Cat coughing / retching at night

[Ninabob5]

Hello everyone, about a week ago, my 10 year old cat started making a coughing/retching noise at night, during the day she does it but it’s very minimal (1-3 times a day). She‘s eating and drinking normally, coat looks perfect, no panting, no vomiting, she doesn’t lie in the “loaf” position, her breathing seems normal and her behavior has not changed.
At first I thought it might the food; it dimished a bit at first but it is still happening. While searching I read that it could be heart failure and now I’m terrified.

I called the vet to buy some gabapentin and they refused to sell it to me; she gets extremely nervous in car rides to the point I’ve turned around in other occasions because she starts panting and I get scared. If anyone has any recommendations, please let me know.

 

[silent meowlook]

Hi. Call another veterinarian. Look for a cat only vet.
What you describe could be feline asthma. A chest X-ray (3) will show if it is asthma.

 

[vampiric_conure]

Hi. Call another veterinarian. Look for a cat only vet.
What you describe could be feline asthma. A chest X-ray (3) will show if it is asthma.

Bonus points if there's a mobile vet you can call!

 

[fionasmom]

Depending on where you live, if a vet has not seen your cat in the last year they cannot legally prescribe anything for her.

 

[stephanietx]

It could be asthma or allergies as well as heart failure, so don't freak out too much. Try calling another vet to see if they will help with meds to keep her calm while en route to the vet clinic.