Feline Asthma - Cat Asthma - It's Not A Hair Ball - Cat Hacking and Breathing Problems

[troutwig66]

Wow! Thanks for all the indepth info! You really helped us out! That's EXACTLY what our cat has and we will look into getting the AeroKat via Canada. I know you're not a "vet" but you were spot on about your asthma hunch. Mabye you missed your calling! Thanks again!

[shlucke]

my cat seems to sleep next to a chimney at night...smells like smoke anyway. does the same thing...

[hunhun23]

My cat has been doing the same thing for the past week. She is the oldest of 4 cats that I have. I will have to take her to the vet. The thing is my mother's cat had the same thing and the pills that the vet gave her eventually caused her to have renal failure and she passed away from hat. I am going to see if the vet has that AeroKat and see if that will help

[vampjess1992]

Wow I have 3 cats and my oldest one midnight always did this weird hacking noice. I had no clue what it was, but now because of this video i do believe she asthma. any suggestions i can do to help her out?

[soukup85]

@vampjess1992 Read the entire description of my video. Basically got to a Vet.

[soukup85]

If you suspect your cat has asthma take it to your Vet.  I am not a professional and cannot diagnose your cat.

[pseedie]

your posting this video may have saved our cats life. We got him in early and had a vet that knew about inhaled medication. THANK YOU for posting this. the EHOW video explains, but doesn't SHOW. You did. I am eternally grateful for this video!!!

[meganpeters100]

My cat does that when he's going to yak up something

[katekennedydance]

I'm glad he's ok. He had a really fuuny sounding cough if it wasn't so sad. Thanks for think aerocat info

[tall32guy]

Poor kitty! He sounds terrible! Hope he got better.

[Boostthestreetracer]

My cat just recently started to hack like this. Its been happening since sunday and it seems to be less frequent now but, when she hacks it looks like shes trying to throw-up something but either it can't get out or she just keeps swallowing it. Could it be that shes Asthmatic?

[intricateash]

@Boostthestreetracer The only way to know for sure is to take your cat to the vet. It will get much worse over time and cause lasting damage if left untreated. It's best to take it to the vet and get proper treatment.

[lilcdnthatcould]

thank you for posting this! My cat was doing this just now, first time in a couple years, but now that I know it's not a weird hairball, I know to get him to the vet - he's probably asthmatic.

[pinkpantherchik18]

thank u soo much for posting this I had no idea where to start on Google. my cat does the exact same thing.

[BecksT1984]

I just took our boy in to the vet today because of a cough that sounds much like this, we had him on Furlax for hairballs for about a week cos that's what we thought it is. Vet said his heart beat was erratic and is keeping him in overnight for chest xrays in the morning - the erratic heart beat could be because he is terrified of going to the vets I think. As odd as it sounds, I am hoping it is maybe cat asthma, and not a heart problem!

[tall32guy]

Poor kitty! I hope he has gotten better by now. :) Give him big hugs and pets for me! :)

[TheSuperKittehlover]

My poor baby does this...Off to the vet with him.

[catniptit]

Imma let you finish....... but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time. OF ALL TIME!!!!!!

[kellyclaw]

Thanks for posting this. My cat had exactly the same symptoms so we took him to the vet. He was diagnosed with asthma and the vet gave him albuterol and flovent. As soon as he had his medication he's feeling a lot better and started to act like his normal self.

[felfelbaby]

My cat had an asthma attack. And when we got to the vet, they put her on an oxygen mask. We waited for an hour, and they told us she might not make it. They also told us that we should drive to an emergency animal hospital. They put her in an oxygen tank, and she is doing much better today with her aerokat. Before that, we used the pills.

[felfelbaby]

Yesterday, when we weren't home, my cat had an asthma attack. She stopped breathing, and when we got to the vet, they put her on an oxygen mask. We waited for an hour, and they told us she might not make it. They also told us that we should drive to an emergency animal hospital. They put her in an oxygen tank, and she is doing much better today with her aerokat. Before that, we used the pills.

[soukup85]

@felfelbaby So glad to hear your cat is doing better on the AeroKat!

[loverlover2]

My cat has similar episodes... but they happen maybe once a week, or twice.. and they aren't quite as long-lasting or serious looking.

I, ofcourse, am still very worried. Do you think it's feline asthma? Or just hairballs that he isn't vomiting on time?

[soukup85]

@loverlover2 Our cat started ou the same way. The attacks were not very frequent but then they got worse and more frequent as time went on. You need to get your cat to the vet.

[loverlover2]

@soukup85 We did take him today and the vet said that he doubts it's asthma and wants to rule other possibilities first. So he gave us a pill for my cat and told us to contact him again if my cat coughs/chokes again.

:(

[ChristinaaArmani]

@loverlover2 are there any other symptoms? mucus? vomiting? lack of appetite? lethargy? coughing? swollen gums? if so it's asthma. It may also be some other form of respiratory disease.

[intricateash]

@loverlover2 Not sure if you got an acceptable answer to this but yes it could most defiantly be asthma. My cat was coughing every other day or so and it worried me and it turned out to be asthma. If he isn't vomiting it probably is. I'd take him to a vet and get xrayed to know for sure to avoid lasting damage. It's painful for your cat.

[loverlover2]

@intricateash I don't live in the same home as my cat, I am studying abroad. Any care has been entrusted to my grandmother and mother by now, and even though I told them 'he is sick' in August, no one listened. "he is fine" they said.Even the stupid vet did. Now, he has these episodes numerous times a day. I'm home for three weeks and I won't rest until he is treated for asthma because clearly that is the problem.

[kirstiemcp]

what do you guys think about my cat?

check out the video on my page

I'm really concerned for her.

does it look like asthma too?

[someamerican]

My childhood cat used to do this....hacking like he had a hairball and never coughing one up. Now I wonder if he actually had asthma...can untreated asthma in a cat lead to death?

[kerstinboyd]

Sounds like two of my cats. I'll be going to the vets again. I liked all the information you have written. They only seem to be doing this since the grain has been taken off the fields in our neighbourhood.

[lili7boy]

Thx for this video and all your knowledge, now I know my cat can be treated!!!

[Can0fpepsi]

smoking around your cat? iv seen mine do this an than i started smoking outside an haven't seen it sense

[soukup85]

@Can0fpepsi No we don't smoke. It's a nasty habit.

[Kitty787878]

I went to the vet and showed her this video on my phone and said "my cat does this!" and she took an xray and turns out my cat does have asthma. Thank you for helping me realize that he wasn't just coughing up a hair ball - this is a great video!

[soukup85]

@Kitty787878 My cat is helping cats all around the world. I am glad you were able to diagnose your cat and hopefully get the proper treatment.

[piggiesmalls4]

So I am planning to take action, and follow your advice. But for the medication the Fluticasone Propionate Ihalation IP 125 mcg/dose (Flohale Generic), do I need some kind of prescription to order this? And how do I know what dose I need? Please reply, thank you so much!

[soukup85]

@piggiesmalls4 Yes you need a prescription to order it. You also need to order the AeroKat which will probably run you about $95 with shipping. You cannot ignore the problem. You are going to have to treat the condition ASAP. Every second you wait, your cat is suffering. If you cannot afford to take care of your cat, then you need to find someone that may be able to help you. DO NOT WAIT ANY LONGER TO TREAT YOUR CAT.

[piggiesmalls4]

@soukup85 Do you think if I take her to the vet and tell them that she has Feline Asthma, they would give me the prescription? I don't want to take her to the vet and get no results, because no offense but they can be really freaking dumb sometimes. I have a feeling they will just be like lets do blood tests and chest xrays and what not...these run to hundreds of dollars, when I already am 99% positive it is asthma. What advice would you give me on this? Video record her having an attack?

[soukup85]

@piggiesmalls4 Just to be clear....I am not a doctor. Also, there is a possibility that the cat has something else. However, if you cannot afford the other tests and can afford the AeroKat and the Inhalers then just tell your vet that's the route you wish to pursue 1st before doing those other tests. You can also have the vet prescribe the Pill Form 1st so you can see if those work. The pill is good to try out but not utilize in the long term.

[soukup85]

@soukup85 We used the pill 1st and then when we saw that it was working then we switched to the much healthier Inhaler. The pill is cheaper but can be very dangerous to the cats health in the long term. However, it's a quick and easy way to find out if your cat has ashtma. If you vet is not responsive to this then get a new vet.

[piggiesmalls4]

Wow this is very helpful! My cat is nearly two years old now, and since last year, she's been having these attacks. At first I didn't know what it could be, so I took her to the vet hoping they would know. Unfortunately they did not, so after extensive research by myself online, I realized she has feline asthma. Now I don't know what I could do, I know taking her to the vet wouldn't be too helpful and it would cost so much, but this really helps...

[AlphaG33k1]

Thank you for posting this, I'm sure it will help many !

[guitaristsco]

awww poor kittyyyy :(

[3099Anna]

idk but kinda old cus when we gt him he was not a kitten he is prob bout 3,4,5,years old

[3099Anna]

yah i wish i would've known though so i might could have saved him

[soukup85]

@3099Anna How old was your cat?

[3099Anna]

since about this last Thankgiving i miss him he went missing and before that he was doing the same thing your cat was doing and we thought he just had a cold

[soukup85]

@3099Anna I am really sorry for your loss. It a difficult thing to diagnose because it sounds just like a cold. His symptoms could have been something entirely different than Asthma also.

[3099Anna]

omg i think this might b d reason my cat died

[soukup85]

@3099Anna I am so sorry you lost your cat. How long ago did your cat pass away? Many people don't know what is wrong with their cat because the Vets are not properly diagnosing them.

[lindzey824]

I wanted to let everyone know I switched Bella to a grain free cat food called "Blue Wilderness" and she's hasn't had near the outbreaks she used to. Might be worth a try with you cat that has asthma too!

[soukup85]

@lindzey824 It is funny you mention the Blue Wilderness Cat Food because I just recently just switched my cat over to that also. My cat also has diabetes so I thought I would be healthier for that reason also. Thanks!

[eyes0nJesus]

for the office visit. The meds he prescribed was Albuterol, and wal-mart had their own brand for only $9. I haven't gotten an AeroKat yet ... would like to find one for only $30. But I made a mask to give her her first dose when she had 4 successive small attacks tonight, and it worked for now. :)

Thanks for posting this, and good luck with your kitty!!!

[soukup85]

@eyes0nJesus The Albuterol is only $9 at Walmart now? Is that an inhaler?

[eyes0nJesus]

@soukup85 - yes, it's a metal tube with an attached inhaler-thing. I don't know what you call anything. I think it's a bronchiodialator, commonly used for asthma attacks in humans and to prevent exercise-induced asthma. She gets one or two puffs. It costs only $9 and is loaded with 64 puffs (you have to use at least 3 to prime it) but if it's handled carefully and used often enough, you can have up to 61 puffs for $9. Not sure of effectiveness yet, we just started out. Good luck with your cat!

[soukup85]

@eyes0nJesus Thanks! Good Luck with your Cat also.

[eyes0nJesus]

Thanks, I hadn't thought of dusting under the bed. My cat has had minor attacks like this off and on for a couple of years. Her first attack was the day I had her spayed. This week they progressed to a more severe attack, and I thought she was going to die.

The first vet I contacted offered me antibiotics (!) unless I did a battery of tests that I couldn't afford. I found another (much better!) vet that examined her and said it was most likely asthma, and charged me only $35 for the (cont)

[soukup85]

@eyes0nJesus sounds like you went through what I did with the vets. I hope your cat is doing better.

[mothernyx]

Ty for sharing this video! Our three-year-old female tuxedo cat began displaying this exact behavior about one week ago. It began with a kind of dry hacking cough, and eventually progressed to a much more frantic version of what your cat goes through in this video. Just returned from the vet a couple hours ago. Thankfully Dr. Clark pegged the diagnosis right away. Our cat has asthma, and is kicking a bacterial infection to boot. We're getting an AeroKat and air purifiers. Lots to learn.

[soukup85]

@mothernyx No problem. I am glad this video was able to help you diagnose your cat. Sounds like you have a good Dr.. My cat had a bacterial infection also after diagnosis. We had to give him an antibiotic to get rid of it then had to give him Fortiflora with his food. His bacterial infection came back recently because we stopped the Fortiflora so we had to do the Antibiotic again and keep him on the Fortiflora for life.

[divebarverse]

He sounds kind of like Yoda.

[Buffheart]

He doesn't have any medication? Not even an inhaler? Wow! That's amazing!

[FluticasonePropionat]

ohoohohooo=)

[heartmatters22]

Thanks for your post! My kitty has had this kind of cough occasionally for a long time but just started wheezing a lot more. I was completely floored because it didn't sound anything like human asthma (my old boyfriend was asthmatic). Apparently when he "grunts" he's actually wheezing, poor baby. He's on prednisone now but I'm thinking the inhaler would be really helpful for him. I hope your kitty keeps doing well!

[Buffheart]

Have you heard of FAR?

pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/fe­lineasthmarelief/

[sfxmaven]

May I ask what the name of the medication is that you give your cat? My cat is having those symptoms...

[soukup85]

@sfxmaven the medication is an inhaler called Fluticasone Propionate Ihalation IP 125 mcg/dose. We give him 2 to 3 puffs twice daily. Usually 12 hours a part.

[Buffheart]

Did they do any tests to determine asthma? I read your description. I am asking because two vets think my little Aby has asthma, but they haven't done any tests. One gave me a bottle of oral steroids, which worked, and the one today (December 27, 2010) gave her a shot, but neither did any tests. Is there any sort of definitive test?

[soukup85]

@Buffheart There were no tests. I just read up on symptoms and after x-rays and blood tests we decided to get the inhaler. i wouldn't give your cat oral steriods or shots. You need to give your cat the inhaler because it is safer. The oral steriods are not the recommended method of treating asthma. The inhaler is only $120 for a 6 month supply from Candadian Pharmacies. You will need to order the air chamber device the "AeroKat" to administer it. Read my entire description of my video.

[agerolimatos]

@Buffheart X-rays show the scaring on the lungs. Aby has asthma I saw your vid. (pretty sure)

I bought a good vacuum and cleaned under beds and on tops of furniture only the cats can get to but they are filthy with dust. not any more :) Also I clean bathroom everyday from litter dust and shoo him when I catch him digging. He is 99.7% better and on no meds. No attack for three months.

[opal1920able]

sorry they didnt listen to you, they should have known better, consider thats supposed to be their profession. im glad you want on you intuition.

[StephanyAzules]

hello it's not funny it's not one show

[ThosmenDer]

poor cat!

[MrLobito1000]

pooor animal!

[murtalink]

oho! poor cat !

[jamielynnfox]

Thank you so much for posting this. I needed to hear an example of feline asthma. My cat sounds EXACTLY like this. He is going to the vet today. I'm so worried.

[PrueRaine]

poor thing :(

[soukup85]

Take the cat to the vet even if you can't afford it. Ask them what to do.

[acebunny17]

omg I just found out because of this video that my cat has asthma too :( I picked up this cat from my front yard about a week because it looked so cute and I didn't want him to be out there.I don't have the money to pay for that medication you said you have,what should I do :(?

[BrokenAetherWings]

Those are some jerk vets =\ Thank goodness everything is much better now!

[LisaIsabelle]

May I ask you the exact name of the medication you're providing to your cat? My old guy (8½yo) started coughing like this years ago, about 1x every 2 weeks. But this past month it became more frequent and now coughs about 8-12x per day for several minutes. After seeing your video, I'm taking him to the vet asap but I would like to know what I'm talking about in order not to be charged expensive medications when I could find something more affordable. ty! :)

[nena1j]

@LisaIsabelle if you guys wanna find out more info about it. Goodle Feline asthma and you will see lots of advice. I would change the cat litter asap to a non dusty brand. I use feline pine for my cat. The clumping one. Also makem sure u dust and clean a lot. As in window sills where they might lay and cabinets. I keep my closet doors closed. A humidifier works well too or an air purifier. Don't spray perfumes or use strong household chemicals around them. That can make it worst.

[KinKiNiKKi4]

oh my goodness! my kitty Aspen just turned 2 yesterday and he's been doing this for about a year now and I always thought he just couldnt hack up his hairball but now i know he has asthma! makes sense, cuz i rescued him from a farm when he was only about 5 weeks old. Thanks!!

[andremw87]

May I ask what pharmacy you get it from? My newly adopted baby from the shelter has been having these coughing episodes, sometimes resulting in vomiting, and I'm going to suggested that to the vet (she wanted to do a food trial as well). I'm a college student, so any way to get the meds cheaper for my guy would be great. Did your cat ever vomit because of his episodes? Thanks. :)

[soukup85]

Call Canada Drugs Online: 877-900-3784. You will also need to order the AeroKat online to administer the medicine. Good Luck!