What is wrong with my cat?

Asked by missjena (918

) January 11th, 2009

I have a 10 year old cat who I love so much. He is the friendliest most affectionate animal I have ever been around ( i swear by this) anyway I am very worried about him. It all started with him coughing and when he coughs he stretches his neck out and heeves. We have taken him to the vet who though either asthma or cardiomyopathy. He figured it was the cardiomyopathy and the coughing is from that however I have noticed that if I open a window to let the cold air in my cat stops coughing automatically.

It is also a dry cough and from doing some research on this myopathy causes a wet cough and in fact rarely causes coughing at all. His appetite is fantastic and he is always happy it seems. I have researched some cats on youtube with asthma and it looks and sounds EXACTLY the same. can my vet be wrong? My cat is on a heart medicine that isnt helping and we are even giving my cat coQ10 for pets. I wonder if we tried an pet iinhaler that the vet is wrong. Of course I wish the vet was wrong Id rather my cat have asthma then a heart problem but I am not just saying this cause its wishful thinking. I truly believe my cat has asthma. Anyone have experience about this? I am really worried about my cat, I love him so much. Anyone know what to do when he is coughing how to make him feel better? Home remedies for asthma? Perhaps a test to see if it is asthma or a heart problem.

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6 Answers

You know, your vet would probably be interested to hear all the things you’ve observed.
How about a phone consultation and then see what to do next?

susanc (16144

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I will def be speaking with my vet and getting another opinion. But anyone else know about this in the mean time?

missjena (918

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Did the vet take radiographs? Both hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and asthma can be diagnosed via radiograph (although asthma may be more difficult if he is not experiencing an asthma attack at the time).

In the case of cardiomyopathy, you will not see a dramatic improvement on the meds (which one is he on, by the way?). The drug merely helps the heart contract a bit more efficiently.

If he is suffering an asthma attack, then a bronchodilator, a dose of steriods, and possibly a couple of hours of oxygen therapy should produce a dramatic improvement.

As in human medicine, if you are unsatisfied or uneasy about your vet’s diagnosis, seek out a second opinion.

syz (36034

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I would put him down.

gooch (5749

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This will sound simplistic, but have you tried a food that lessens hairballs?

My cat had the dry heaves before I tried this. They have it in Purina One…the package says for hairballs.

Carol (731

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good idea carol but unfortunately we did that which fixed his hairball problem but he’s still coughing. Its just so strange he’s hapPy and healthy in every other way. Its just the cough.

missjena (918

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