Coughing cat

I adopted my cat Noodles from a shelter 3 months ago, and he had a few health problems-gingivitis, loose stools,and a weird cough. They were all treated, but he still has the cough. He'll be fine all day, then while relaxing or sleeping, he suddenly coughs, loudly and deeply (like a foghorn) 5-10 times in a row, then he's fine again. He's been seen twice for this specifically, and I was told he had a URI, which he got antibiotics for, then that he has asthma. He got a short-acting steroid shot for asthma, which seemed to work, so after a few days, he got a longer-acting steroid shot. I was told he wouldn't cough for a few months, but after 2 days, the cough came back. He's had all of his shots and was tested for leukemia in March. I'm at the end of my rope! I just want my little guy to get better! Has anyone had any experience with a coughing cat?

Coughing can be indicative of not only asthma, but also heart problems.  Have you looked at the various youtubes of cats with asthma to compare what your furbaby is doing to see if it seems the same as the asthma attacks they show? 

Since the long acting shot didn't seem to work, then I would definitely contact the Vet again and tell them it didn't work and have them check him again.  But before you do, please look at this video.  It is hard to look at, but you really should, because this is Gracie, who had heart disease, and her owner posted this video after she died, just to let others know what to look for.  BTW, this can be treated, if it is diagnosed in time.

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/239533/cat-cough-when-it-can-turn-out-to-be-a-sign-of-a-deadly-disease

Perhaps your little guy just needs daily Asthma meds, which I understand can even be compounded into fish or chicken flavored treats to make them easier to give .  I've also heard of asthmatic cats actually use inhalers

Oh, wow.  I was watching you tube "cat coughing" videos yesterday and saw Gracie.  I had no idea that was Carolina's kitty.  My Lucy will see the vet this afternoon for a persistent cough.  I'm thinking hers may be chronic bronchitis.  We'll see what the vet thinks.

I agree with mrsgreenjeens that Noodle's vet needs to know the long acting steroid didn't help. 

Because Lucy has been coughing, I came across this article on cat coughs yesterday and thought it was a good one....

http://pets.webmd.com/cats/coughing-cats-causes-feline-coughing

I liked the descriptions of the different types of coughs. 

Thank you. Noodles will be going to the vet this week and I will ask about his heart. I lost a cat in March to a blood clot-it was so devastating. He was only 3. I'm pregnant, so everything is so much more emotional. I didn't think I'd even live through it. I got Noodles 3 weeks later, and he's become like my baby. We've bonded so fast. I don't think I could take losing another cat. Please pray for him!
 

Thank you! I will look at the article. Please keep Noodles in your prayers. I'll update after his vet visit.

Noodles had his echo, and his heart looked good! I just ordered the AeroKat.
 

So glad it's not a heart problem.  So, since you have order the Aerokat, guess he's been diagnosed with asthma? Did you get a prescription for the medicine that goes in the Aerokat?  What will he be taking?

He may just be coughing up a hair ball. My cat did the same thing and in scared me. I brought food for indoor cat that have stuff in to to control hair balls.
 

Thanks for posting this - my Pixel has been diagnosed with a Grade 4 heart murmur - he is 6 months old now - and just recently he has started coughing and it sounds a lot like the video.  He's also been panting with play - when I notice it - I stop our play or as much as I can...he's a single cat and likes to play A LOT - I am thinking from what the vet told me about his heart, that is exactly what it is.....I don't think he is out growing it.

The last vet visit about 2 weeks ago confirmed he does still have the Grade 4 - he got his rabies and last distemper shot - so now I just need to keep an eye on him.  He is going in to get neutered valentines weekend (not intentional!), I certainly hope things are good for that - I wonder if his testosterone is "kicking in" at the 6 month mark and bringing on these other symptoms?

jentheartist said:

 
Thanks for posting this - my Pixel has been diagnosed with a Grade 4 heart murmur - he is 6 months old now - and just recently he has started coughing and it sounds a lot like the video.  He's also been panting with play - when I notice it - I stop our play or as much as I can...he's a single cat and likes to play A LOT - I am thinking from what the vet told me about his heart, that is exactly what it is.....I don't think he is out growing it.

The last vet visit about 2 weeks ago confirmed he does still have the Grade 4 - he got his rabies and last distemper shot - so now I just need to keep an eye on him.  He is going in to get neutered valentines weekend (not intentional!), I certainly hope things are good for that - I wonder if his testosterone is "kicking in" at the 6 month mark and bringing on these other symptoms?

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Has he been to see a cardiologist?  What other symptoms are you talking about?  What breed is Pixel?  Certain breeds are more prone to HCM than others.