Cat symptoms.. thinking it's about hairballs
Question:
Ok, for some who read all posts to this ng, all the time, I have made it clear that I don’t know much about cats. I have 2 six month old kittens/almost cats, I guess. The one, frequently does this sort of (HOW on earth to describe this?) whoofing, choking sort of thing. The only other time I ever heard that noise was when the OTHER one vomited right after. The kitty in question never vomits, just makes these weird noises that make me nervous for her. I am pretty smart (I think!) and think for sure this is about hair balls. When she does it, I give her another dose of the hairball remedy stuff from a tube. That does seem to make the huffing and puffing go away for a few days. NOT wanting to sound "materialistic" or cheap, but, being a nurse, and knowing how sometimes the doc knows no more than you, I honestly hate to take her to the vet unless I think there IS a problem! (As an aside, this kitty was in my life two days when I took them both to the vet for a "well baby" check up, or whatever cat people call it. She had a high temp and was admitted. She was in six days on IV antibiotics, had a dozen tests. $600 dollars later, her dx was "fever of unknown etiology.")n THAT’s another story, but odd how our first days were about my worrying about a cat a barely knew, but honestly also gave me some "quality time" with the other. Lia (the "whoofer") came home and eventually also got into life here! I guess I am mentiioning that only to say that, I know many "medical" things are not so well defined either. Maybe this is just hairball coughing and I just don’t recognize that sound? The cat is active, lively and always surprising me. She was at first not so agile, but when I came home from a business trip last week, she demonstrated she’d learned to climb to many new heights! She looks and acts like a healthy cat. But she "whoofs" some. Can someone tell me if I am being lacksidaisical in not taking her to the vet? I will if I should, and will pay what I must. Just I keep thinking maybe this is about my being inexperienced. Side note, the OTHER cat (Jack, also a female), did that same huffing noise yesterday. First time I’d heard that from her (except for the time she puked!). I know this is long and disjointed, but guess I am asking. What does trying to cough up a hairball sound like? And should I worry if they otherwise seem JUST fine and active and happy? (By the way, they are sisters and have what seems to me to be long hair, but was told by the shelter where I got them they are "medium" hair. And I do groom/brush them a couple times a week.) PattyC
Response:
Patty, Coughing is a sign of many possibilities, some of which are not serious, some of which are very serious. Roundworms for example; after the eggs are swallowed they pass into the intestine, hatch into larvae, migrate through the liver, enter the lungs where they are coughed up and swallowed and return to the small intestine to develop into adults where the cycle starts again. Coughing is also a symptom of Heartworms, Histo, Toxo, Lung Parasites, and if you live in the Great Lakes region, Ohio, and Mississippi River valleys, Blastomycosis is also a differential. There are at least 25 more possibilities I can think of right off the top of my head some of which could be very serious if not treated promptly. A quick once over by a vet and a fecal exam is probably the smart play. The best strategy for dealing with cats is rule out the more serious possibilities *first*. They’re masters at the art of concealment – hiding illnesses very well. Hopefully, it may just be a hair ball, but if it isn’t, most potentially serious conditions can be cured or at the very least, controlled, by early detection and prompt treatment. For enormous peace of mind, you may want to consider Pet Health insurance. The premiums for cats at your cats age are about $100 a year – depending on your area. The first company pays 100% of the vet/hospital bill including all tests and medication but requires a $40 deductible per visit. The second company has a $200 deductible per year but pays only 80% of the bill (including tests, meds, etc.). They both offer preventative health packages. http://www.veterinarypetinsurance.com/vpi_user/ http://www.premierpetinsurance.com/orderprocess/quote.asp The peace of mind of knowing your cats will always receive the best possible care if (hopefully never) they need it, is indeed priceless. I’d get her to a vet ASAP for a check up. Phil. "It always gives me a shiver when I see a cat seeing what I can’t" –Eleanor Farjeon Feline Healthcare: http://maxshouse.com
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Ok, for some who read all posts to this ng, all the time, I have made it clear > that I don’t know much about cats. I have 2 six month old kittens/almost cats, > I guess. > The one, frequently does this sort of (HOW on earth to describe this?) > whoofing, choking sort of thing. The only other time I ever heard that noise > was when the OTHER one vomited right after. The kitty in question never > vomits, just makes these weird noises that make me nervous for her. > I am pretty smart (I think!) and think for sure this is about hair balls. When > she does it, I give her another dose of the hairball remedy stuff from a tube. > That does seem to make the huffing and puffing go away for a few days. > NOT wanting to sound "materialistic" or cheap, but, being a nurse, and knowing > how sometimes the doc knows no more than you, I honestly hate to take her to > the vet unless I think there IS a problem! (As an aside, this kitty was in my > life two days when I took them both to the vet for a "well baby" check up, or > whatever cat people call it. She had a high temp and was admitted. She was in > six days on IV antibiotics, had a dozen tests. $600 dollars later, her dx was > "fever of unknown etiology.")n THAT’s another story, but odd how our first > days were about my worrying about a cat a barely knew, but honestly also gave > me some "quality time" with the other. Lia (the "whoofer") came home and > eventually also got into life here! > I guess I am mentiioning that only to say that, I know many "medical" things > are not so well defined either. Maybe this is just hairball coughing and I > just don’t recognize that sound? > The cat is active, lively and always surprising me. She was at first not so > agile, but when I came home from a business trip last week, she demonstrated > she’d learned to climb to many new heights! She looks and acts like a healthy > cat. But she "whoofs" some. > Can someone tell me if I am being lacksidaisical in not taking her to the vet? > I will if I should, and will pay what I must. Just I keep thinking maybe this > is about my being inexperienced. > Side note, the OTHER cat (Jack, also a female), did that same huffing noise > yesterday. First time I’d heard that from her (except for the time she > puked!). > I know this is long and disjointed, but guess I am asking. What does trying to > cough up a hairball sound like? And should I worry if they otherwise seem JUST > fine and active and happy? (By the way, they are sisters and have what seems > to me to be long hair, but was told by the shelter where I got them they are > "medium" hair. And I do groom/brush them a couple times a week.) > PattyC
Response:
Whenever I hear this sound I reach for the Petramalt. It’s an over the counter common hairball remedy available at any pet store. If, after 3-4 days of giving the medication, the symptoms don’t subside I think it’s time for a vet opinion. Asthma can often mimic the infamous hairball cough. But try to rule out the obvious first by treating symptomatically. If you want more info on hairballs, look them up on the Link Library. There’s info on asthma too if you’re interested. http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/9352/alphalinks.html – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Ok, for some who read all posts to this ng, all the time, I have made it clear > that I don’t know much about cats. I have 2 six month old kittens/almost cats, > I guess. > The one, frequently does this sort of (HOW on earth to describe this?) > whoofing, choking sort of thing. The only other time I ever heard that noise > was when the OTHER one vomited right after. The kitty in question never > vomits, just makes these weird noises that make me nervous for her. > I am pretty smart (I think!) and think for sure this is about hair balls. When > she does it, I give her another dose of the hairball remedy stuff from a tube. > That does seem to make the huffing and puffing go away for a few days. > NOT wanting to sound "materialistic" or cheap, but, being a nurse, and knowing > how sometimes the doc knows no more than you, I honestly hate to take her to > the vet unless I think there IS a problem! (As an aside, this kitty was in my > life two days when I took them both to the vet for a "well baby" check up, or > whatever cat people call it. She had a high temp and was admitted. She was in > six days on IV antibiotics, had a dozen tests. $600 dollars later, her dx was > "fever of unknown etiology.")n THAT’s another story, but odd how our first > days were about my worrying about a cat a barely knew, but honestly also gave > me some "quality time" with the other. Lia (the "whoofer") came home and > eventually also got into life here! > I guess I am mentiioning that only to say that, I know many "medical" things > are not so well defined either. Maybe this is just hairball coughing and I > just don’t recognize that sound? > The cat is active, lively and always surprising me. She was at first not so > agile, but when I came home from a business trip last week, she demonstrated > she’d learned to climb to many new heights! She looks and acts like a healthy > cat. But she "whoofs" some. > Can someone tell me if I am being lacksidaisical in not taking her to the vet? > I will if I should, and will pay what I must. Just I keep thinking maybe this > is about my being inexperienced. > Side note, the OTHER cat (Jack, also a female), did that same huffing noise > yesterday. First time I’d heard that from her (except for the time she > puked!). > I know this is long and disjointed, but guess I am asking. What does trying to > cough up a hairball sound like? And should I worry if they otherwise seem JUST > fine and active and happy? (By the way, they are sisters and have what seems > to me to be long hair, but was told by the shelter where I got them they are > "medium" hair. And I do groom/brush them a couple times a week.) > PattyC
– Tally’s Page Cat Health & Behavior Links, Special Remembrances, Animal Issues & Photos! http://www.tallyville.com
Response:
About five years ago when I first got "Ike", he was 9 years old. The first time I hears him make that sound I thought he was going to throw up – but he didn’t. It got more and more frequent. When I took him to the Vet he had to go on my description since Ike naturally didn’t "perform" for the Vet. The Vet said it sounded like asthma and gave him a prednisone shot. The cough cleared up within two days. About three or four months later, it started again – slowly at first then more and more frequent until I took him back to the Vet. This cycle kept repeating until Ike disappeared last summer. (I tried to keep him in but he was used to going out and was very unhappy if I didn’t let him out). -MIKE
Response:
Ok, for some who read all posts to this ng, all the time, I have made it clear that I don’t know much about cats. I have 2 six month old kittens/almost cats, I guess. The one, frequently does this sort of (HOW on earth to describe this?) whoofing, choking sort of thing. The only other time I ever heard that noise was when the OTHER one vomited right after. The kitty in question never vomits, just makes these weird noises that make me nervous for her. I am pretty smart (I think!) and think for sure this is about hair balls. When she does it, I give her another dose of the hairball remedy stuff from a tube. That does seem to make the huffing and puffing go away for a few days. NOT wanting to sound "materialistic" or cheap, but, being a nurse, and knowing how sometimes the doc knows no more than you, I honestly hate to take her to the vet unless I think there IS a problem! (As an aside, this kitty was in my life two days when I took them both to the vet for a "well baby" check up, or whatever cat people call it. She had a high temp and was admitted. She was in six days on IV antibiotics, had a dozen tests. $600 dollars later, her dx was "fever of unknown etiology.")n THAT’s another story, but odd how our first days were about my worrying about a cat a barely knew, but honestly also gave me some "quality time" with the other. Lia (the "whoofer") came home and eventually also got into life here! I guess I am mentiioning that only to say that, I know many "medical" things are not so well defined either. Maybe this is just hairball coughing and I just don’t recognize that sound? The cat is active, lively and always surprising me. She was at first not so agile, but when I came home from a business trip last week, she demonstrated she’d learned to climb to many new heights! She looks and acts like a healthy cat. But she "whoofs" some. Can someone tell me if I am being lacksidaisical in not taking her to the vet? I will if I should, and will pay what I must. Just I keep thinking maybe this is about my being inexperienced. Side note, the OTHER cat (Jack, also a female), did that same huffing noise yesterday. First time I’d heard that from her (except for the time she puked!). I know this is long and disjointed, but guess I am asking. What does trying to cough up a hairball sound like? And should I worry if they otherwise seem JUST fine and active and happy? (By the way, they are sisters and have what seems to me to be long hair, but was told by the shelter where I got them they are "medium" hair. And I do groom/brush them a couple times a week.) PattyC
Response:
Patty, Coughing is a sign of many possibilities, some of which are not serious, some of which are very serious. Roundworms for example; after the eggs are swallowed they pass into the intestine, hatch into larvae, migrate through the liver, enter the lungs where they are coughed up and swallowed and return to the small intestine to develop into adults where the cycle starts again. Coughing is also a symptom of Heartworms, Histo, Toxo, Lung Parasites, and if you live in the Great Lakes region, Ohio, and Mississippi River valleys, Blastomycosis is also a differential. There are at least 25 more possibilities I can think of right off the top of my head some of which could be very serious if not treated promptly. A quick once over by a vet and a fecal exam is probably the smart play. The best strategy for dealing with cats is rule out the more serious possibilities *first*. They’re masters at the art of concealment – hiding illnesses very well. Hopefully, it may just be a hair ball, but if it isn’t, most potentially serious conditions can be cured or at the very least, controlled, by early detection and prompt treatment. For enormous peace of mind, you may want to consider Pet Health insurance. The premiums for cats at your cats age are about $100 a year – depending on your area. The first company pays 100% of the vet/hospital bill including all tests and medication but requires a $40 deductible per visit. The second company has a $200 deductible per year but pays only 80% of the bill (including tests, meds, etc.). They both offer preventative health packages. http://www.veterinarypetinsurance.com/vpi_user/ http://www.premierpetinsurance.com/orderprocess/quote.asp The peace of mind of knowing your cats will always receive the best possible care if (hopefully never) they need it, is indeed priceless. I’d get her to a vet ASAP for a check up. Phil. "It always gives me a shiver when I see a cat seeing what I can’t" –Eleanor Farjeon Feline Healthcare: http://maxshouse.com
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Ok, for some who read all posts to this ng, all the time, I have made it clear > that I don’t know much about cats. I have 2 six month old kittens/almost cats, > I guess. > The one, frequently does this sort of (HOW on earth to describe this?) > whoofing, choking sort of thing. The only other time I ever heard that noise > was when the OTHER one vomited right after. The kitty in question never > vomits, just makes these weird noises that make me nervous for her. > I am pretty smart (I think!) and think for sure this is about hair balls. When > she does it, I give her another dose of the hairball remedy stuff from a tube. > That does seem to make the huffing and puffing go away for a few days. > NOT wanting to sound "materialistic" or cheap, but, being a nurse, and knowing > how sometimes the doc knows no more than you, I honestly hate to take her to > the vet unless I think there IS a problem! (As an aside, this kitty was in my > life two days when I took them both to the vet for a "well baby" check up, or > whatever cat people call it. She had a high temp and was admitted. She was in > six days on IV antibiotics, had a dozen tests. $600 dollars later, her dx was > "fever of unknown etiology.")n THAT’s another story, but odd how our first > days were about my worrying about a cat a barely knew, but honestly also gave > me some "quality time" with the other. Lia (the "whoofer") came home and > eventually also got into life here! > I guess I am mentiioning that only to say that, I know many "medical" things > are not so well defined either. Maybe this is just hairball coughing and I > just don’t recognize that sound? > The cat is active, lively and always surprising me. She was at first not so > agile, but when I came home from a business trip last week, she demonstrated > she’d learned to climb to many new heights! She looks and acts like a healthy > cat. But she "whoofs" some. > Can someone tell me if I am being lacksidaisical in not taking her to the vet? > I will if I should, and will pay what I must. Just I keep thinking maybe this > is about my being inexperienced. > Side note, the OTHER cat (Jack, also a female), did that same huffing noise > yesterday. First time I’d heard that from her (except for the time she > puked!). > I know this is long and disjointed, but guess I am asking. What does trying to > cough up a hairball sound like? And should I worry if they otherwise seem JUST > fine and active and happy? (By the way, they are sisters and have what seems > to me to be long hair, but was told by the shelter where I got them they are > "medium" hair. And I do groom/brush them a couple times a week.) > PattyC
Response:
Whenever I hear this sound I reach for the Petramalt. It’s an over the counter common hairball remedy available at any pet store. If, after 3-4 days of giving the medication, the symptoms don’t subside I think it’s time for a vet opinion. Asthma can often mimic the infamous hairball cough. But try to rule out the obvious first by treating symptomatically. If you want more info on hairballs, look them up on the Link Library. There’s info on asthma too if you’re interested. http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/9352/alphalinks.html – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Ok, for some who read all posts to this ng, all the time, I have made it clear > that I don’t know much about cats. I have 2 six month old kittens/almost cats, > I guess. > The one, frequently does this sort of (HOW on earth to describe this?) > whoofing, choking sort of thing. The only other time I ever heard that noise > was when the OTHER one vomited right after. The kitty in question never > vomits, just makes these weird noises that make me nervous for her. > I am pretty smart (I think!) and think for sure this is about hair balls. When > she does it, I give her another dose of the hairball remedy stuff from a tube. > That does seem to make the huffing and puffing go away for a few days. > NOT wanting to sound "materialistic" or cheap, but, being a nurse, and knowing > how sometimes the doc knows no more than you, I honestly hate to take her to > the vet unless I think there IS a problem! (As an aside, this kitty was in my > life two days when I took them both to the vet for a "well baby" check up, or > whatever cat people call it. She had a high temp and was admitted. She was in > six days on IV antibiotics, had a dozen tests. $600 dollars later, her dx was > "fever of unknown etiology.")n THAT’s another story, but odd how our first > days were about my worrying about a cat a barely knew, but honestly also gave > me some "quality time" with the other. Lia (the "whoofer") came home and > eventually also got into life here! > I guess I am mentiioning that only to say that, I know many "medical" things > are not so well defined either. Maybe this is just hairball coughing and I > just don’t recognize that sound? > The cat is active, lively and always surprising me. She was at first not so > agile, but when I came home from a business trip last week, she demonstrated > she’d learned to climb to many new heights! She looks and acts like a healthy > cat. But she "whoofs" some. > Can someone tell me if I am being lacksidaisical in not taking her to the vet? > I will if I should, and will pay what I must. Just I keep thinking maybe this > is about my being inexperienced. > Side note, the OTHER cat (Jack, also a female), did that same huffing noise > yesterday. First time I’d heard that from her (except for the time she > puked!). > I know this is long and disjointed, but guess I am asking. What does trying to > cough up a hairball sound like? And should I worry if they otherwise seem JUST > fine and active and happy? (By the way, they are sisters and have what seems > to me to be long hair, but was told by the shelter where I got them they are > "medium" hair. And I do groom/brush them a couple times a week.) > PattyC
– Tally’s Page Cat Health & Behavior Links, Special Remembrances, Animal Issues & Photos! http://www.tallyville.com
Response:
About five years ago when I first got "Ike", he was 9 years old. The first time I hears him make that sound I thought he was going to throw up – but he didn’t. It got more and more frequent. When I took him to the Vet he had to go on my description since Ike naturally didn’t "perform" for the Vet. The Vet said it sounded like asthma and gave him a prednisone shot. The cough cleared up within two days. About three or four months later, it started again – slowly at first then more and more frequent until I took him back to the Vet. This cycle kept repeating until Ike disappeared last summer. (I tried to keep him in but he was used to going out and was very unhappy if I didn’t let him out). -MIKE
Response:
Ok, for some who read all posts to this ng, all the time, I have made it clear that I don’t know much about cats. I have 2 six month old kittens/almost cats, I guess. The one, frequently does this sort of (HOW on earth to describe this?) whoofing, choking sort of thing. The only other time I ever heard that noise was when the OTHER one vomited right after. The kitty in question never vomits, just makes these weird noises that make me nervous for her. I am pretty smart (I think!) and think for sure this is about hair balls. When she does it, I give her another dose of the hairball remedy stuff from a tube. That does seem to make the huffing and puffing go away for a few days. NOT wanting to sound "materialistic" or cheap, but, being a nurse, and knowing how sometimes the doc knows no more than you, I honestly hate to take her to the vet unless I think there IS a problem! (As an aside, this kitty was in my life two days when I took them both to the vet for a "well baby" check up, or whatever cat people call it. She had a high temp and was admitted. She was in six days on IV antibiotics, had a dozen tests. $600 dollars later, her dx was "fever of unknown etiology.")n THAT’s another story, but odd how our first days were about my worrying about a cat a barely knew, but honestly also gave me some "quality time" with the other. Lia (the "whoofer") came home and eventually also got into life here! I guess I am mentiioning that only to say that, I know many "medical" things are not so well defined either. Maybe this is just hairball coughing and I just don’t recognize that sound? The cat is active, lively and always surprising me. She was at first not so agile, but when I came home from a business trip last week, she demonstrated she’d learned to climb to many new heights! She looks and acts like a healthy cat. But she "whoofs" some. Can someone tell me if I am being lacksidaisical in not taking her to the vet? I will if I should, and will pay what I must. Just I keep thinking maybe this is about my being inexperienced. Side note, the OTHER cat (Jack, also a female), did that same huffing noise yesterday. First time I’d heard that from her (except for the time she puked!). I know this is long and disjointed, but guess I am asking. What does trying to cough up a hairball sound like? And should I worry if they otherwise seem JUST fine and active and happy? (By the way, they are sisters and have what seems to me to be long hair, but was told by the shelter where I got them they are "medium" hair. And I do groom/brush them a couple times a week.) PattyC
Response:
Patty, Coughing is a sign of many possibilities, some of which are not serious, some of which are very serious. Roundworms for example; after the eggs are swallowed they pass into the intestine, hatch into larvae, migrate through the liver, enter the lungs where they are coughed up and swallowed and return to the small intestine to develop into adults where the cycle starts again. Coughing is also a symptom of Heartworms, Histo, Toxo, Lung Parasites, and if you live in the Great Lakes region, Ohio, and Mississippi River valleys, Blastomycosis is also a differential. There are at least 25 more possibilities I can think of right off the top of my head some of which could be very serious if not treated promptly. A quick once over by a vet and a fecal exam is probably the smart play. The best strategy for dealing with cats is rule out the more serious possibilities *first*. They’re masters at the art of concealment – hiding illnesses very well. Hopefully, it may just be a hair ball, but if it isn’t, most potentially serious conditions can be cured or at the very least, controlled, by early detection and prompt treatment. For enormous peace of mind, you may want to consider Pet Health insurance. The premiums for cats at your cats age are about $100 a year – depending on your area. The first company pays 100% of the vet/hospital bill including all tests and medication but requires a $40 deductible per visit. The second company has a $200 deductible per year but pays only 80% of the bill (including tests, meds, etc.). They both offer preventative health packages. http://www.veterinarypetinsurance.com/vpi_user/ http://www.premierpetinsurance.com/orderprocess/quote.asp The peace of mind of knowing your cats will always receive the best possible care if (hopefully never) they need it, is indeed priceless. I’d get her to a vet ASAP for a check up. Phil. "It always gives me a shiver when I see a cat seeing what I can’t" –Eleanor Farjeon Feline Healthcare: http://maxshouse.com
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Ok, for some who read all posts to this ng, all the time, I have made it clear > that I don’t know much about cats. I have 2 six month old kittens/almost cats, > I guess. > The one, frequently does this sort of (HOW on earth to describe this?) > whoofing, choking sort of thing. The only other time I ever heard that noise > was when the OTHER one vomited right after. The kitty in question never > vomits, just makes these weird noises that make me nervous for her. > I am pretty smart (I think!) and think for sure this is about hair balls. When > she does it, I give her another dose of the hairball remedy stuff from a tube. > That does seem to make the huffing and puffing go away for a few days. > NOT wanting to sound "materialistic" or cheap, but, being a nurse, and knowing > how sometimes the doc knows no more than you, I honestly hate to take her to > the vet unless I think there IS a problem! (As an aside, this kitty was in my > life two days when I took them both to the vet for a "well baby" check up, or > whatever cat people call it. She had a high temp and was admitted. She was in > six days on IV antibiotics, had a dozen tests. $600 dollars later, her dx was > "fever of unknown etiology.")n THAT’s another story, but odd how our first > days were about my worrying about a cat a barely knew, but honestly also gave > me some "quality time" with the other. Lia (the "whoofer") came home and > eventually also got into life here! > I guess I am mentiioning that only to say that, I know many "medical" things > are not so well defined either. Maybe this is just hairball coughing and I > just don’t recognize that sound? > The cat is active, lively and always surprising me. She was at first not so > agile, but when I came home from a business trip last week, she demonstrated > she’d learned to climb to many new heights! She looks and acts like a healthy > cat. But she "whoofs" some. > Can someone tell me if I am being lacksidaisical in not taking her to the vet? > I will if I should, and will pay what I must. Just I keep thinking maybe this > is about my being inexperienced. > Side note, the OTHER cat (Jack, also a female), did that same huffing noise > yesterday. First time I’d heard that from her (except for the time she > puked!). > I know this is long and disjointed, but guess I am asking. What does trying to > cough up a hairball sound like? And should I worry if they otherwise seem JUST > fine and active and happy? (By the way, they are sisters and have what seems > to me to be long hair, but was told by the shelter where I got them they are > "medium" hair. And I do groom/brush them a couple times a week.) > PattyC
Response:
Whenever I hear this sound I reach for the Petramalt. It’s an over the counter common hairball remedy available at any pet store. If, after 3-4 days of giving the medication, the symptoms don’t subside I think it’s time for a vet opinion. Asthma can often mimic the infamous hairball cough. But try to rule out the obvious first by treating symptomatically. If you want more info on hairballs, look them up on the Link Library. There’s info on asthma too if you’re interested. http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/9352/alphalinks.html – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Ok, for some who read all posts to this ng, all the time, I have made it clear > that I don’t know much about cats. I have 2 six month old kittens/almost cats, > I guess. > The one, frequently does this sort of (HOW on earth to describe this?) > whoofing, choking sort of thing. The only other time I ever heard that noise > was when the OTHER one vomited right after. The kitty in question never > vomits, just makes these weird noises that make me nervous for her. > I am pretty smart (I think!) and think for sure this is about hair balls. When > she does it, I give her another dose of the hairball remedy stuff from a tube. > That does seem to make the huffing and puffing go away for a few days. > NOT wanting to sound "materialistic" or cheap, but, being a nurse, and knowing > how sometimes the doc knows no more than you, I honestly hate to take her to > the vet unless I think there IS a problem! (As an aside, this kitty was in my > life two days when I took them both to the vet for a "well baby" check up, or > whatever cat people call it. She had a high temp and was admitted. She was in > six days on IV antibiotics, had a dozen tests. $600 dollars later, her dx was > "fever of unknown etiology.")n THAT’s another story, but odd how our first > days were about my worrying about a cat a barely knew, but honestly also gave > me some "quality time" with the other. Lia (the "whoofer") came home and > eventually also got into life here! > I guess I am mentiioning that only to say that, I know many "medical" things > are not so well defined either. Maybe this is just hairball coughing and I > just don’t recognize that sound? > The cat is active, lively and always surprising me. She was at first not so > agile, but when I came home from a business trip last week, she demonstrated > she’d learned to climb to many new heights! She looks and acts like a healthy > cat. But she "whoofs" some. > Can someone tell me if I am being lacksidaisical in not taking her to the vet? > I will if I should, and will pay what I must. Just I keep thinking maybe this > is about my being inexperienced. > Side note, the OTHER cat (Jack, also a female), did that same huffing noise > yesterday. First time I’d heard that from her (except for the time she > puked!). > I know this is long and disjointed, but guess I am asking. What does trying to > cough up a hairball sound like? And should I worry if they otherwise seem JUST > fine and active and happy? (By the way, they are sisters and have what seems > to me to be long hair, but was told by the shelter where I got them they are > "medium" hair. And I do groom/brush them a couple times a week.) > PattyC
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Response:
About five years ago when I first got "Ike", he was 9 years old. The first time I hears him make that sound I thought he was going to throw up – but he didn’t. It got more and more frequent. When I took him to the Vet he had to go on my description since Ike naturally didn’t "perform" for the Vet. The Vet said it sounded like asthma and gave him a prednisone shot. The cough cleared up within two days. About three or four months later, it started again – slowly at first then more and more frequent until I took him back to the Vet. This cycle kept repeating until Ike disappeared last summer. (I tried to keep him in but he was used to going out and was very unhappy if I didn’t let him out). -MIKE
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