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Cat Cough - When it can turn out to be a sign of a deadly disease

post #1 of 13
12/18/11 at 5:24pm
Thread Starter 
A cat cough can happen for many reasons.... My Rainbow Kitty rbheart.gif Gracie rbheart.gif had serious hairball problems, so that is what I thought this cough was due to.... Unfortunately I was wrong. This was a sign of a deadly Congestive Heart Failure. If your kitty is coughing, please do not assume anything - take it to the vet and ask for chest x-rays... It can be lifesaving.... I hope this video, as heartbreaking as it is, having just lost my baby to this horrible disease, helps to save a kitty's life. Maybe this in some small way will be one of Gracies' legacies...
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post #2 of 13
12/18/11 at 5:46pm
Last summer I lost my cat rbheart.gif Postie to heart failure. He started with a cough similar to Gracie's on that video. Took him in and everything was normal, x-ray and bloodwork. We chalked it up to hairball or allergy. The cough went away and only came back occasionally over the two month's that followed. One Sunday afternoon, we came home after caring for the horses (had been gone about five hours) and Potsie rbheart.gif was in complete cardiac arrest, panting, mouth breathing, coughing. We rushed him to the Evet - about ten minutes away. He was practically blue by then. Passed in the oxygen tank. bawling2.gif NOW when I hear a cough in my cat's I take it very, very, very seriously. That is why I rushed Wendall to the vet a few week's back from coughing. Although, xray's and bloodwork were normal, I am still worried as he still has a cough or two once a week only in the morning. I am going to take him back to my "old" vet whom I totally trust and have these test's run again.

Thanks for posting the video - I think it IS very important for people to know the fact's about a coughing cat. Yes, it could be a hairball issue, allergies, but also a serious heart condition as well. My poor rbheart.gif - it absolutely broke my heart. AND Pipsqueak must have been by his side watching him the whole time we were gone - frantically - not knowing what to do. Potsie rbheart.gif and Pipsqueak were BFFs.

hugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gif to you Carolina - hope you are feeling better about thing's. Gracie rbheart.gif couldn't have been loved more heartpump.gif
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post #3 of 13
12/18/11 at 5:46pm
Carolina, I can't begin to imagine the strength it took to post this for us. hugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gif

I REALLY appreciate it, because we've been wondering about Flowerbelle's cough. The vets have confirmed by xray it's not her heart or asthma, but this actually does help confirm what they told us. I KNOW this will help other people. heartpump.gifhugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gif

In fact, I was JUST watching YouTubes of asthma coughs in cats. I don't know that I'd be able to tell the difference, honestly, unless body posture is as important as some seem to indicate. With 20/20 hindsight, I can see how this is different than a hairball cough - at least when compared to Flowerbelle's. When Flowerbelle has a hairball cough, she crouches on her front feet and stretches out her neck. She swallows occasionally while doing this - but she doesn't wheeze at all.

But given coughing can be due to so many different things, I think sharing this was truly an act of love, and I know it will help other people get their kitties to the vet sooner rather than later.

heartpump.gifheartpump.gifheartpump.gifheartpump.gifhugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gif

Lauren, we were posting at the same time. This is ETA to say I'm so sorry about Potsie. rbheart.gif
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post #4 of 13
12/18/11 at 6:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by LDG View Post

Lauren, we were posting at the same time. This is ETA to say I'm so sorry about Potsie. rbheart.gif

Of course we were posting at the same time - flail.gif that seem's to happen with you and me hugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gif I keep saying "last summer" when I talk about rbheart.gif Potsie - but it was two summer's ago. rolleyes.gif His cough was more mild than Gracie's though - except for the day we got home and found him - then he was coughing like that AND lying on his left side on the floor. When he coughed before that day - it was just in the crouching position - but there was wheezing frown.gif. I learned a tough lesson on that one..... that is why I am going to stay on top of this with Wendall too. I am still worried about my boy.
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post #5 of 13
12/18/11 at 6:19pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Feralvr View Post

Last summer I lost my cat rbheart.gif Postie to heart failure. He started with a cough similar to Gracie's on that video. Took him in and everything was normal, x-ray and bloodwork. We chalked it up to hairball or allergy. The cough went away and only came back occasionally over the two month's that followed. One Sunday afternoon, we came home after caring for the horses (had been gone about five hours) and Potsie rbheart.gif was in complete cardiac arrest, panting, mouth breathing, coughing. We rushed him to the Evet - about ten minutes away. He was practically blue by then. Passed in the oxygen tank. bawling2.gif NOW when I hear a cough in my cat's I take it very, very, very seriously. That is why I rushed Wendall to the vet a few week's back from coughing. Although, xray's and bloodwork were normal, I am still worried as he still has a cough or two once a week only in the morning. I am going to take him back to my "old" vet whom I totally trust and have these test's run again.
Thanks for posting the video - I think it IS very important for people to know the fact's about a coughing cat. Yes, it could be a hairball issue, allergies, but also a serious heart condition as well. My poor rbheart.gif - it absolutely broke my heart. AND Pipsqueak must have been by his side watching him the whole time we were gone - frantically - not knowing what to do. Potsie rbheart.gif and Pipsqueak were BFFs.
hugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gif to you Carolina - hope you are feeling better about thing's. Gracie rbheart.gif couldn't have been loved more heartpump.gif
Lauren, I am so sorry for your loss hugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gif
It is truly heartbreaking.... frown.gif
I too, have a whole new outlook at coughs now.... I had coughs here... Lucky had an episode of allergy once, and it went away - thank goodness with an anti-inflammatory and antihistamine, she was very young at the time and the thought of heart disease didn't even cross my mind.... Today I think, regardless, I would think differently - I rather be safe then sorry. Unless they pass a hairball, and it is clearly a hacking cough, I am demanding x-rays in different angles to rule out anything with the heart first. I don't think I will ever take a cough lightly again.
I am "going".... Thank you for asking.... Everything reminds me of her rbheart.gif Even going to the market.... So I am having the tendency of walking like a horse, with blinds - just going - straight. Bugsy is mourning a LOT. He looks for her 24hrs a day.... I am spoon feeding him again, and making sure to take his dry food plate to him, otherwise he won't really eat - he is always on his area, looking for her frown.gif
Hopefully he will be better soon..... She didn't love him too much, but he was so so in love with her heartpump.gif
hugs.gif
Quote:
Originally Posted by LDG View Post

Carolina, I can't begin to imagine the strength it took to post this for us. hugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gif
I REALLY appreciate it, because we've been wondering about Flowerbelle's cough. The vets have confirmed by xray it's not her heart or asthma, but this actually does help confirm what they told us. I KNOW this will help other people. heartpump.gifhugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gif
In fact, I was JUST watching YouTubes of asthma coughs in cats. I don't know that I'd be able to tell the difference, honestly, unless body posture is as important as some seem to indicate. With 20/20 hindsight, I can see how this is different than a hairball cough - at least when compared to Flowerbelle's. When Flowerbelle has a hairball cough, she crouches on her front feet and stretches out her neck. She swallows occasionally while doing this - but she doesn't wheeze at all.
But given coughing can be due to so many different things, I think sharing this was truly an act of love, and I know it will help other people get their kitties to the vet sooner rather than later.
heartpump.gifheartpump.gifheartpump.gifheartpump.gifhugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gif
Lauren, we were posting at the same time. This is ETA to say I'm so sorry about Potsie. rbheart.gif
hugs.gif yes..... it was hard to see this.... very hard.... and I won't be playing it again..... I did record this video for you actually, half to compare notes with Flowerbelle, half for your opinion.... I remember us being on the phone discussing this cough soon before I shot the video....
I guess the assumption of the hairballs came from the fact that she DID have serious hairballs problems - ALWAYS. Heart problems is nothing something that easily crosses your mind.... At least it didn't for me - now I will be on the look out for sure. Coincidentally this cough showed up right after she stopped her hairball treats, making me think the problem was hairballs.
Yes, I hope it does help another kitty.... I remember reading somewhere that cats, unlike dogs, will present cough as a sign of heart disease. Cough does need to be taken seriously... It can be much more than what we think, unfortunately.
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post #6 of 13
12/18/11 at 7:20pm
Yeah, I really regret having assumed Flowerbelle's cough was hairballs. frown.gif She does have such a problem with them, but I'm pretty sure now that she has/had bronchitis. frown.gif I hope it's not chronic... we'll see. The vet put her on doxy after the cardiologist and radiologist reports on the xrays came back, and she hasn't been coughing. cross.gif I still need to get her cardio report to Stan for his opinion.

I know this was really hard, Carolina. hugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gif Thank you again, for putting other's need ahead of your own. heartpump.gif
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post #7 of 13
12/19/11 at 11:53am
rbheart.gif Gracie rbheart.gif

Thanks for posting that, Carolina - I think that'll be very helpful to a lot of people. In addition to X-rays, there's a blood test called Cardiopet proBNP Test that a vet can perform to screen for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

It was the blood test that picked up Jamie's HCM almost 2 1/2 years ago. When he went into congestive heart failure this past Halloween, he began wheezing/coughing much like Gracie in the video, though it wasn't as prolonged.
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post #8 of 13
12/19/11 at 11:56am

Oh, Carolina hugs.gif, I know it must have broken your heart to post this, and it broke mine to watch it, but it IS so very important for people to see it and learn the difference between a "simple" hacking up a hairball and this deadly disease.  I know my Stinkpot sometimes gets water down the wrong tube when he drinks from the fountain and will cough a couple of times, and I always get paranoid and immediate think "heart problems".  I even took him in to be thoroughly checked because he does it with some regularity, but only when drinking out of the fountain.

 

Again, thanks for posting it.  As you said, if it can save another cat, then it will be rbheart.gif Gracie's rbheart.gif legacy

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post #9 of 13
12/19/11 at 1:11pm

Carolina, many have already remarked upon the bravery it took to post this video, but I wanted to add my admiration as well. You are a strong, incredibly caring person, and I've no doubt your pain will, indeed, improve another cat's life.

 

God bless you.

 

AC

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post #10 of 13
12/20/11 at 7:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carolina View Post

Lauren, I am so sorry for your loss hugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gif
It is truly heartbreaking.... frown.gif
I too, have a whole new outlook at coughs now.... I had coughs here... Lucky had an episode of allergy once, and it went away - thank goodness with an anti-inflammatory and antihistamine, she was very young at the time and the thought of heart disease didn't even cross my mind.... Today I think, regardless, I would think differently - I rather be safe then sorry. Unless they pass a hairball, and it is clearly a hacking cough, I am demanding x-rays in different angles to rule out anything with the heart first. I don't think I will ever take a cough lightly again.
I am "going".... Thank you for asking.... Everything reminds me of her rbheart.gif Even going to the market.... So I am having the tendency of walking like a horse, with blinds - just going - straight. Bugsy is mourning a LOT. He looks for her 24hrs a day.... I am spoon feeding him again, and making sure to take his dry food plate to him, otherwise he won't really eat - he is always on his area, looking for her frown.gif
Hopefully he will be better soon..... She didn't love him too much, but he was so so in love with her heartpump.gif

Loads of hugs back to you hugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gifhugs.gif I still think of you everyday and am amazed at your strength (yes, strength) and courage it took to try to manage Gracie rbheart.gif during the last days of her life bawling2.gif..... Such love, just love heartpump.gifheartpump.gif.... I too never thought about a cough meaning "heart" ever..... But now I know. I am keeping a very, very close watch on Wendall. It's odd, because he will only cough (and mildly, I tend to over-react at everything these days rolleyes.gif) in the morning and maybe once or twice a week and it sound's more like phlegm. Vet is suggesting we put him on antibiotics too - as could be bronchitis that is just hanging on dontknow.gif It is just scary now to me to hear any coughing - BUT at least I am aware of what a "cough" can mean and take proper and swift action :nod.....: OH AND - thanks.gif for the tip about taking the xray from a different angle. I guess you mean NOT laying on their side ????

vibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gif For you still, I know how hard each day can be and the reminder's that linger on... sniffle.gif Also vibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gif For Bugsy too - poor little man - but he couldn't have a better meowmy to help him through this grief hugs.gifhugs.gif
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post #11 of 13
12/20/11 at 7:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by LDG View Post

Yeah, I really regret having assumed Flowerbelle's cough was hairballs. frown.gif She does have such a problem with them, but I'm pretty sure now that she has/had bronchitis. frown.gif I hope it's not chronic... we'll see. The vet put her on doxy after the cardiologist and radiologist reports on the xrays came back, and she hasn't been coughing. cross.gif I still need to get her cardio report to Stan for his opinion.

Laurie hugs.gifhugs.gif I know that regretful feeling and you are not alone. The good news is - you are doing something about it for beauty Flowerbelle NOW - and that is what matter's. I think we all have learned a bit more about coughing in cat's lately. vibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gif For Miss FlowerBeauty rub.gifrub.gifrub.gif
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post #12 of 13
12/20/11 at 7:41am
That was very difficult to watch, and must have been even more difficult to post. Thank you Carolina, Gracie, I know will be proud to help other kitties. I'm sorry to hear Bugsy is taking it so hard, I know how heartbreaking that is to watch.
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post #13 of 13
12/20/11 at 8:51am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Feralvr View Post

thanks.gif for the tip about taking the xray from a different angle. I guess you mean NOT laying on their side ????
yeah.gif With Gracie they took from several different angles..... Not only one side - That first one (side only) showed inconclusive - that's when she was diagnosed with Tracheitis (by the attending vet). Bugsy's vet, Dr. Escobedo, looking at her history, that x-ray, talking to me, etc, told me to take her back immediately if the cough got worst..... and if she stopped eating. He then ran several x-rays. Even the side views were in different angles. There was top view also. This was an x-ray series.

This is a good tip from Tricia I didn't know:
Quote:
In addition to X-rays, there's a blood test called Cardiopet proBNP Test that a vet can perform to screen for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
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