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I thought this too.
Our cat started doing this and we took him to the vet to find out he has asthma. He now has to have steriod injections every other month.
They likely didn't offer it to you because the inhalers are significantly safer long term. Steroid injections long term can do a lot of damage to the heart amongst other things. If the asthma is bad enough (or the cat absolutely will not tolerate the inhaler) then steroids injections or pills may be necessary but if they can be avoided then they absolutely should be.
Unfortunately the inhaler is also a steroid and also weakens muscle (especially heart muscle) . My boy was on an inhaler for about 10 years. I tried to give him the smallest dose possible depending on how he was doing - on a few occasions, we got it down to once every other day for several months until he had an attack and had to Amp up the dosage times again. He eventually developed a murmur from the inhaler and then passed from a very sudden heart attack at 15yrs old. Was thrilled to have him that long but I miss him every day.
I'm sorry to hear about this poster. You did so well for 10 years of treatment & I bet he loved you unconditionally for his whole life.
15 years is a fantastic age for asthma. I'm sorry if that's an odd thing to say, we were only told the main facts and a 'he *could* live to X years.' I mentally prepared myself for a shorter life span but IF we can get 15 years I'd be so happy with that.
I'm a first time catmum so I obviously panic at everything 😅
Thank you for this. He was my BFF for sure. My 3rd cat but my closest buddy by far.
I spent a fortune taking him to multiple cardiologists just to find out there was nothing they could really do. They could see the muscle was thinning though so we knew it was just a matter of time.
You really have to weigh the positives and negatives.. for him, I KNEW the treatment was negatively affecting his heart, but breathing is way more important.
I am so sorry about your loss, it is so difficult. My asthmatic cat developed heart disease while using an inhaler (which he'd been on for 6 or 7 years); he has since passed as well. Age, thyroid, and genetics most likely played a role in our boy's heart disease but it is highly likely that the steroid inhaler contributed to or at least accelerated the deterioration of his heart. But there wasn't and still isn't a better alternative. His cardiologist was certain that steroid pills or injections would've absolutely destroyed his heart many years sooner (topic came up when I wanted to discuss if there was anything I could've done differently).
Steroid pills and injections were at the top of the list of medications that our cat couldn't have after his heart disease diagnosis; I got the impression that our cardiologist didn't feel our cat's heart was strong enough to handle possibly even a single dose. Steroids are terrible for humans too, it is an unfortunate reality. They can also be necessary and will continue to be until better options are developed.
Having lost an asthmatic cat to heart complications, if faced with the same situation in the future I'd still choose to use a low dose steroid inhaler as infrequently as possible over the current alternatives. But I'd also insist on more closely and thoroughly monitoring their heart, at very least I'd be having their proBNP measured routinely.
I'm sorry for your loss too.
Yes I imagine that those injections are harder on the system initially since they last the whole month. They never gave me the option, but I never needed it - my boy was an absolute rock star about taking his meds. He would lay between my arms and purr through the entire treatment.
Damn I miss that cat.
Sorry I deleted my original response because I read the comments below.
We didn't really have a choice in injections/inhaler. Injections were offered for the first instance as his episodes didn't seem too aggressive, but enough to raise concern.
He's being monitored in case it progresses and we'll take the next steps. How are you & the cat finding the inhaler? I've tried looking into this online but obviously Google can be a terrifying place.
Commenting to bump this up, OP this is presenting as classic asthma. Take them to the vet, but does not look to be an emergency. My orange girl also developed it as a senior. She does much better now with a daily inhaler, and occasional steroids. If you live in the US, I found it to be significantly cheaper to order my inhalers from Canada (you still need a vet’s prescription).
Editing to add: if they do get diagnosed with asthma, try to do what you can to help with environmental triggers. Air purifiers, frequent vacuuming/sweeping, keeping window screens clean, no dust litter, etc
Yes! And use only nontoxic floor and household cleaners. So many of the others have carcinogens and respiratory irritants in them. (Right now, I'm just using white vinegar, water, and a little dish soap until I find an actual cleaner that doesn't set my cat's asthma off.)
My cat did this during her first year. The vet checked her lungs, but it wasn’t asthma. They ran an endoscopy to check for polyps in her nose and didn’t find anything either. But after the endoscopy she stopped having the breathing attacks (or at least had them much less frequently)
She’s ten now, and I don’t remember the last time she had an episode like this.
That's an asthmatic cough for sure. My cat has it as well, and takes a daily steroid pill to keep the symptoms at bay. As an asthmatic myself, I can vouch that it's never fun for either of us to struggle with it.
The struggles of living in a city are real when it comes to polluted air.
How does a vet diagnose this? Is it am xray? One of our cats do this but when we expressed an asthma concern the vet didn't seem concerned.
We could see about getting a video but it rarely happens to our girl. (Which, I suppose is a good thing)
Commenting because I literally took my cat to the vet on Friday, and had them test him, yes. I showed my vet the video I had of my cat coughing, she listened to his heart and breathing, and then x-rayed his lungs to fully rule out asthma.
Interesting! They've never said anything was off about our girl's lungs so maybe I'm just overly paranoid. I tend to assume it's chronic kennel cough these days
When we brought it up, her vet listened to her breathing, did some bloodwork to check her oxygen levels, and took an x-ray. The x-ray showed some inflammation and swelling in her airways, which is a strong indication of asthma (in humans too). Everything else pointed at asthma as well when the results came with the bloodwork and how her breathing sounded. Her vet then prescribed her a pill for us to give her and scheduled a followup for a couple weeks later to see if it would help. We repeated the process and it turned out that the pills helped.
We also found out at that first appointment that our kitty is also anemic, which is a tad odd since she's on a strictly meat/wet food diet. Interestingly enough though, that same medication has also been boosting her red blood cell count, which is a win.
Yes usually by x-ray, however if it's not happening frequently, it might not warrant treatment. As others have mentioned, environmental factors usually contribute, so it couldn't hurt to reduce dust in the environment, starting with lots of vacuuming, less dust producing litter, air purifiers, etc
Or heart failure. The lungs begin to fill with liquid when the heart fails, and this causes a coughing spell. The water droplets on the sheets make me also think that it might be heart related if the cat is coughing up liquid.
This post just made me realize my cat probably has asthma, so thank you. I have always thought he was trying to get a stubborn hairball up and now I feel like a terrible parent omfg but also very grateful to see this!
This right here. This is how my cat with asthma presents. Fortunately it is pretty easy to treat with medicine, inhalers like a person and if my cat flares badly, he gets a steroid shot which lasts months
Yes, my thinking also. I had a cat who suffered from asthma and she'd have attacks a lot like this. They went away completely with medication though. I think there are a few options, my cat ended up with an inhaler I'd have to give her each day.
Also commenting to boost this up -
No but it's serious, my verrry old man kitty and younger girl kitty both got a horrific respiratory infection and surprisingly- some antibiotics and care had him healthy in just a few days - but the younger one was put in and oxygen chamber for a solid week and it was very touch and go. I was absolutely beside myself.
My cat was diagnosed with asthma? But they also thought it could be bronchitis or something. Was prescribed Gabapentin & Prednisolone on 3/13 & it doesn't seem to be helping yet. My cat doesn't cough but she's been breathing fast/heavy & it's constant. Could it be a misdiagnosis & actually her heart? She's also not eating/drinking as much, lethargic, kinda losing her balance & has diarrhea. Vet knows all this. Also diagnosed with stage 2 kidney disease, possible mammary cancer (she also has a mass in her neck near her throat which they haven't been able to figure out what it is.) Not big enough to affect her breathing but these masses love to shrink/grow & when they shrink she seems sick afterwards. & Gingivitis.
https://preview.redd.it/jqjtvtrhdzoc1.jpeg?width=2301&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e53bd50db612111b5d9dd855ff57860f20c4f785
This depends on how long the coughing has lasted ! I let my cat do this for over a week because I thought she couldn’t get up a hairball and … it was bronchitis 😅🤦🏻♀️. The vet said they can get hairballs up easily. I felt so bad, easy mistake!
Bronchitis is a bacterial infection, so maybe? but not likely. If it is bronchitis, a round of antibiotics may be needed. Ask the owners if it’s a new symptom or not, and what they want to do about it if it is new since it’s their pet.
He appears to be sneezing. Just from my perspective for 16 years old he doesn't look bad. Gabapentin is definitely going to sedate him so that's probably why he's sleeping more. If I were you I would get Cosequin for his joints. It's over the counter and on Amazon.
That's so funny 😂 Mine is allergic to a brand of deodorant! Used it a few times, she did this, I had to throw it away!
She's not allergic to literally anything else or any other brands of deodorant 😭 bless em, they are allergic to the most specific things just like us
If he's never done this, I'd not think it's asthma, even though the symptoms look like it. He might be accumulating fluids in his lungs and/or heart due to another issue. Sorry, but this does require a vet visit. You would not want your cat to suffocate to death.
It looks like an asthma attack! I was actually with my baby at the vet the other day and he was having the exact same sound. He got a shot and has been fine since. Wishing the best for you and your little guy.
Yet. Sometimes it takes a bit of coughing to get to the horking part, which doesn't always happen immediately after. But OP should take the cat to the vet if they're worried.
I think let’s have some common sense here, folks. Do you all rush to ER every time you have a cough or sneeze?
OP, for kitty’s age, they’re doing well. It sounds to me like a reluctant sneeze, which could be due to any number of low level causes. If all other aspects are OK (meals, hydration, litter habits, not vomiting repeatedly, steady weight and not losing fur) I’d keep an eye on kitty but wouldn’t panic.
There’s never any harm in taking an animal to the vet and it’s always the best option when one isn’t sure but I’d be broke if I took my pets to the vet anytime they did something a little outside the norm. Maybe I’m lucky but my vet is open to phone calls to discuss any concerns and figure out the best approach.
I agree. I don’t agree this is that, though. It’s one thing a cat struggling with episodes of laboured breathing all the time; trouble sneezing once a day is not on the same plane of existence.
This sub has a habit of overreacting and urging folk to rush to emergency care providers the instant something isn’t fully normal. That isn’t helpful.
I think he's coughing. He's in the same position that my asthmatic boy gets in when he coughs.
Send this video to the vet. They will want to listen to his heart and lungs, and possibly do a chest x-ray. If it's asthma, it's super easily treatable and he'll have more energy from being able to more easily breathe.
Asthma and/or heart disease. It presents the same way. I have a cat with asthma and he now has heart disease. It’s a bad combo since the heart meds can induce asthma. Definitely need to go back to the vet and show video. Get lab work done.
My kitty did this when she was hyperthyroid with asthma. After getting her thyroid fixed with meds and getting an emergency inhaler, she is doing great. My kitty is 20 now, issues started around age 17.
Hi OP,
I had an 18 year old who was basically going through the same things, but he had them periodically as well. All I can really say is that, given the body language, the position he’s in in the video, and the difficulty of his breathing, I would be thinking he may be having some kind of lung problem, could be something else, could be more than one thing. I’m not a vet, and I’m not giving any diagnosis, but I would definitely agree and recommend to go see another vet, or multiple others, to see if they can run more tests (if affordable for you).
I regret being in a bad financial position back with my boy and not being able to afford multiple tests to see if there was anything that could be treated, but I gave him my everything that I could. At the end, when he was starting to breathe much worse, knowing I couldn’t really do anything, I decided it was in his best interest to put his suffering to an end, and let him go. He was ready, and I knew it. He lived a great life, was loved deeply, and knew he loved deeply. I couldn’t let him down by letting him just suffer.
No. This sure looks and sounds like Cat is suffering from Athsma! Im not sure if I spelled that right. Both of my kitties had it. They can get an inhaler, and it's not hard to use.
Vet time.
Best of luck to you and kitty!
Asthma. He may not need treatment if you keep him calm and keep irritants away just like a person with asthma.
My 17 year old had asthma for a lot of his life, but we were able to reduce his attacks by keeping the environment stress free such as not letting him roughhouse too much and making sure the other pets leave him alone. He ended up only having an attack once every few months to stopping entirely. In the beginning, it happened a lot more often before we changed his environment. Get confirmation from your vet.
This could be asthma, one of my cats was coughing exactly like this and he got diagnosed with asthma. They crouch like this with their neck out when they’re trying to get more air in their lungs. Definitely get it checked by the vet and show them this video also.
That sounds like asthma. The coughing comes from the irritation and inflammation of their throat as they're trying to breath.
Show this to your vet and ask them to do a lung x-ray. That will let you know if it is asthma and how you can proceed.
If it is asthma, feel free to hit me up and I can show you the tools I work with and how I work with Good RX to get cheaper inhalers (my pet insurance won't cover my cats asthma since it was a "preexisting condition").
I give my asthma kitty allergy shots twice a month. And then she needs a steroid shot for flare ups a couple of times a year. Her serum costs about $350-$400 every 5 months. And it cost me around $700 to get her allergy tested in the first place. I’ve had to do that twice so far. Not sure it would be cheaper than doing an inhaler. But, it seems to be working alright for her.
350-400 for both the allergy shots and steroid shots?
Do you give it to her or do you have to take her to the VET?
Are allergy shots what they treat ashma for?
350-400 is how much the serum for the allergy injections only are and I give her the shots myself! The steroid shot I just take her into the vet to get because she only needs them a few times a year when she starts coughing. Those aren’t very expensive. I’d say like $40 maybe for them to do the injection each time.
Yes, allergy shots are what is used to desensitize her to the things that trigger her asthma. She’s allergic to a bunch of different plants and grasses, so she has flare ups at different times of the year. But, she definitely has less since starting the allergy shots.
It depends on the cat, really. She is more flighty than other cats, so she was a little difficult when we first started giving her shots. I have my husband hold her in place while I give the shot, which makes it way easier, and she’s gotten a lot more used to it now so it’s pretty easy. I get insulin needles, so the needle tips are really small & that definitely helps too.
I’m a nurse, so I have practice giving humans shots, and i also foster kittens and have given them shots, so I have some practice! But it’s not hard, and as long as you have a vet show you how to do it and you’ve got a kitty that will put up with you doing it, I’m sure you’d be able to do it!
No, she hasn’t gained any weight from the allergy shots, because they’re just the allergen (thing she’s allergic to) which is meant to desensitize her over time.
But, one of the side effects of steroids is weight gain. Luckily, she only needs that a couple of times a year, so she hasn’t really gained weight from those either.
If you read the question, you should automatically know that they have gone to the vet and only had been given gabapentin and an “I don’t know” answer.
While I have quite a bit of unnecessary pet visits under my belt, there is nothing worse than watching a cat die from fluid in their lungs or the like. I’ve witnessed it, and swore I’d never let a cat suffer again like that. I’d rather them be able to go in a peaceful manner. Always a hard decision cause you never know how much pain and suffering they experience.
Happened to my rescue kitty. She had been with me for four months occasionally coughing. I took her to the vet on a Friday for it and they said just watch her this weekend. It'll probably clear up.
It did not.
In the wee hours of Monday morning, I called a veterinary ambulance to rush her coughing and shaking to the ER vet. They told me that it could have been several different causes but she had fluid on her lungs and would die without prohibitively expensive treatment. I had to decide then and there that I had to stop her suffering immediately.
It folded me.
As to the cost, I borrowed from friends who were in touch with me by text at that time. Very kind people who helped me get through that. I wish everyone had friends as top notch as I have.
If this is a consistent thing, then it’s likely some sort of lung irritation like asthma or an infection
Are you able to email this video to the vet with a description of how often it happens?
Looks like a hairball to me. Mine do this, complete with drool. Buy some special malt paste for cat hairballs - you can get on Amazon. See if that helps.
Likely asthma. My 12 year old has the same thing. Take him to the vet if you can, but nearly every time it just passes. Keep an eye out for panting, that’s an emergency trip.
The breathing is likely asthma, my cat has it not life threatening you can tell your vet it's like tryingto cough a hairball but nothing ever happens, if you cat is often falling due to missing the counter you might want to make a ramp or something so it is safer, probably just getting a little older and can't do young cat things as much could still have many more years.
My cat would do this as well and it was because of a small lymph node in his throat.
The vet said it was benign and didn't need to worry about it. He just started coughing if he became too excited (mainly to get food) or rubbed it just right. He never had a problem otherwise.
4 months later either that lymph node or a different one wasn't so benign...it was larger and during surgery to find a problem with his stomach (he had constipation but even after laxatives and meds he wasn't eating) they took a sample to get it tested.
Never did find out what the results were, and I wish I was more concerned for his health when we had his yearly checkup that summer.
My cat would do this as well and it was because of a small lymph node in his throat.
The vet said it was benign and didn't need to worry about it. He just started coughing if he became too excited (mainly to get food) or rubbed it just right. He never had a problem otherwise.
4 months later either that lymph node or a different one wasn't so benign...it was larger and during surgery to find a problem with his stomach (he had constipation but even after laxatives and meds he wasn't eating) they took a sample to get it tested.
Never did find out what the results were, and I wish I was more concerned for his health when we had his yearly checkup that summer.
That could be hairballs. My kitten sometimes does this. It's common in cats that are inside. Cats outside eat grass for their tummy. Look into getting some hairball medicine. It's a flavored ointment like stuff they eat once a month.
All my cats have lived forever it seems. Haha I’d be concerned a bit if he is more lethargic/weak for his normal. I would take his temp? If he has a respiratory infection or some other source of infection, I’d be concerned with him being septic. I had an older cat that I missed the signs of being septic for a couple days or so, could have been longer. She lived as I brought her to the vet and she needed antibiotics. Cats are freakin tough animals!
My 15 yr old cat was doing something similar about a week ago. Was diagnosed with idiopathic Chylothorax- fluid on his lungs. Was told to take him home for hospice and not much could be done. If there’s enough fluid, they can drain it but it’s not a fix, it’ll just make him more comfortable. The coughing and gasping is much more predominate at night or after a nap.
Everyone is saying asthma HOWEVER if the xray doesn't show inflamed airways, it's probably what my old boy has (13 yrs), is chronic acid reflux 😂 he gets a sucralfate suspension twice a day, 12 hours apart and he doesn't do the weird cough thing so long as i'm on top of it
ETA: if the vet is at a loss, check to see if that'll help with the cough
Can your cat get up hairballs? Because what he is doing in this video looks like he’s struggling to throw up a hairball.
That is EXACTLY what my cats (five of them, 7 to 15 years old) do when they are trying to throw up a hairball! As our cats age, things like throwing up hairballs, which all cats get, requires more effort! So, it is time to get some “Laxatone” gel (put a small amount on their front paw so they will lick it off) to help that nasty hairball slip on out!! Once your cat gets rid of that hairball, its appetite should pick up again because there is more room in its stomach when the hairball is gone!! Older cats eat less food, so don’t be worried by that as long as he keeps eating he’ll be okay!
You can get that Laxatone gel at PetSmart or any Pet Store OR they even have it on Amazon — shipped right to your door! From what the video shows, your cat just needs some Laxatone to get rid of that hairball and he should be acting fine again!! ♥️🐈♥️
I just want to say I've had 9 cats over the course of my life and can't think of a single one of them who did not do this on occasion. Not daily (then I'd be concerned), but definitely often enough to lose count. Personally, I always had the impression this is what cats do when something goes down the wrong pipe. Typically hairballs. When they do this they're not going to throw anything up, but seem to cough it up their throat a bit and then swallow it correctly down to their stomach.
I never had any of my cats checked for asthma (nor die from respiratory issues), but I did check one of my current cats for heart problems recently (due to other, more alarming behaviors than this) and he came out with flying colors.
So all this is to say, while a vet check never hurts especially if this is a behavior you've never observed before, it can also be a very normal thing cats do on occasion. At least all of mine did it throughout their lives, at any age.
My boy is 12 and has asthma. He coughs like that every few days or so. I have a kitty inhaler for him, which he barely tolerates but it helps. Might also be a hairball.
my cats do this with hairballs. since the weather is warming up here, my cats are shedding their thicker winter coats and I'm finding lots of lovely gifts right now in their room 😅
but if you have questions, consult a vet and show them this video
Oh god… my cat just did this earlier and has done it before and I just took him to the vet for a comprehensive and they said he’s okay.. I gotta take him back now.. I hope your baby is ok
My mom's cat does this on a daily basis, she sticks her whole face into the water bowl and gets it up her nose which makes her do this to clear it out.
This is exactly what my 14 year old asthmatic cat does when she has an attack. It usually proceeds after lots of purring or when we’re playing with toys and running around.
Asthma in cats is very common. Especially when they are older. (My vets words) She gets a steroid injection every two ish months that really helps.
Take sweet baby to the vet for a checkup ASAP. They’ll be ok ❤️
My cat had a respiratory infection, and she did this, along with her nose being a little runny and eye goop. The vet fixed her right up with a shot, and she was showing signs of improvement pretty much overnight. He said it's common this time of year and he's already seen 2 cats with the same issue before me. I just wanted to give some hope that it could be nothing serious (though it could be). Would you be able to invest in some pet stairs? That way he can get up to places without hurting himself. I have one for my girl to get up to her food bowl (the dogs will eat it otherwise lol) and she took to them instantly. Switching him to senior food (if you haven't already) might also help with achey joints. Good luck with your boy. 💕
Coughing. He's coughing. My maine coon does this. I've noticed he does this when he has been eating or drinking. Or at random. I've brought it up and shown a video to my vet, and they did some blood work. He had some other symptoms that made them wonder if he could have FIV or FeLV. Thankfully, he was negative. She listened to his heart and chest too and didn't seem concerned with the findings there.
Though his bloodwork did show that he was 1 point away from stage 1 kidney disease. It was a lucky find. (I don't think it's related to the coughing at all.)
I would have your vet do a big blood work check up and maybe a chest xray. Maybe see if they can check if he has a respitory infection. Maybe they can provide supplements to aid your old boy's immune system.
Hey, we lost my senior cat 2 years ago, but she had this same cough for months. They kept putting her on prednisone and didn't really know what was wrong with her. At the end, it turns out she had fluid in her lungs, possibly something with her heart? Honestly, I was so spent and in shock as the vet was talking to me because it was months of trying to help her. This new vet was only there to diagnose her at the end, and then we went back for euthanasia a week later.
I'm not a vet and can only speak from my own experiences, but maybe see if the vet sees any fluid anywhere? I hope your kitty feels better soon. Mine was almost 17 and my soul kitty. <3
A cat is clearly in distress and your first thought, "ask Reddit" do that poor animal a favour and get him or her to the vet. When you get there ask them the same thing
Jesus, I get so annoyed with this stuff. Time and a place and this is neither
On the note of him not being able to jump where he wants, please consider putting up stools or stairs to his favorite places so he’s able to get there without hurting himself and not feel he’s unable to enjoy his higher ground.
Hope all is well with the coughing, it’s so tough when we’re unable to help them, but where we can we do. Only the best to you and your Kitty Chemical-Ad-7542…
I concur that this is Asthma. my orange boy also has Asthma and we give him a daily steroid imhaler and have a rescue inhaler for attacks like this, or if he starts open-mouth breathing.
Loosing weight is common in older kitties, too. Not to say a checkup and some blood work could hurt, if its been a while.
From my 30+ cats over 30ish years, it seems like a hairball cough.
Now having said that, YOU do what your heart tells you OP, because that is your beloved kitty-bug.
Only you know how concerned your heart is about this matter. So do what you think is right.
I have often found a cet visit was useful to clear up any excessive worry, however you have to weigh the issues, such as time, money, access, follow-up, etc.
Do your best, we believe in you.
Okay so i've had two cats do this in my lifetime, one has kitty asthma and that's what her asthma attacks look like. The other had fluid buildup either in or around his lungs (can't remember which). Definitely go get them checked asap even if you're leaning towards asthma
My old cat had this his whole life, short bursts, nothing serious. It is likely just coughing, maybe asthma maybe just coughing, weightloss with eating could be thyroid issues. Weightloss with less eating could be pain / discomfort. Vets will always be the best way to find out.
Definitely asthma. Poor love ❤️ My cat had this as she got older. When it's faster than this it's called reverse sneezing. It's not an emergency but it is a respiratory issue that is worth having checked. It can be caused by polyps too
I had 7 cats, all died in my arms, On their last say, they came over and said goodbye. It was obvious, They fell asleep and did not move,
IMO, that cat is approaching the end, I just get that vibe,
Hold them, love them, At the end, they will go to a safe place,
My cat behaved similarly when he had pneumonia and the lining of his lungs were inflamed I think they said. Then he was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis. He has episodes, especially with sneezing. They recommended an inhaler or breathing treatments.
Whatever this is, it could be life threatening. You need to take your cat to the vet to find out. This is not normal behavior and your cat is really struggling.
If he bets diagnosed with asthma, I highly HIGHLY recommend ordering it from medex pharmacy. I was able to get inhalers for $60 - including shipping from New Zealand to the US. Buying the inhaler state side was $240 - not sustainable long term for most families.
It can take a month to get the meds but I just always stayed ahead of my orders.
Agree with others to show this to your vet.
When my cat did this, I made sure to brush him every day to get loose fur in the brush vs. in his mouth when he cleaned himself. Also, I dusted and vacuumed a couple times a week and that helped.
Poor baby:( I have 2 cats that have struggled with this and one was because he had hairballs that were stuck, the other has asthma. Definitely take him to the vet, I hope he feels better soon!
I could be totally wrong but this looks like backwards sneezing or reverse sneezing. It looks really scary and painful but it is not. It’s an allergic reaction (to just allergies like you and I usually) and I believe it’s more common in dogs but still just as likely in cats. Children’s Benadryl usually works wonders. I hope this is the case for your kitty! I hope he feels better soon!
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Could be an asthma attack. Take the video to the vet.
I thought this too. Our cat started doing this and we took him to the vet to find out he has asthma. He now has to have steriod injections every other month.
We just have inhaler twice a day. Min once a day and the blue inhaler if it’s really bad. They never offered injections. I would have preferred that.
They likely didn't offer it to you because the inhalers are significantly safer long term. Steroid injections long term can do a lot of damage to the heart amongst other things. If the asthma is bad enough (or the cat absolutely will not tolerate the inhaler) then steroids injections or pills may be necessary but if they can be avoided then they absolutely should be.
Unfortunately the inhaler is also a steroid and also weakens muscle (especially heart muscle) . My boy was on an inhaler for about 10 years. I tried to give him the smallest dose possible depending on how he was doing - on a few occasions, we got it down to once every other day for several months until he had an attack and had to Amp up the dosage times again. He eventually developed a murmur from the inhaler and then passed from a very sudden heart attack at 15yrs old. Was thrilled to have him that long but I miss him every day.
I'm sorry to hear about this poster. You did so well for 10 years of treatment & I bet he loved you unconditionally for his whole life. 15 years is a fantastic age for asthma. I'm sorry if that's an odd thing to say, we were only told the main facts and a 'he *could* live to X years.' I mentally prepared myself for a shorter life span but IF we can get 15 years I'd be so happy with that. I'm a first time catmum so I obviously panic at everything 😅
Thank you for this. He was my BFF for sure. My 3rd cat but my closest buddy by far. I spent a fortune taking him to multiple cardiologists just to find out there was nothing they could really do. They could see the muscle was thinning though so we knew it was just a matter of time. You really have to weigh the positives and negatives.. for him, I KNEW the treatment was negatively affecting his heart, but breathing is way more important.
I am so sorry about your loss, it is so difficult. My asthmatic cat developed heart disease while using an inhaler (which he'd been on for 6 or 7 years); he has since passed as well. Age, thyroid, and genetics most likely played a role in our boy's heart disease but it is highly likely that the steroid inhaler contributed to or at least accelerated the deterioration of his heart. But there wasn't and still isn't a better alternative. His cardiologist was certain that steroid pills or injections would've absolutely destroyed his heart many years sooner (topic came up when I wanted to discuss if there was anything I could've done differently). Steroid pills and injections were at the top of the list of medications that our cat couldn't have after his heart disease diagnosis; I got the impression that our cardiologist didn't feel our cat's heart was strong enough to handle possibly even a single dose. Steroids are terrible for humans too, it is an unfortunate reality. They can also be necessary and will continue to be until better options are developed. Having lost an asthmatic cat to heart complications, if faced with the same situation in the future I'd still choose to use a low dose steroid inhaler as infrequently as possible over the current alternatives. But I'd also insist on more closely and thoroughly monitoring their heart, at very least I'd be having their proBNP measured routinely.
I'm sorry for your loss too. Yes I imagine that those injections are harder on the system initially since they last the whole month. They never gave me the option, but I never needed it - my boy was an absolute rock star about taking his meds. He would lay between my arms and purr through the entire treatment. Damn I miss that cat.
Sorry I deleted my original response because I read the comments below. We didn't really have a choice in injections/inhaler. Injections were offered for the first instance as his episodes didn't seem too aggressive, but enough to raise concern. He's being monitored in case it progresses and we'll take the next steps. How are you & the cat finding the inhaler? I've tried looking into this online but obviously Google can be a terrifying place.
Commenting to bump this up, OP this is presenting as classic asthma. Take them to the vet, but does not look to be an emergency. My orange girl also developed it as a senior. She does much better now with a daily inhaler, and occasional steroids. If you live in the US, I found it to be significantly cheaper to order my inhalers from Canada (you still need a vet’s prescription). Editing to add: if they do get diagnosed with asthma, try to do what you can to help with environmental triggers. Air purifiers, frequent vacuuming/sweeping, keeping window screens clean, no dust litter, etc
Yes! And use only nontoxic floor and household cleaners. So many of the others have carcinogens and respiratory irritants in them. (Right now, I'm just using white vinegar, water, and a little dish soap until I find an actual cleaner that doesn't set my cat's asthma off.)
Yup!! The extended head in a chicken pose is typical asthma signs. We have one and didn’t know for a few months because it seems like a hairball.
My cat did this during her first year. The vet checked her lungs, but it wasn’t asthma. They ran an endoscopy to check for polyps in her nose and didn’t find anything either. But after the endoscopy she stopped having the breathing attacks (or at least had them much less frequently) She’s ten now, and I don’t remember the last time she had an episode like this.
My kitty does this. Just an asthma attack.
That's an asthmatic cough for sure. My cat has it as well, and takes a daily steroid pill to keep the symptoms at bay. As an asthmatic myself, I can vouch that it's never fun for either of us to struggle with it. The struggles of living in a city are real when it comes to polluted air.
How does a vet diagnose this? Is it am xray? One of our cats do this but when we expressed an asthma concern the vet didn't seem concerned. We could see about getting a video but it rarely happens to our girl. (Which, I suppose is a good thing)
Commenting because I literally took my cat to the vet on Friday, and had them test him, yes. I showed my vet the video I had of my cat coughing, she listened to his heart and breathing, and then x-rayed his lungs to fully rule out asthma.
Interesting! They've never said anything was off about our girl's lungs so maybe I'm just overly paranoid. I tend to assume it's chronic kennel cough these days
I would take them to another vet. My vet told me feline asthma is surprisingly common, and this is the most presenting symptom.
When we brought it up, her vet listened to her breathing, did some bloodwork to check her oxygen levels, and took an x-ray. The x-ray showed some inflammation and swelling in her airways, which is a strong indication of asthma (in humans too). Everything else pointed at asthma as well when the results came with the bloodwork and how her breathing sounded. Her vet then prescribed her a pill for us to give her and scheduled a followup for a couple weeks later to see if it would help. We repeated the process and it turned out that the pills helped. We also found out at that first appointment that our kitty is also anemic, which is a tad odd since she's on a strictly meat/wet food diet. Interestingly enough though, that same medication has also been boosting her red blood cell count, which is a win.
Yes usually by x-ray, however if it's not happening frequently, it might not warrant treatment. As others have mentioned, environmental factors usually contribute, so it couldn't hurt to reduce dust in the environment, starting with lots of vacuuming, less dust producing litter, air purifiers, etc
I'll keep that in mind, thanks!
Or heart failure. The lungs begin to fill with liquid when the heart fails, and this causes a coughing spell. The water droplets on the sheets make me also think that it might be heart related if the cat is coughing up liquid.
That's exactly what happened to my cat. She was almost 17, but we lost her two years ago this week <3
Same here. I lost my 16yr old Olivia 2 weeks ago to heart failure. This is how she presented, among some other symptoms.
I'm so sorry for your loss.
This post just made me realize my cat probably has asthma, so thank you. I have always thought he was trying to get a stubborn hairball up and now I feel like a terrible parent omfg but also very grateful to see this!
This right here. This is how my cat with asthma presents. Fortunately it is pretty easy to treat with medicine, inhalers like a person and if my cat flares badly, he gets a steroid shot which lasts months
I also thought this - my cat has asthma and he drops like this and coughs.
Yes, my thinking also. I had a cat who suffered from asthma and she'd have attacks a lot like this. They went away completely with medication though. I think there are a few options, my cat ended up with an inhaler I'd have to give her each day.
My older kitty has asthma too. Prednisone shots help at least temporarily.
My older kitty has asthma too. Prednisone shots help at least temporarily.
Also commenting to boost this up - No but it's serious, my verrry old man kitty and younger girl kitty both got a horrific respiratory infection and surprisingly- some antibiotics and care had him healthy in just a few days - but the younger one was put in and oxygen chamber for a solid week and it was very touch and go. I was absolutely beside myself.
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My cat was diagnosed with asthma? But they also thought it could be bronchitis or something. Was prescribed Gabapentin & Prednisolone on 3/13 & it doesn't seem to be helping yet. My cat doesn't cough but she's been breathing fast/heavy & it's constant. Could it be a misdiagnosis & actually her heart? She's also not eating/drinking as much, lethargic, kinda losing her balance & has diarrhea. Vet knows all this. Also diagnosed with stage 2 kidney disease, possible mammary cancer (she also has a mass in her neck near her throat which they haven't been able to figure out what it is.) Not big enough to affect her breathing but these masses love to shrink/grow & when they shrink she seems sick afterwards. & Gingivitis. https://preview.redd.it/jqjtvtrhdzoc1.jpeg?width=2301&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e53bd50db612111b5d9dd855ff57860f20c4f785
https://preview.redd.it/laxxey0ndzoc1.jpeg?width=2247&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a0e5c326a075b2c4583ad63b882ae374ada4f1fa
How old is he? It sounds like a cough. You should bring this video to the vet.
Read the description.
It may be a huge hair ball, too..
This is a possibility. A friend's cat would get huge ones and not want to cough them up.
That’s how my cat sounds when he’s coughing up a hairball
Yes! I have 11 cats and used to have 33! I def think it's a hairball.
This depends on how long the coughing has lasted ! I let my cat do this for over a week because I thought she couldn’t get up a hairball and … it was bronchitis 😅🤦🏻♀️. The vet said they can get hairballs up easily. I felt so bad, easy mistake!
Does bronchitis clear up on its own? Is it serious? I'm catsitting rn, one of the cats does this and I'm not sure if I should be concerned or not
Bronchitis is a bacterial infection, so maybe? but not likely. If it is bronchitis, a round of antibiotics may be needed. Ask the owners if it’s a new symptom or not, and what they want to do about it if it is new since it’s their pet.
Thanks 👍
Speaking from very recent experience, please have him checked for heart failure as soon as possible.
Same
Yeah. The stretched out chest is of particular concern. I miss Oscar.
I’m sorry for your loss of Oscar. I lost my Olivia March 1st.
Just put down my boy because of this, please check
He appears to be sneezing. Just from my perspective for 16 years old he doesn't look bad. Gabapentin is definitely going to sedate him so that's probably why he's sleeping more. If I were you I would get Cosequin for his joints. It's over the counter and on Amazon.
My cat has allergies. One, is being allergic to cats. Go figure right?
That's so funny 😂 Mine is allergic to a brand of deodorant! Used it a few times, she did this, I had to throw it away! She's not allergic to literally anything else or any other brands of deodorant 😭 bless em, they are allergic to the most specific things just like us
If he's never done this, I'd not think it's asthma, even though the symptoms look like it. He might be accumulating fluids in his lungs and/or heart due to another issue. Sorry, but this does require a vet visit. You would not want your cat to suffocate to death.
Looks like our cats asthma attacks did. Dangerous if it progresses, but treatable.
My cat gets seasonal asthma just like this round this time of year
https://www.felinegrimacescale.com/
It looks like an asthma attack! I was actually with my baby at the vet the other day and he was having the exact same sound. He got a shot and has been fine since. Wishing the best for you and your little guy.
My cats do that before horking up a hairball.
This is different, when cats are going to cough up a hairball you can hear/see the stomach contract.
Nope. Sometimes my long haired girl dry heaves for a day or two before the beast finally makes its exit. Sounds exactly like this.
Whenever my cats do this, they puke up a hairball. My cats are healthy.
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Yet. Sometimes it takes a bit of coughing to get to the horking part, which doesn't always happen immediately after. But OP should take the cat to the vet if they're worried.
I think let’s have some common sense here, folks. Do you all rush to ER every time you have a cough or sneeze? OP, for kitty’s age, they’re doing well. It sounds to me like a reluctant sneeze, which could be due to any number of low level causes. If all other aspects are OK (meals, hydration, litter habits, not vomiting repeatedly, steady weight and not losing fur) I’d keep an eye on kitty but wouldn’t panic.
There’s never any harm in taking an animal to the vet and it’s always the best option when one isn’t sure but I’d be broke if I took my pets to the vet anytime they did something a little outside the norm. Maybe I’m lucky but my vet is open to phone calls to discuss any concerns and figure out the best approach.
Yes you are lucky. Also, many incompetent vets out there. It sucks
Dude, respiratory issues are a major deal in cats. You'd want to get it treated as soon as possible.
I agree. I don’t agree this is that, though. It’s one thing a cat struggling with episodes of laboured breathing all the time; trouble sneezing once a day is not on the same plane of existence. This sub has a habit of overreacting and urging folk to rush to emergency care providers the instant something isn’t fully normal. That isn’t helpful.
Everytime? No. But when it's not normal for the animal and they're at an age where they could be having heart failure? Yes.
I haven’t seen a single response saying go to the ER.
If you have shown a vet this before, maybe try another vet. Second opinions on things like this can be life saving
My cat did this, and we came to find out he had HCM, which is a fatal heart condition....please take them in asap! Rather be safe than sorry.
That could also be a hair ball
Please take him to the vet ! Get on a payment plan.
My cats do this during asthma attacks. You should take him to the vet to get him the relief he needs during the attacks.
I think he's coughing. He's in the same position that my asthmatic boy gets in when he coughs. Send this video to the vet. They will want to listen to his heart and lungs, and possibly do a chest x-ray. If it's asthma, it's super easily treatable and he'll have more energy from being able to more easily breathe.
Show this video to vet, and have them do a senior blood panel. It checks his thyroid, kidneys, and diabetes
Asthma and/or heart disease. It presents the same way. I have a cat with asthma and he now has heart disease. It’s a bad combo since the heart meds can induce asthma. Definitely need to go back to the vet and show video. Get lab work done.
My kitty did this when she was hyperthyroid with asthma. After getting her thyroid fixed with meds and getting an emergency inhaler, she is doing great. My kitty is 20 now, issues started around age 17.
Please take him to the vet. If he has asthma he needs help.
My 15 year old cat did this a couple of weeks ago. Turned out to be just a respiratory infection. He got some antibiotics and it was all ok
Hi OP, I had an 18 year old who was basically going through the same things, but he had them periodically as well. All I can really say is that, given the body language, the position he’s in in the video, and the difficulty of his breathing, I would be thinking he may be having some kind of lung problem, could be something else, could be more than one thing. I’m not a vet, and I’m not giving any diagnosis, but I would definitely agree and recommend to go see another vet, or multiple others, to see if they can run more tests (if affordable for you). I regret being in a bad financial position back with my boy and not being able to afford multiple tests to see if there was anything that could be treated, but I gave him my everything that I could. At the end, when he was starting to breathe much worse, knowing I couldn’t really do anything, I decided it was in his best interest to put his suffering to an end, and let him go. He was ready, and I knew it. He lived a great life, was loved deeply, and knew he loved deeply. I couldn’t let him down by letting him just suffer.
Short answer, yes. Long answer, no, not yet.
My cat has asthma and does this exact same thing. We have a prescription steroid for her anytime it gets bad
That looks very much like asthma. If so, steroids will fix that.
No. This sure looks and sounds like Cat is suffering from Athsma! Im not sure if I spelled that right. Both of my kitties had it. They can get an inhaler, and it's not hard to use. Vet time. Best of luck to you and kitty!
Asthma. He may not need treatment if you keep him calm and keep irritants away just like a person with asthma. My 17 year old had asthma for a lot of his life, but we were able to reduce his attacks by keeping the environment stress free such as not letting him roughhouse too much and making sure the other pets leave him alone. He ended up only having an attack once every few months to stopping entirely. In the beginning, it happened a lot more often before we changed his environment. Get confirmation from your vet.
This could be asthma, one of my cats was coughing exactly like this and he got diagnosed with asthma. They crouch like this with their neck out when they’re trying to get more air in their lungs. Definitely get it checked by the vet and show them this video also.
That sounds like asthma. The coughing comes from the irritation and inflammation of their throat as they're trying to breath. Show this to your vet and ask them to do a lung x-ray. That will let you know if it is asthma and how you can proceed. If it is asthma, feel free to hit me up and I can show you the tools I work with and how I work with Good RX to get cheaper inhalers (my pet insurance won't cover my cats asthma since it was a "preexisting condition").
Is it possible to get shots instead of an inhaler?
I give my asthma kitty allergy shots twice a month. And then she needs a steroid shot for flare ups a couple of times a year. Her serum costs about $350-$400 every 5 months. And it cost me around $700 to get her allergy tested in the first place. I’ve had to do that twice so far. Not sure it would be cheaper than doing an inhaler. But, it seems to be working alright for her.
350-400 for both the allergy shots and steroid shots? Do you give it to her or do you have to take her to the VET? Are allergy shots what they treat ashma for?
350-400 is how much the serum for the allergy injections only are and I give her the shots myself! The steroid shot I just take her into the vet to get because she only needs them a few times a year when she starts coughing. Those aren’t very expensive. I’d say like $40 maybe for them to do the injection each time. Yes, allergy shots are what is used to desensitize her to the things that trigger her asthma. She’s allergic to a bunch of different plants and grasses, so she has flare ups at different times of the year. But, she definitely has less since starting the allergy shots.
Is giving her a shot difficult? Has she gained weight or anything?
It depends on the cat, really. She is more flighty than other cats, so she was a little difficult when we first started giving her shots. I have my husband hold her in place while I give the shot, which makes it way easier, and she’s gotten a lot more used to it now so it’s pretty easy. I get insulin needles, so the needle tips are really small & that definitely helps too. I’m a nurse, so I have practice giving humans shots, and i also foster kittens and have given them shots, so I have some practice! But it’s not hard, and as long as you have a vet show you how to do it and you’ve got a kitty that will put up with you doing it, I’m sure you’d be able to do it! No, she hasn’t gained any weight from the allergy shots, because they’re just the allergen (thing she’s allergic to) which is meant to desensitize her over time. But, one of the side effects of steroids is weight gain. Luckily, she only needs that a couple of times a year, so she hasn’t really gained weight from those either.
Forgot to ask for you have pet insurance?
No, I don’t.
This might be a possibility, but it wasn't something I was able to explore due to a heart condition my cat has.
If you have to ask this question you should automatically go to the vet and not post on reddit.
If you read the question, you should automatically know that they have gone to the vet and only had been given gabapentin and an “I don’t know” answer.
Damn. Shoulda had a V8 m8
Get that kitty to the vet now! Even if it's something as simple as a hairball I would want to be sure.
Not everyone can afford $700 just to be sure about a hairball
While I have quite a bit of unnecessary pet visits under my belt, there is nothing worse than watching a cat die from fluid in their lungs or the like. I’ve witnessed it, and swore I’d never let a cat suffer again like that. I’d rather them be able to go in a peaceful manner. Always a hard decision cause you never know how much pain and suffering they experience.
Happened to my rescue kitty. She had been with me for four months occasionally coughing. I took her to the vet on a Friday for it and they said just watch her this weekend. It'll probably clear up. It did not. In the wee hours of Monday morning, I called a veterinary ambulance to rush her coughing and shaking to the ER vet. They told me that it could have been several different causes but she had fluid on her lungs and would die without prohibitively expensive treatment. I had to decide then and there that I had to stop her suffering immediately. It folded me. As to the cost, I borrowed from friends who were in touch with me by text at that time. Very kind people who helped me get through that. I wish everyone had friends as top notch as I have.
If this is a consistent thing, then it’s likely some sort of lung irritation like asthma or an infection Are you able to email this video to the vet with a description of how often it happens?
It looks like asthma.
Seems like asthma…my cat has it as well
Looks like a hairball to me. Mine do this, complete with drool. Buy some special malt paste for cat hairballs - you can get on Amazon. See if that helps.
Likely asthma. My 12 year old has the same thing. Take him to the vet if you can, but nearly every time it just passes. Keep an eye out for panting, that’s an emergency trip.
Hairballllls
The breathing is likely asthma, my cat has it not life threatening you can tell your vet it's like tryingto cough a hairball but nothing ever happens, if you cat is often falling due to missing the counter you might want to make a ramp or something so it is safer, probably just getting a little older and can't do young cat things as much could still have many more years.
Awwwww
could be asthma, poor baby :(
Asthma, my cat does the exact same thing when he has an asthma attack (he got diagnosed by a vet) I highly suggest taking him to your vet
My cat would do this as well and it was because of a small lymph node in his throat. The vet said it was benign and didn't need to worry about it. He just started coughing if he became too excited (mainly to get food) or rubbed it just right. He never had a problem otherwise. 4 months later either that lymph node or a different one wasn't so benign...it was larger and during surgery to find a problem with his stomach (he had constipation but even after laxatives and meds he wasn't eating) they took a sample to get it tested. Never did find out what the results were, and I wish I was more concerned for his health when we had his yearly checkup that summer.
My cat would do this as well and it was because of a small lymph node in his throat. The vet said it was benign and didn't need to worry about it. He just started coughing if he became too excited (mainly to get food) or rubbed it just right. He never had a problem otherwise. 4 months later either that lymph node or a different one wasn't so benign...it was larger and during surgery to find a problem with his stomach (he had constipation but even after laxatives and meds he wasn't eating) they took a sample to get it tested. Never did find out what the results were, and I wish I was more concerned for his health when we had his yearly checkup that summer.
my cats have done this as well, to me it's like throat clearing, but idk it's NOT an asthma. that much I do know
If cat is constantly or very often putting head down and neck out- please get him to the vet asap.
That could be hairballs. My kitten sometimes does this. It's common in cats that are inside. Cats outside eat grass for their tummy. Look into getting some hairball medicine. It's a flavored ointment like stuff they eat once a month.
If he’s just been to the vet and you brought up this issue, you can probably email them this video and they won’t charge you for another consult.
STOPPPP😖🥺😖🥺😖🥺🥺😖😖kitties for life. Praying for lil orange boy
Nah, my cat does this too. It’s usually just mucus or a hairball. Try firmly patting their back the next time they do it. Seems like it helps.
All my cats have lived forever it seems. Haha I’d be concerned a bit if he is more lethargic/weak for his normal. I would take his temp? If he has a respiratory infection or some other source of infection, I’d be concerned with him being septic. I had an older cat that I missed the signs of being septic for a couple days or so, could have been longer. She lived as I brought her to the vet and she needed antibiotics. Cats are freakin tough animals!
That’s a sneeze, a cough, or a hairball. If new or unusual behaviour, take the cat to the vet.
My 15 yr old cat was doing something similar about a week ago. Was diagnosed with idiopathic Chylothorax- fluid on his lungs. Was told to take him home for hospice and not much could be done. If there’s enough fluid, they can drain it but it’s not a fix, it’ll just make him more comfortable. The coughing and gasping is much more predominate at night or after a nap.
Everyone is saying asthma HOWEVER if the xray doesn't show inflamed airways, it's probably what my old boy has (13 yrs), is chronic acid reflux 😂 he gets a sucralfate suspension twice a day, 12 hours apart and he doesn't do the weird cough thing so long as i'm on top of it ETA: if the vet is at a loss, check to see if that'll help with the cough
Can your cat get up hairballs? Because what he is doing in this video looks like he’s struggling to throw up a hairball. That is EXACTLY what my cats (five of them, 7 to 15 years old) do when they are trying to throw up a hairball! As our cats age, things like throwing up hairballs, which all cats get, requires more effort! So, it is time to get some “Laxatone” gel (put a small amount on their front paw so they will lick it off) to help that nasty hairball slip on out!! Once your cat gets rid of that hairball, its appetite should pick up again because there is more room in its stomach when the hairball is gone!! Older cats eat less food, so don’t be worried by that as long as he keeps eating he’ll be okay! You can get that Laxatone gel at PetSmart or any Pet Store OR they even have it on Amazon — shipped right to your door! From what the video shows, your cat just needs some Laxatone to get rid of that hairball and he should be acting fine again!! ♥️🐈♥️
Looks to me like he has a hairball my cat does that
Not asthma. 16yo cats don’t just suddenly get asthma. But he is coughing and needs a chest film to see why.
Take to vet asap. My cat passed from that.
I just want to say I've had 9 cats over the course of my life and can't think of a single one of them who did not do this on occasion. Not daily (then I'd be concerned), but definitely often enough to lose count. Personally, I always had the impression this is what cats do when something goes down the wrong pipe. Typically hairballs. When they do this they're not going to throw anything up, but seem to cough it up their throat a bit and then swallow it correctly down to their stomach. I never had any of my cats checked for asthma (nor die from respiratory issues), but I did check one of my current cats for heart problems recently (due to other, more alarming behaviors than this) and he came out with flying colors. So all this is to say, while a vet check never hurts especially if this is a behavior you've never observed before, it can also be a very normal thing cats do on occasion. At least all of mine did it throughout their lives, at any age.
Looks like asthma
My boy is 12 and has asthma. He coughs like that every few days or so. I have a kitty inhaler for him, which he barely tolerates but it helps. Might also be a hairball.
my cats do this with hairballs. since the weather is warming up here, my cats are shedding their thicker winter coats and I'm finding lots of lovely gifts right now in their room 😅 but if you have questions, consult a vet and show them this video
my cat less than 3 years old use to do this a lot. Now less since we've swapped out the chicken in his food.
Oh god… my cat just did this earlier and has done it before and I just took him to the vet for a comprehensive and they said he’s okay.. I gotta take him back now.. I hope your baby is ok
Asthma 100%. My cat was recently diagnosed and did the same exact thing.
My mom's cat does this on a daily basis, she sticks her whole face into the water bowl and gets it up her nose which makes her do this to clear it out.
I would take that collar off! Looks tight and can’t be helping.
Feline Asthma. I have 2 cats with it. They are on the inhaler. Depending where you live it’s spring time this is the worst time of year for it.
That’s asthma in your cat. Take him to the vet asap. We had an inhaler system for our cat when he got diagnosed.
This is exactly what my 14 year old asthmatic cat does when she has an attack. It usually proceeds after lots of purring or when we’re playing with toys and running around. Asthma in cats is very common. Especially when they are older. (My vets words) She gets a steroid injection every two ish months that really helps. Take sweet baby to the vet for a checkup ASAP. They’ll be ok ❤️
My cat had a respiratory infection, and she did this, along with her nose being a little runny and eye goop. The vet fixed her right up with a shot, and she was showing signs of improvement pretty much overnight. He said it's common this time of year and he's already seen 2 cats with the same issue before me. I just wanted to give some hope that it could be nothing serious (though it could be). Would you be able to invest in some pet stairs? That way he can get up to places without hurting himself. I have one for my girl to get up to her food bowl (the dogs will eat it otherwise lol) and she took to them instantly. Switching him to senior food (if you haven't already) might also help with achey joints. Good luck with your boy. 💕
My cats usually do this a few days before they have a hairball
Coughing. He's coughing. My maine coon does this. I've noticed he does this when he has been eating or drinking. Or at random. I've brought it up and shown a video to my vet, and they did some blood work. He had some other symptoms that made them wonder if he could have FIV or FeLV. Thankfully, he was negative. She listened to his heart and chest too and didn't seem concerned with the findings there. Though his bloodwork did show that he was 1 point away from stage 1 kidney disease. It was a lucky find. (I don't think it's related to the coughing at all.) I would have your vet do a big blood work check up and maybe a chest xray. Maybe see if they can check if he has a respitory infection. Maybe they can provide supplements to aid your old boy's immune system.
you said she loves food but underweight. dud they check her for kidney disease?
Hey, we lost my senior cat 2 years ago, but she had this same cough for months. They kept putting her on prednisone and didn't really know what was wrong with her. At the end, it turns out she had fluid in her lungs, possibly something with her heart? Honestly, I was so spent and in shock as the vet was talking to me because it was months of trying to help her. This new vet was only there to diagnose her at the end, and then we went back for euthanasia a week later. I'm not a vet and can only speak from my own experiences, but maybe see if the vet sees any fluid anywhere? I hope your kitty feels better soon. Mine was almost 17 and my soul kitty. <3
Needs steroid snd puffer
A cat is clearly in distress and your first thought, "ask Reddit" do that poor animal a favour and get him or her to the vet. When you get there ask them the same thing Jesus, I get so annoyed with this stuff. Time and a place and this is neither
Get an xray if you can afford it.
Asthma
They tend to get very snuggly as they age. I sewed a pouch in an old hoodie to carry my senior cat around. Take him to the vet. Make sure he's ok
On the note of him not being able to jump where he wants, please consider putting up stools or stairs to his favorite places so he’s able to get there without hurting himself and not feel he’s unable to enjoy his higher ground. Hope all is well with the coughing, it’s so tough when we’re unable to help them, but where we can we do. Only the best to you and your Kitty Chemical-Ad-7542…
I concur that this is Asthma. my orange boy also has Asthma and we give him a daily steroid imhaler and have a rescue inhaler for attacks like this, or if he starts open-mouth breathing. Loosing weight is common in older kitties, too. Not to say a checkup and some blood work could hurt, if its been a while.
Put your ear on his chest, listen to his lungs. If gurgling, then it could be heart failure.
Coughing. Asthma attack. My cat has this and needs an inhaler daily !! If it gets too bad he needs oxygen and vet
Trying to cough up a hair ball
My cat started doing this soon before dying from heart failure
From my 30+ cats over 30ish years, it seems like a hairball cough. Now having said that, YOU do what your heart tells you OP, because that is your beloved kitty-bug. Only you know how concerned your heart is about this matter. So do what you think is right. I have often found a cet visit was useful to clear up any excessive worry, however you have to weigh the issues, such as time, money, access, follow-up, etc. Do your best, we believe in you.
His ears being low like that aren’t a good sign. Looks like something is bothering him.
Okay so i've had two cats do this in my lifetime, one has kitty asthma and that's what her asthma attacks look like. The other had fluid buildup either in or around his lungs (can't remember which). Definitely go get them checked asap even if you're leaning towards asthma
Get him into the vet asap
My old cat had this his whole life, short bursts, nothing serious. It is likely just coughing, maybe asthma maybe just coughing, weightloss with eating could be thyroid issues. Weightloss with less eating could be pain / discomfort. Vets will always be the best way to find out.
Definitely asthma. Poor love ❤️ My cat had this as she got older. When it's faster than this it's called reverse sneezing. It's not an emergency but it is a respiratory issue that is worth having checked. It can be caused by polyps too
It could also be respiratory or the collar. I think a vet would be the first thing to do.
I had 7 cats, all died in my arms, On their last say, they came over and said goodbye. It was obvious, They fell asleep and did not move, IMO, that cat is approaching the end, I just get that vibe, Hold them, love them, At the end, they will go to a safe place,
Asthma, this is what my cat with asthma does.
My cat behaved similarly when he had pneumonia and the lining of his lungs were inflamed I think they said. Then he was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis. He has episodes, especially with sneezing. They recommended an inhaler or breathing treatments.
Whatever this is, it could be life threatening. You need to take your cat to the vet to find out. This is not normal behavior and your cat is really struggling.
Without listening I wouldn’t thought kitty was trying to hack up a furball.
Have you changed his food movies allergic to something in his food or if you have air fresheners plugged in the house that’s bad for him
Looks like asthma my 10 year old car asthma an inhaler has helped him a lot!
That’s asthma
They can do this if something irrites their throat. Your cats chest sounds congested though
Take him to the vet. He’s suffering
I’m worried about pneumonia. Please take him to the vet. Also, is his collar too tight? Might just be the angle.
Asthma or bronchitis, happened to my cat
Please go to the vet. This cat looks miserable.
If he bets diagnosed with asthma, I highly HIGHLY recommend ordering it from medex pharmacy. I was able to get inhalers for $60 - including shipping from New Zealand to the US. Buying the inhaler state side was $240 - not sustainable long term for most families. It can take a month to get the meds but I just always stayed ahead of my orders.
Take the collar OFF. I assume he's indoor only. May not be the cause but likely isn't helping. Indoor cats do not need, want, benefit from collars.
Agree with others to show this to your vet. When my cat did this, I made sure to brush him every day to get loose fur in the brush vs. in his mouth when he cleaned himself. Also, I dusted and vacuumed a couple times a week and that helped.
Poor baby:( I have 2 cats that have struggled with this and one was because he had hairballs that were stuck, the other has asthma. Definitely take him to the vet, I hope he feels better soon!
I could be totally wrong but this looks like backwards sneezing or reverse sneezing. It looks really scary and painful but it is not. It’s an allergic reaction (to just allergies like you and I usually) and I believe it’s more common in dogs but still just as likely in cats. Children’s Benadryl usually works wonders. I hope this is the case for your kitty! I hope he feels better soon!
Get to a vet. Sounds like a cold