Help! Sudden onset cough and wheeze

Hello all,
I haven't been here in a while. I used to post a lot about my boy kitty Jasper, who was a marker. Well, right now all that is under control, but yesterday began a nightmare.

Jasper, right now, after seeing 3 vets since last night, ( to the tune of $700) is here coughing and coughing, then rattling. This came on very suddenly. I thought he got something stuck in his throat but after 2 regular X-rays and then one with the dye that shows that there is no blockage in his esophagus.

He has had a shot of prednisone and a shot of an inhaler. He has been coughing pretty continuously since yesterday afternoon. He has short periods only where he can rest a very short time and then he is back into a coughing fit. He wheezes after coughing.

When this started he had been out in his outdoor enclosure. The vet wants to put a scope down his throat but it's &2000. And I just don't have it anywhere. I feel like I am just sitting here waiting for something terrible to happen. I have slept 2 hours in two days. I am so worried, and wondering if anyone here has any ideas. Please respond if you have any idea at all. I am desperate. Thank you. Ligwa

Did the vet test for asthma? If not, ask the vet to run tests. There are various tests from chest x rays to tracheal wash to other things. This web site has more info about feline asthma: http://www.fritzthebrave.com/

It turned out that Jasper had a bad flu. He was very auck for over a month. So sick that our vet took him home with home for a few days so he could watch him. Jasper had 3 scopes total, two different types of antibiotics, a couple doses of a steroid and some pain medication. We really thought we were going to lose him. What did seem to help a lot was steam. We took him in a steamy bathroom several times a day. I even did the vics on a washcloth thing twice. Our vet never could figure out an exact cause. He's much better now. But now my girl kitty is sick with CRF. Not a good season for my kitties.