Have had our Ragdoll for a month, now. At first he was very scared, so didn't purr. Now, he is getting used to all the new surroundings, and plays nicely, and really loves to purr when we talk to him or pet him. He rolls around and loves for us to tickle his tummy. Whenever he is happy & contented, and purring quite nicely and loudly.....sometimes he coughs. That was scary...I was thinking serious things!! Took him to our Vet, and she did X-rays, blood work, etc. All blood tests were normal, but he did have an elevated WBC, but NO fever. NO eye or nose problems....she thought he felt like he had a sore throat. Have been giving him antibiotics 2x daily since--tomorrow will be a week. He does NOT cough any other times, he plays nicely, he eats well, no elimination problems!! This has been quite the puzzle for me. Have any of you ever heard of this? The white count, being elevated, would be during an infection...and the X-ray did show a bit of congestion in lung or bronchial areas. I think, though, if he were ill, he would cough all the time, not just when he purrs. He didn't do it for 2 days, then last night he coughed again. I am sure hoping it isn't anything too serious. What are allergies like? Our previous Persian had allergies, he just itched a lot--no coughing or anything else. Maybe I will have to have him checked again....but with no other symptoms or fever, what would you do?? Thanks!!!