My siamese cat used to have these kind of episodes. We had no idea what it was, but I did suspect asthma. The vet said there was nothing wrong with her though. :/
@Uielyave Either hairballs or asthma. The only way to diagnose this is xrays or seeing the "attack" .Cats that only have this occasionally probably won't need medication.
@DrGregDVM Oh, no, she had it for a good two or so years. The attacks happened perhaps every day after the second year. She's gone now, but at least now I understand what it may have been.
Omg that breaks my heart, my Maine Coon has a bit of asthma when he gets really stressed. ='( Thank god he's hardly ever stressed so I don't have to see it often. (We found out the first time he went to the vet to get shots and neutered..he kinda didn't like being stuck with needles and sent the vet the the ER. >.<)
My cat began having asthma attacks a few months ago. I dismissed them as furball problems, until I recently realized the changes in her breathing. I researched her symptoms(wheezing when purring, abdominal breathing, and her frequent attacks) online, and i'm sure she has asthma. My parents will not take her to the veterinarian, but I'm determined to help her. I replaced her clay litter with corn because the dust is apparently a trigger for asthma. What else can I do??? Please help!!!
@Winniethejiang You can try prednisone 5mg daily if someone you know or if some human you know has access to it and see if if it helps. Unfortunately there are not alot of other options
@Mitsyrules If it is infrequent and she is healthy, probably OK for now. You can wait for the next health check. If she breathes heavy more frequently(once weekly or for longer duration) then you should consider a vet visit
Awww Mokie looks like a lovely cat - my cat is having a sleepover at the vets tonight cos he has been having a cough just like this, I thought it was furballs so he's been on Furlax for about a week which did nothing so I took him in today. Vet was concerned with his heart cos it was beating erraticly (not surprised to me considering he is terrified of the vets) so he is having chest xrays in the morning - I will be sure to mention asthma to the vet to see if he can check it out!
@tall32guy She just received another injection this morning which lasts for a week or two. She is a real cool cat, she hangs out with us all the time!
@BongoandReikiT I have tried it as well as a few clients. The injection of cortisone(low dose/short acting) every 3 weeks or so works well for most cats unless they are severely affected and need something very often like every other day or daily. Some cats really hate the inhaler!
over the last 3 months he's had 11 attacks, two of them lasted over a minute. He bites his tongue pretty hard all the times so it turns dark magenta (He does this tongue out). And He's had 2 sneeze attacks (where he sneezes 8 times a second). Not sure if its related, but you seem like the kind of guy that knows.
Can cats develop food allergies over time?
He started bouth the ear problem and breathing attacks 3 months ago so I do think they are related. I'l have the vet check for allergies.
@DrGregDVM Thanks a lot! You have no idea how much I've looked for someone who doesn't just shake their heads or say "I don't know what it is, lady. It's probably nothing."
My cat sounds EXACTLY the same and moves his head the same way. I had the vet take x-rays of his chest, but she didn't find any sign of asthma. I'm going to show this video to another vet and have him checked out there and I hope it will help them in finding the cause. Thanks for uploading.
@Bobblebeist Could be mild changes that don't show in the x rays. Call the vet that took the xrays and tell them your cat is still doing it. They may prescribe some prednisone. I give mine a shot of dexamethasone every week or two. It is a cortisone like prednisone, but a bit stronger and lasts longer
@DrGregDVM I did tell her about it, but since it only happens once in a while she does not see reason for concern. I still do though. We are currently only treating his strange ear problems, that she can't figure out either (looks like ear-mites, but its not, she checked twice).
@Bobblebeist If it only happens once in a while, it may not be an issue. My cat Mokie has an episode a few times a month and I only give her a shot if the episodes are long term or last for a few minutes.
The ear problem could be hay fever or atopy that is causing breathing problem and itchy ear. Food allergies also can cause ear problems. Omega oils like fish oil, flaxseed oil will help with skin and ear problems from the inside regardless of the cause.
@DrGregDVM That is so unbelievable, that people are that cruel to animals. And it happens all the time, which is just as unbelievable! I am glad there are people that care and will save them and help them.
@DrGregDVM That is so true, and so sad. We would not do that kind of thing to humans (most of us anyway; some of us do the same thing to other humans) but we do it to animals. Well, enough negativity and enough of my soapbox rant! LOL
I'm pretty sure as I watch this that my cat has asthma. He also wheezes when he breathes sometimes. However, he has diabetes too, or had it and it got better (when I changed his diet), and I'm told steroids can cause a cat to get diabetes again (to the point they need insulin shots). I'm not sure how to balance the two conditions.
@issyvoo2 If his breathing isn't too bad and attacks are infrequent you may want to monitor and postpone medical treatment. However there are inhalers and bronchodilators that may help. Is your cat heavy? Loosing weight really helps breathing and diabetes. More meat and less dry food helps with weight(canned food) meat 3x per week(chicken tuna)
@DrGregDVM He seems comfortable but he does have those coughing fits maybe three or four times a month, and I have noticed a kind of wheezing and rattling in his breathing. He's sixteen and somewhat heavy but not hugely fat. Oddly, he only likes dry food but I've got him a high protein dry salmon food. Aren't all the inhalers and such also steroids? Wouldn't they also cause problems with his diabetes? He also has something like eczema sometimes which might be linked to asthma?
@issyvoo2 The inhalers are steroids that go right to the problem and much lower doses. Less problems with side effects. His rashes may be due to allergies. Cats may have allergies to pollens, molds, fleas, and food ingredients.Could you try tuna, chicken, sardines or other meat with oils to help his immune system and skin?
@DrGregDVM I've been adding wild salmon oil to his food and that has helped his skin and fur. (I've added it to my own diet too!) He seems to over groom more and get reactions to that when I'm upset. He's very reactive to my moods which is almost scary. Thanks for all of the information! I'm going to contact my vet when he's back in town on Monday.
@issyvoo2 Omega oils are removed from lots of processed foods because they go bad so fast. We all need to eat healthy oils every day! They are a part of every cell in our body and important for every organ like our brain, heart, and skin
Is it hairball when the cat coughs up and tries to clear his mouth with his tongue during these episodes? I know my cat does this when he eats too fast or just out of the blue; he's pretty active and was adopted as a kitten and he was healthy. Took him to the vet as soon as I got him for vaccines and stuff.
this sounds just like my cat when he starts purring....
darkmoongoddess86 1 day ago
my cat does the same and violently shakes in a circleular motin afterwards :(
MrWeatherman10 2 days ago
Poor baby
merylstreep2010 6 days ago
My siamese cat used to have these kind of episodes. We had no idea what it was, but I did suspect asthma. The vet said there was nothing wrong with her though. :/
Uielyave 1 week ago
@Uielyave Either hairballs or asthma. The only way to diagnose this is xrays or seeing the "attack" .Cats that only have this occasionally probably won't need medication.
DrGregDVM 1 week ago
@DrGregDVM Oh, no, she had it for a good two or so years. The attacks happened perhaps every day after the second year. She's gone now, but at least now I understand what it may have been.
Uielyave 1 week ago
I guess it is time to take my cat to the vet. She is having similar attacks numerous times a day.
whitesun99 3 weeks ago
@whitesun99 Medication will make her much more comfortable.Good luck!
DrGregDVM 3 weeks ago
Omg that breaks my heart, my Maine Coon has a bit of asthma when he gets really stressed. ='( Thank god he's hardly ever stressed so I don't have to see it often. (We found out the first time he went to the vet to get shots and neutered..he kinda didn't like being stuck with needles and sent the vet the the ER. >.<)
xWolfHauntx 3 weeks ago
@xWolfHauntx My cat has an "attack" or two a month. I give her a cortisone injection that lasts for a week to ten days
DrGregDVM 3 weeks ago
My dog has Asthma
IceyCupcakeBunni 2 months ago
My cat began having asthma attacks a few months ago. I dismissed them as furball problems, until I recently realized the changes in her breathing. I researched her symptoms(wheezing when purring, abdominal breathing, and her frequent attacks) online, and i'm sure she has asthma. My parents will not take her to the veterinarian, but I'm determined to help her. I replaced her clay litter with corn because the dust is apparently a trigger for asthma. What else can I do??? Please help!!!
Winniethejiang 2 months ago
@Winniethejiang You can try prednisone 5mg daily if someone you know or if some human you know has access to it and see if if it helps. Unfortunately there are not alot of other options
DrGregDVM 2 months ago
This happens to one of my cats every so often...like every few weeks or even months. Should I take her to the vet?
Mitsyrules 3 months ago
@Mitsyrules If it is infrequent and she is healthy, probably OK for now. You can wait for the next health check. If she breathes heavy more frequently(once weekly or for longer duration) then you should consider a vet visit
DrGregDVM 3 months ago
Awww Mokie looks like a lovely cat - my cat is having a sleepover at the vets tonight cos he has been having a cough just like this, I thought it was furballs so he's been on Furlax for about a week which did nothing so I took him in today. Vet was concerned with his heart cos it was beating erraticly (not surprised to me considering he is terrified of the vets) so he is having chest xrays in the morning - I will be sure to mention asthma to the vet to see if he can check it out!
BecksT1984 3 months ago
@BecksT1984 I hope they are able to diagnose and treat your cat. Hope it is mild asthma and not a heart problem!
DrGregDVM 3 months ago
Awwww poor kitty! I am glad she is ok and that you have given her love and helped her! :):)
tall32guy 3 months ago
@tall32guy She just received another injection this morning which lasts for a week or two. She is a real cool cat, she hangs out with us all the time!
DrGregDVM 3 months ago
@DrGregDVM Cool! I love her! If she was in my town, I would visit her often. :) Please give her a hug and pet for me! :)
tall32guy 3 months ago
@tall32guy Sure will, Thanks!
DrGregDVM 3 months ago
You should look into a kitty inhaler.
BongoandReikiT 3 months ago
@BongoandReikiT I have tried it as well as a few clients. The injection of cortisone(low dose/short acting) every 3 weeks or so works well for most cats unless they are severely affected and need something very often like every other day or daily. Some cats really hate the inhaler!
DrGregDVM 3 months ago
over the last 3 months he's had 11 attacks, two of them lasted over a minute. He bites his tongue pretty hard all the times so it turns dark magenta (He does this tongue out). And He's had 2 sneeze attacks (where he sneezes 8 times a second). Not sure if its related, but you seem like the kind of guy that knows.
Can cats develop food allergies over time?
He started bouth the ear problem and breathing attacks 3 months ago so I do think they are related. I'l have the vet check for allergies.
Bobblebeist 4 months ago
@Bobblebeist Sounds like you may want to try a shot of steroid or prednisone pills to see if it helps both problems.
DrGregDVM 4 months ago
@DrGregDVM Thanks a lot! You have no idea how much I've looked for someone who doesn't just shake their heads or say "I don't know what it is, lady. It's probably nothing."
Bobblebeist 4 months ago
@Bobblebeist Course I don't know if thats what it is without a look, but these are the most common syndromes.
Good luck!
DrGregDVM 4 months ago
My cat sounds EXACTLY the same and moves his head the same way. I had the vet take x-rays of his chest, but she didn't find any sign of asthma. I'm going to show this video to another vet and have him checked out there and I hope it will help them in finding the cause. Thanks for uploading.
Bobblebeist 4 months ago
@Bobblebeist Could be mild changes that don't show in the x rays. Call the vet that took the xrays and tell them your cat is still doing it. They may prescribe some prednisone. I give mine a shot of dexamethasone every week or two. It is a cortisone like prednisone, but a bit stronger and lasts longer
DrGregDVM 4 months ago
@DrGregDVM I did tell her about it, but since it only happens once in a while she does not see reason for concern. I still do though. We are currently only treating his strange ear problems, that she can't figure out either (looks like ear-mites, but its not, she checked twice).
Bobblebeist 4 months ago
@Bobblebeist If it only happens once in a while, it may not be an issue. My cat Mokie has an episode a few times a month and I only give her a shot if the episodes are long term or last for a few minutes.
The ear problem could be hay fever or atopy that is causing breathing problem and itchy ear. Food allergies also can cause ear problems. Omega oils like fish oil, flaxseed oil will help with skin and ear problems from the inside regardless of the cause.
DrGregDVM 4 months ago
@PierreDeChat Nobody should smoke, especially my asthmatic cat that was burned by sadistic people that threw it in a burn barrel.
DrGregDVM 4 months ago
@DrGregDVM That is so unbelievable, that people are that cruel to animals. And it happens all the time, which is just as unbelievable! I am glad there are people that care and will save them and help them.
tall32guy 3 months ago
@tall32guy Sociopaths have no feeling for living things. unfortunately our society tends to devalue life and value "stuff" and money more.
DrGregDVM 3 months ago
@DrGregDVM That is so true, and so sad. We would not do that kind of thing to humans (most of us anyway; some of us do the same thing to other humans) but we do it to animals. Well, enough negativity and enough of my soapbox rant! LOL
tall32guy 3 months ago
@tall32guy Thanks for the great comments and watching
DrGregDVM 3 months ago
I'm pretty sure as I watch this that my cat has asthma. He also wheezes when he breathes sometimes. However, he has diabetes too, or had it and it got better (when I changed his diet), and I'm told steroids can cause a cat to get diabetes again (to the point they need insulin shots). I'm not sure how to balance the two conditions.
issyvoo2 5 months ago
@issyvoo2 If his breathing isn't too bad and attacks are infrequent you may want to monitor and postpone medical treatment. However there are inhalers and bronchodilators that may help. Is your cat heavy? Loosing weight really helps breathing and diabetes. More meat and less dry food helps with weight(canned food) meat 3x per week(chicken tuna)
DrGregDVM 5 months ago
@DrGregDVM He seems comfortable but he does have those coughing fits maybe three or four times a month, and I have noticed a kind of wheezing and rattling in his breathing. He's sixteen and somewhat heavy but not hugely fat. Oddly, he only likes dry food but I've got him a high protein dry salmon food. Aren't all the inhalers and such also steroids? Wouldn't they also cause problems with his diabetes? He also has something like eczema sometimes which might be linked to asthma?
issyvoo2 5 months ago
@issyvoo2 The inhalers are steroids that go right to the problem and much lower doses. Less problems with side effects. His rashes may be due to allergies. Cats may have allergies to pollens, molds, fleas, and food ingredients.Could you try tuna, chicken, sardines or other meat with oils to help his immune system and skin?
DrGregDVM 5 months ago
@DrGregDVM I've been adding wild salmon oil to his food and that has helped his skin and fur. (I've added it to my own diet too!) He seems to over groom more and get reactions to that when I'm upset. He's very reactive to my moods which is almost scary. Thanks for all of the information! I'm going to contact my vet when he's back in town on Monday.
issyvoo2 5 months ago
@issyvoo2 Good job. Cats and dogs need more healthy fat and oils in their food!
DrGregDVM 5 months ago
@DrGregDVM It's helping with my own eczema too. I've hardly got any now. We are, after all, both mammals, my cat and I.
issyvoo2 5 months ago
@issyvoo2 Omega oils are removed from lots of processed foods because they go bad so fast. We all need to eat healthy oils every day! They are a part of every cell in our body and important for every organ like our brain, heart, and skin
DrGregDVM 5 months ago
@DrGregDVM I don't eat processed foods and now I can add that as one of my many reasons.
issyvoo2 5 months ago
Sounds a bit like a human smoker's cough.
thegizmoguy1 11 months ago
@thegizmoguy1It seems louder when it is 3am
DrGregDVM 11 months ago
Awww poor Mokie
girlwham 11 months ago 5
@girlwham Mokie has a great home and a private doctor! She has it pretty good.
DrGregDVM 11 months ago
Is it hairball when the cat coughs up and tries to clear his mouth with his tongue during these episodes? I know my cat does this when he eats too fast or just out of the blue; he's pretty active and was adopted as a kitten and he was healthy. Took him to the vet as soon as I got him for vaccines and stuff.
reaperette 1 year ago
@reaperette It sounds like your cat eats too fast. A hairball does not have the raspy breathing part, just puking sounds
DrGregDVM 1 year ago
I wrote an article about asthma at yeepetcom called feline asthma and my cat Mokie. You might find it interesting. Also another at dogdishdietcom
DrGregDVM 1 year ago
wow very nice video i have cats & if my cat sounded like that i would have not pay any mind thinking it was a hairball
ROBISDISTURBED 1 year ago
@ROBISDISTURBED In my experience, there is more gagging with hairballs. My old cat used to sound like a subwoofer when she coughed up hairballs.
KendarB 1 year ago
@KendarB There's a scene in Shrek 2 where a very noble kitty, voiced by Antonio Banderas, suddenly barfs a hairball. I could not stop laughing.
issyvoo2 5 months ago