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Vancat

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Yes he has not lost his appetite at all. He still asks for food like we are starving him, so all is normal. We have to give him small meals throughout the day as he tends to throw up when he eats too much at once. And he has vomited multiple times since the cough started, I’d imagine if something was stuck, it would come out with it.
I’ll update when I get results next week. Hopefully it can help someone else identify their cats cough and get the necessary help from vet.
 

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My cat has asthma and I can say it doesn’t look like your kittys sneeze/cough. It does look more like the nasal cavity is irritated. Hope you get to the bottom of it!
 
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Vancat

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My cat has asthma and I can say it doesn’t look like your kittys sneeze/cough. It does look more like the nasal cavity is irritated. Hope you get to the bottom of it!
Thanks I hope so too.
 

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I would have them check your cat’s heart health. Sometimes coughing can be connected. My former vet wrote off my concerns about my previous cat saying it wasn’t asthma and not to worry, then she died suddenly at 4 years from heart failure. I’ve since learned that the coughing might have been a sign of heart issues. Not trying to scare you, just wish somebody had told me. I hope it’s not that for your kitty’s sake!
 
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Vancat

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I would have them check your cat’s heart health. Sometimes coughing can be connected. My former vet wrote off my concerns about my previous cat saying it wasn’t asthma and not to worry, then she died suddenly at 4 years from heart failure. I’ve since learned that the coughing might have been a sign of heart issues. Not trying to scare you, just wish somebody had told me. I hope it’s not that for your kitty’s sake!
Of course. I am already in touch with my late cats’ (brother of my orange one) cardiologist and have an appointment set up in case the x-ray does not help. He already saw the video and will also take a look at the X-rays once available. I’m a little bit paranoid since losing Milo to heart disease even if the cough does sound different.
 

stephanietx

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V Vancat please keep us posted on what you find out. I have asthmatic kitties and your kitty's cough doesn't look like an asthma attack. I used to have a cat who had serious airborne allergies, feline herpes, and generally was very susceptible to upper respiratory infections. She would cough when she had excess drainage, but it was usually associated with a herpes flare or URI. I'm interested to find out what diagnosis you get.
 
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So I took Charlie to the vet for his X-ray and ECG this morning. Still waiting on the analysis. They are sending it to the cardiologist
The vet checked his throat again which apparently is red (not sure why she didn’t see that last week because it was most likely that way already).
She gave him an antibiotic in case it’s a URI and the cardiologist called to say they had a cancellation so I managed to get an ultrasound appointment for next week instead of early March. I have to drive 2 hour 15 min one way to get there but he is worth it.
So I don’t know much more than I did before yet. Waiting to hear on analysis of X-ray.
 

stephanietx

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Is the weather changing where you're located? I have an asthmatic kitty and she's had a terrible time recently with our crazy weather pattern.
 
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Is the weather changing where you're located? I have an asthmatic kitty and she's had a terrible time recently with our crazy weather pattern.
I am in Michigan. He has been coughing for some time now so I don’t know. Would it still affect indoor cats? It could definitely be something to watch.
I’m trying to think what has changed that could trigger him but it’s hard to even pinpoint when it started.
 
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