Exterminator Cause Cat Asthma?

Hey guys,

So I haven't posted on here in ages but I'm really in some need of outside opinions. The problem is my senior boy (12 yrs), Xiao Hua has developed what seem to be asthma symptoms. It's not every day but in the mornings after he eats he will get what looks like asthma attacks (they look similar to cat asthma attacks I've seen on YouTube). He has never had an issue like this prior to moving into this new apartment, a couple of months later he started showing this. We moved into an old apartment building in Brooklyn where there is an exterminator who makes monthly visits, however I don't allow them to spray in my apartment. 

Other Symptoms: He also lost a little weight (due to change of food), but at the time this combination of symptoms scared us so I took him to the vet fearing for the worst - that he had a thyroid problem. He had his blood and urine checked, totally fine. His thyroid numbers weren't great (T4 - 2.7), but the vet said we could check back in a few months but she didn't feel/see anything for concern. And that the weight loss could be attributed to us removing the dry food out of his diet. Now skip a month or 2 and the symptoms of the coughing still persist, so I decide to take him to another vet. She examines him and again- sees no cause for concern. But because I mentioned coughing she prescribes him 2 medications; azithromycin & theophylline. 

Now skip another month and I notice him having longer asthma attacks, sometimes choking up clear liquid. And our other boy, Xiao Hei I've noticed having much milder symptoms (only 2 or 3 times ever though) This is a red flag to me, these are 2 cats that have never had any breathing problems prior. These cats are not related by blood or breed.

--- Could asthma have developed simultaneously in two older cats? I have suspicions that it might be the toxic chemicals that the exterminator uses for the roach problem in this building, or maybe the building just being an old building itself? I don't see any mold/mildew but I'm going to call the landlord to find out the history of this building with mold/mildew.

Do you guys have ideas or opinions for things I should check out?

I'm at such a loss, because 2 vets haven't been able to help and I can't stand watching him in discomfort. But it also seems peculiar to me that the other cat has shown mild signs of this too.
 

Based on my own experience, I'd agree that something in the new environment might be the cause of the asthma-like symptoms.  My cat Milo was completely healthy until I moved to an apartment in a 45 year old building.  Almost immediately, he started showing signs of asthma.  I didn't think if was the exterminator because they didn't spray - they used a tablet like compound.  My apartment was very dusty, however, since the duct work probably had never been cleaned since the building was new.  Also, the carpets were not the highest quality - I had a friend who maintained her cats came down with asthma due to chemicals used in processing the carpets during manufacturing.  The point is:  you may be right about something in your new apartment being responsible.  And definitely pursue the mold/mildew issue. 

I notice you didn't mention that your vet took x-rays.  My vet took x-rays as part of diagnosis.  It's been many years, and Milo has passed on, so I don't remember exactly what she saw, but she based her diagnosis in part on that procedure.   Cornell University's Feline Health Center has an excellent article on feline asthma which you might find of interest.  It discusses how vet's arrive at the diagnosis of asthma, as well as treatments and triggers.

 http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/Health_Information/Asthma.cfm

Milo's asthma attacks were not constant so he did not need continuous medication.  At various times, he was on prednisone and theophylline, but we quickly found that a week or so of clavimox usually cleared things up quickly.  Apparently the asthma left Milo more vulnerable to URIs, which might be true in your cats' cases as well.  

Quite a few of our members have had cats with asthma.  Below are three threads that you might find of interest since they describe the various symptoms and treatments.

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/310669/question-about-possible-asthma

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/163333/asthma

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/275818/cat-asthma

Wow, this response was great. You've given me a lot to look into and I really appreciate that.

Thank you! I'll look into X-rays for our next vet visit, the 2nd vet mentioned this as an option too.

You're very welcome!     I hope you figure out the problem soon so your kitties can get some long term relief!

Since they are both older cats, you may want to have your vet rule out congestive heart failure as well.  The symptoms are very mild at first but they get worse.  If you catch it in time, you can add many years to their lives with treatment.  Here is another link for you to read and then discuss with your vet.

https://www.petcarerx.com/article/signs-of-congestive-heart-failure-in-cats/1420