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Coughing?

post #1 of 6
1/7/10 at 8:21pm
Thread Starter 
Simon my Siamese mix dry coughs for about 2 minutes every day or 2. Simon is about 12 years old as he was a rescue. He has owned me for 5 months now I assume that it must be a hairball even though he never coughs them up on the rug I have been giving him Petromalt in a tube and it really has cut down on the dry coughing. I have read that butter works as well but have never tried it. I have done a search on "hairballs" and nothing has been posted in months on this subject on this site .......... What are your most recent opinions? I brush Simon 5-6 days a week every week as he just loves it
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post #2 of 6
1/8/10 at 9:27pm
He could have asthma or it could be a respiratory problem, especially if he continually does it and you don't get any hairballs. I would take him to the vet to rule out any medical condition and then consult with the vet regarding a plan.
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post #3 of 6
1/8/10 at 9:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by stephanietx View Post
He could have asthma or it could be a respiratory problem, especially if he continually does it and you don't get any hairballs. I would take him to the vet to rule out any medical condition and then consult with the vet regarding a plan.
You couldn't be doing better then brushing him regularly as well as giving him Petromalt as prescribed. The "butter remedy" is more dangerous then helpful, butter is solid fat and not healthy for their digestive system.
Have you had him thoroughly vet checked? Have to ask, though I'm sure you have......At his age and new to your home, it's a challenge to help him. I definitely think it sounds more like asthma or an allergic reaction, could be from food, litter, sleeping area,.......Try to pin point where he is and what he is doing prior to these brief coughing attacks. Is it dry in the home, maybe you need a humidifier?
Ultimately a vet check is the first approach to rule out any medical issues......
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post #4 of 6
1/8/10 at 10:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by stephanietx View Post
He could have asthma or it could be a respiratory problem, especially if he continually does it and you don't get any hairballs. I would take him to the vet to rule out any medical condition and then consult with the vet regarding a plan.

Lucky had this once, and after a couple weeks not passing the "hairball" (I called the vet after a couple of weeks and he told me to watch for the weekend), I took her to the vet.
He told me it could be a number of things, but in essence her upper respiratory system was irritated for some reason. He took an X-ray and she showed nothing. So as a precaution she was given a shot of antibiotics. He also gave her a short term steroid, and she came home with anti allergic pills to take until her cough was gone, which was in a few days.
He said it could be the dry air from the air conditioner/heater, or a spray that I used at home that she got into...
Her cough was not hacking like hairballs though... it was almost like human cough... Dry cough, not hacking.
Since he is 12 years old, I would say take him to the vet... At the very least call him...
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post #5 of 6
1/9/10 at 6:42am
Something else to consider is the humidity level in your home. Could be that it's gotten too dry for him in your home, so try steaming him in the bathroom and running a vaporizer or humidifier in your home 24/7. If you don't have a vaporizer or humidifier, you can put a bit pot of water on the stove and let it simmer. Be sure to replenish the water throughout the day (or evening). Of course, don't leave it simmering on your stove when you're sleeping or out of the house.
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post #6 of 6
1/10/10 at 6:16pm
Thread Starter 
I truly appreciate all your opinions here.....I bought a tube of Laxatone from the pet food store for Simon. My vet feels that this is the issue with him without an examination. He coughs for about 2 minutes 1-2 times every 2 days.
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