Cat Asthma

So since moving to my new home (with mostly hardwoods) my cat seems to be having a "hairball" attack almost daily. Though giving him his medication (Laxitone) seems to stop it...  not for long. In my last home I had rug and he had an attack about every three weeks if I didn't keep up with the laxitone.

So last night I googled it and it scared me to come on to the idea of Asthma.  Which I suppose could happen due to the new environment / stress from the move.

But it really is hard to tell.

As a kitten he got very sick and I was warned that had a tremendous amount of hair in there... and that I had to keep up on his medication.  Most of his life I have noticed hair in his poop. He has had hairball problems his whole life.   I notice when he has his attacks it seems to come from his belly. You can actually see his abdomen area spazaming.  Finally the attacks don't seem to go on very long. Less than 30 seconds.

Something else that is different.. in my last home he always was ripping up the rugs and eating the rug, it seemed, it got worse the more likely he might be to have hairballs (summer). I covered most of the rug with plastic but he got a few strands when he need it. I have suspected that the rug kind of pushed the hairballs out of his digestive system. Or helped them along (like fiber maybe that took some of the hair with it)  But now he has no access to that and so the hairballs aren't moving along like they should.  He is also, insistent that he wants hard food. He won't even look at wet food lately... no matter how good it is.  He also hates oil so no matter how I give that to him he turns up his nose.

Though I worried last night it could have been asthma all along, I do remember him throwing up hairballs in the past but, honestly, I hadn't seen it in a while, I thought, because I was good about the medication.

Before you say, go to the vet... I have an appointment next week. I just wanted to get a sense if anyone might know why this is happening -- more hairball like attacks without access to rug.

On the asthma side, he has always had this weird sounding raspy breathing sound at night when sleeping. But that is the only time I can hear it and he had it since he was a kitten (he is 8 now).  Though every time I went to the vet they said he was fine.  He is as fat as he has ever been. 21 lbs (but he is also a big boy) but I can't seem to get him to lose.

My boy 6 year old boy also has attacks that I am unable to differentiate between asthma or attempting to hork up a hairball, and he has raspy breathing when he's sleeping.

When we moved in August from a basement suite with carpeted floors and little air circulation, I did notice a decrease in the frequency of the attacks. We have no carpets now, we are above ground with open windows and great air flow, plus I have changed his litter to a dust-free variety (there are many options available). He may have an attack once a month now, and same thing... lasts less than 30 seconds and he's back to normal. He never has expelled a hairball from what I've seen (short-haired), so I am convinced he is mildly asthmatic. Vet told me to monitor the frequency and severity of the episodes, but she really didn't seem too concerned.

If it is asthma, it is strange that it's gotten worse since moving from carpet! Usually carpets/rugs are a big source of allergens and god knows what else. But honestly, there are so many factors that can aggravate asthma. Are you burning any scented candles/incense? Is there a possibility of indoor mold? Are you using any new chemical household products where the fumes could be irritating him? Have you moved to an area with a higher concentration of pollutants in the air? What kind of litter is he using? Stress of course, like you mentioned, is another aggravate.  .

I would suggest keeping the place as dust-free as possible, invest in a HEPA-filter air purifier, look into air purifying house plants as well, and be able to identify the factors that can trigger asthmatic episodes so you can minimize his exposure to them!

I doubt there is indoor mold but of course that kind of thing is hard to find.  In fact, if there is mold.. it likely would be in the basement which, I don't let him down in. But the basement seems amazingly dry -- I have been checking because I am planning on finishing it. It is concrete floors.  Of course, lately, the news is talking about seasonal allergys and I know he has upped his scratching.

I don't think I am in an area with more chemicals.. I moved more rural.  I do have "some" rug but it is only in the bedrooms.  Do you feed your cat dry food? Someone said that dry food  can cause it. I had him on wet food and these attacks were amazingly minimal... but in the last 6 months I switched to dry (mostly) and so maybe that is it.

Anyway I will ask about it at the vet but I suspect they can't tell me much. I also have started feeding him coconut oil (he seems to like that) in case it is hairballs.  I also will get the no dust litter. He did have an attack last night after using the box.

I suppose my best theory is stress. In addition to a new place.. the place is completely different, including stairs. See that is one reason I have trouble thinking it is asthma because he runs up and down the stairs and seems to have no breathing issues but.. he can just be standing there looking at me and start hacking.  Another theory is that the people who lived here before had a dog and I thought maybe something about the dog / dog smell in the rugs could be an issue.

Confusing.

Mommytobuck said:

 
So since moving to my new home (with mostly hardwoods) my cat seems to be having a "hairball" attack almost daily. Though giving him his medication (Laxitone) seems to stop it...  not for long. In my last home I had rug and he had an attack about every three weeks if I didn't keep up with the laxitone.

So last night I googled it and it scared me to come on to the idea of Asthma.  Which I suppose could happen due to the new environment / stress from the move.

But it really is hard to tell.

As a kitten he got very sick and I was warned that had a tremendous amount of hair in there... and that I had to keep up on his medication.  Most of his life I have noticed hair in his poop. He has had hairball problems his whole life.   I notice when he has his attacks it seems to come from his belly. You can actually see his abdomen area spazaming.  Finally the attacks don't seem to go on very long. Less than 30 seconds.

Something else that is different.. in my last home he always was ripping up the rugs and eating the rug, it seemed, it got worse the more likely he might be to have hairballs (summer). I covered most of the rug with plastic but he got a few strands when he need it. I have suspected that the rug kind of pushed the hairballs out of his digestive system. Or helped them along (like fiber maybe that took some of the hair with it)  But now he has no access to that and so the hairballs aren't moving along like they should.  He is also, insistent that he wants hard food. He won't even look at wet food lately... no matter how good it is.  He also hates oil so no matter how I give that to him he turns up his nose.

Though I worried last night it could have been asthma all along, I do remember him throwing up hairballs in the past but, honestly, I hadn't seen it in a while, I thought, because I was good about the medication.

Before you say, go to the vet... I have an appointment next week. I just wanted to get a sense if anyone might know why this is happening -- more hairball like attacks without access to rug.

On the asthma side, he has always had this weird sounding raspy breathing sound at night when sleeping. But that is the only time I can hear it and he had it since he was a kitten (he is 8 now).  Though every time I went to the vet they said he was fine.  He is as fat as he has ever been. 21 lbs (but he is also a big boy) but I can't seem to get him to lose.

Click to expand...

Yes, hairball retching and asthma attacks can look very similar! ... My Max has had problems with hairballs in that he doesn't expel them but swallows them back. I have often thought this was asthma-related, but the thing with asthma is that it is usually a constant condition, not occasional. If your cat's retching was relieved with laxatone in the past, this situation is very likely hairball related.

A couple of ideas come to mind .. One, it could be that your cat needs some fiber in his diet to help move the hairballs along more readily in the digestive tract. The rug remnants may or may not have contributed to helping him to pass the hairballs, but not a very healthy or safe habit long term. And two, the issues with the breathing could most definitely be weight-related. As your cat is overweight, this puts pressure on his lungs and diaphragm which can make breathing more difficult.

Glad to read that you are taking him to the vet where they can check his lungs, heart, blood pressure. There are other hairball remedies on the market - Someone mentioned Vets-Best which are chewable tablets that contain both psyllium husk and slippery elm bark which are both forms of fiber. This might work better than the laxatone.

If you need some help with getting your cat's weight under control, you might want to post your situation in the nutrition forum and I or someone else will be along to help you with this. 

Best of luck at the vets .. Do let us know how things turn out.

Here are some links on feline asthma.  Good luck on the vet visit and please keep us updated.

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/asthma

http://www.vet.cornell.edu/FHC/health_resources/Asthma.cfm

Stephen

I think it is hairballs. Here is the thing that seems to have worked. "Coconut Oil"-- it is the only oil my cat really likes. Since giving it to him the coughing has dropped back to about 2x per week and also his bowel movements are better.  More frequent and softer.  I give him about 1/2 of tea spoon once per day.  If he has any sort of attack he gets it too.

@Mommytobuck this is a positive sign.  Have you seen any hairballs in his stool?  You want evidence that they're passing, long term treatment with coconut oil could become problematic.  In addition there is a connection - not fully understood - to frequent hairballs and the development of imflammatory bowel disease, possibly linked to irritation of the intestines. See these links and I would suggest you still need a vet visit.  Your cat may have a chronic hairball problem.

From: http://www.halopets.com/pet-education/pet-articles/Inflammatory-Bowel-Disease-in-Cats.html

It is important to note that frequent vomiting of hairballs is not normal for any cat. Although hair is indigestible, it should pass completely through the intestinal tract without causing vomiting. If a cat is vomiting hairballs more frequently than once each month, it may indicate the presence of inflammation such as IBD and the ingested hair is acting as an irritant.

And, http://www.vet.cornell.edu/FHC/health_resources/brochure_ibd.cfm

And here is a good article on preventing hairballs and discussing brushing and fiber  in the diet.  http://www.thecatsite.com/a/cats-and-hairballs

Stephen

@StephenQ: Coconut Oil is one of the best oils that you can give to cats and along with preventing hairballs, is beneficial in many other ways including aiding in digestion. Here is a link to a page that lists the many benefits : 

http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.ca/2012/02/coconut-oil-is-good-for-your-dogs.html. The type of coconut oil is very important, and should consist of organic, unrefined extra-virgin oil.

I would agree that if there is a problem with hacking on a weekly basis, that there could be an underlying problem, but some cats are just more prone to hairballs than others. If the cat is not prone to constipation, sometimes all that is required is to add some additional fiber in the diet to push the hair through.

@oneandahalfcats great article, thanks for the link! :-)

StephenQ said:

 
@oneandahalfcats great article, thanks for the link! :-)

Click to expand...

I haven't seen hairballs in his stools. That is the strange thing. I used to all the time.  However, the hacking as stopped almost completely. I don't think he has had an attack in a week. I went to the vet today she said it could have been just coughing from allergies this time of  year in addition to hairballs. She did suggest keeping up with the coconut oil. She said it is also good for the teeth / gums tartar.  She was not concerned about asthma. And she listened to him with the stethoscope. The coconut oil is organic virgin. Get this... I bought it for me. I use it for dry skin.

So I am back and leaning toward the Asthma.

He really has upped his attacks in the last few weeks. This is consistent with (1) an increase in pollen which I know affects him (2) if it is hairballs.. it is warm and of course he is shading more; (3) he has been refusing to eat his hairball remedy and I don't know that I have been giving him enough and (4) last sunday he threw up a massive hairball. 

However,  yesterday I came home determined to kick the hairballs to the curb. I gave him tons of Laxitone - and combed him until he had no hair left (I have been combing for the week).  I was confident he hadn't had an attack in about 48 hours but he got into his litter box -- did a poop and ran out of there (as is good when you poop) and immediately hunched over and had an attack. 

Made me feel like god was like -- HELLO!! Pay attention.

I HOPE.. HOPE it is his litter. For about the last 3 months I did buy a cheap litter that was a hella dusty but more recently I have bought the litter he used before -- tidy cat. So I thought I was good. 

I feel like it has to be the litter. As I mentioned ... last month I went to the vet. My cat was held down my three humans to get blood. He fought for his life. He did not have an asthma attack. He runs up and down stairs and doesn't have an attack.  The vet listened to him and didn't seem concerned.

I went out and got dust free litter and and cleaned his box and purchased a new scooper.

My brother developed asthma as a result of microwave popcorn but... once he stopped it... he returned to normal. I hope that is the case here. I have a vet appointment on Friday, I hope I don't have to go.

Very interesting about the litter. Why not try and experiment and do a transition to a dustless litter like the silica crystals and see what happens....?

Well, he got much worse overnight and I had to take him in. He has asthma. The doc did an x-ray. They gave me oral medication to try.

He was poorly behaved so he got something to make him Loopy and I am watching him now.  So bummed.

Poor sweetheart.

Hope he's doing better today.

At least you have a good idea what it is. Hopefully with the right treatment he'll do better. At least you have an idea what it's like for an asthma attack.

Which pills are they trying on him?

I have/had two cats with asthma (one has since passed over to the RB) with asthma. Our surviving asthma cat (Luvbug - dlh male 14 yrs) has been holding steady since being diagnosed almost 8 years ago. He's taking Theophylline for it. He can't tke ANY steriods (including the inhaler our RB cat took) as he has heart issues and the steroids could damage his already weakened heart. (Luvbug just had an asthma attack a few days back - i'm sure the drought we are in isn't helping.)

You could try (as StephenQ thought) a dustless litter for a while if not permantly if the dust seems to trigger it.

I just switched over to the dustless litter. I actually really like that as I can accurately determine what he is doing in there.  He is on a steroid and a bronchi dilator.  I posted the names earlier.

24 hours and no attacks. That is an improvement.

One issue, I am having trouble getting him to eat the food with the medication in it.  He keeps eating like 1/4th of whatever I give him. It isn't that he isn't hungry -- he wolf's down his kibble... I think it is the smell of the meds. I can't be sure what he is getting.  RIght now I am only getting him to eat it at all by microwaving it. But I wonder how long that will last. I have been giving him less food to make him more hungry but he just smells the food and walks away.

Usually when he is like that I just leave it out and he will eat it but last night I did that and he didn't. 

I am calling the vet today.  I cannot pill him. I try to get his mouth open to see his tongue and he won't let me so I have no doubt I won't be able to give him pills.

One of My cats was diagnosed with Asthma. We too had moved into a new house and her symptoms had progressed after doing so.  It was very heartbreaking for me because she is my little champion and I didn't like seeing her suffer. She began wheezing while just sitting there in a relaxed position. I got her an inhaler and the little inhaler contraption that they need and would give her a douse of it every other day. But I thought there has got to be another way! There are several products out there made for animals that I tried that people gave good reviews for. I didn't have much success with them. So I set out and bought a hepa air purifier. NIGHT and DAY difference. Haven't heard her wheeze at all since! I also give her Mullein drops every once in a while to keep her respiratory system a boost. I have read how it does wonders for people with asthma and that it also works on cats… I also think her asthma came on from using a clay litter from FreshStep. (I contacted them to let them know that their products are harmful) I now use a crystal cat litter that is fine: 


***************don't buy it from amazon! its much cheaper at the pets store!

Well, It has been a while and my cat has been doing amazing on one round of steroids and a pill bronciodilator.  But sadly, this week, he starting coughing again. True, I have been giving him a very small dose of the bronchiodlator.  1/8th a pill once per day.  But it seemed to work quite well for so long.  I also paid for a guy to come out and test my new home for mold and whatever. (it was a full spectrum) And I got a clean bill of health. I had mold in my attic but it was not much and the guy felt it wasn't getting into the living area. (I am still having it re-mediated by the condo this fall) The rest of the area got a clean bill of health -- including the basement.

So I am stumped. I might try a Hepa filter. 

I was wondering.. one way I know he is about to have issues is that when he meows he sounds like he has a cold. It sounds like he is under water.  His first bad attacks happened right after one day I found him with insanely runny watery eyes... that he never has.

A few years ago my mom had congestive heart failure. Though I know my cat doesn't have that... this is where I get my theory. Mom's heart failure wasn't "bad" but merely a valve of the heart that wasn't performing well. So basically as long as she didn't tax her heart and used a diuretic pill to dry her out... she was fine. However, when she would go to the hospital many times they would give her IV fluids and she would immediately start to have trouble breathing. Her body just couldn't take the extra water.

I am wondering... could this somehow be related to him getting too much water?   His x-rays didn't show any problem with his heart (though they weren't looking for that).

Here are the reasons I am wondering

- when I moved in here I took him to the vet within a few weeks. The vet confirmed for me that he didn't have kidney problems and I took him off his all dry kidney food. (with one can of regular wet food per day).

- I changed to almost all wet food and gave him extra water in each. So I give him two parts of the 3 oz can and give extra water in each.

- I cannot believe how much urine he produces. I have remarked on it several times to the vet.

- I have cut him back on food -- a lot. And it is all now real grain free food. Yet he hasn't lost a single lb.  When my mother was having trouble with water / edema... with the heart thing... she just kept gaining weight.

- The two attacks he had were on humid days and I was thinking he was maybe retaining water.

It's a complex issue with possibly more than one thing going on. Running eyes with congestion a suggests a URI. But you also have asthma and possible side effects with Meds so you really need to consult a vet as soon As possible.

StephenQ said:

It's a complex issue with possibly more than one thing going on. Running eyes with congestion a suggests a URI. But you also have asthma and possible side effects with Meds so you really need to consult a vet as soon As possible.

Click to expand...

Um I have already. She said he has asthma.  But I am interested in going further and finding out why he has asthma.. something she can't really tell me.

Well, I cut back the water and he had another attack this week (though it was short) with the increased medication.

I had my vents cleaned yesterday and they were majorly dirty -- I know that is not considered a thing that will help. But I just have this hunch that the previous owners had a dog and I hop that whatever contaminates that the dog had if it is irritating my cat, went with the dust in the vent.