Wheezing cat

Hello,

I have two cats right now (9 month old sisters Ruby and Juniper). Adopted from the same rescue.

Since they were spayed 3 months ago, Ruby has had four wheezing attacks.  I work outside of the home, and I do not know if this is also happening while I am at work.

I took her to the vet for this twice; once a few days after the spay. And again in late January (after her 3rd wheezing attack). Both times, the vet told me her heart and lungs sounded good, her temperature was normal and that she was in perfect health.  Ruby is active, and has a good appetite (as does her sister).  The first time the vet said it was a side effect from being intubated for her spay. And the second time she said she was shedding a respiratory virus most kittens pick up in shelters or colonies.  And that unless her eyes or nose were runny, that I had nothing to worry about.

This morning Ruby had her longest wheezing session yet. It happened while I was cooking my breakfast, she was hunched over with her tongue out wheezing with her sister sitting right close to her head (presumably for comfort).  It lasted a minute or so, and then she went back to her normal self.  I did try to steam up the apartment a bit with the shower, to see if that would help things and she does seem like her usual playful self now.

My concern is that this is feline asthma, or some underlying problem. Is it worth trying to see another vet? Currently they see the vet that the rescue works with for spays.

Note: I have lived with cats for over 20 years, this is not hairball gagging and it's scaring me.

I have a similar problem with a cat that we found under our shed, socialized him and took him in.  After he was spayed, he has choking fits.  Everything I was able to find is that they may be allergic to something.  I switched litter to dust free and it helped for a while.  He is active and eats well and runs like a "bat out of the fire" but then suddenly has choking.  The episodes have been much reduced since I went to dust free litter.  I would check for allergens in your house or her environment. Also note if there is anything identifiable about where the episodes occur.

If you find anything please let me know.  I would also point out that I have asthma.  The doctor always tells me my lungs are clear and my heart is good. But then some things trigger episodes where I can barely breath.  Lungs clear and heart good are at a moment in time.   If i get other information I will let you know. 

"What Causes Asthma in Cats?

While there are a number of factors that contribute to asthma in cats, it is thought to develop as a result of allergic bronchitis. Allergic bronchitis occurs when the airways in a cat's lungs become inflamed due to an inhaled allergen or other substance that stimulates the immune system."

How Can I Prevent My Cat From Having an Asthma Attack?

• Have your cat tested routinely for internal parasites.
• Reduce stress in your pet’s environment, as it tends to worsen allergy and asthma symptoms.
• Do not use perfumes, room fresheners, carpet deodorizers, hairspray, aerosol cleaners, etc., around your cat.
• Avoid using cat litters that create a lot of dust, scented litters or litter additives.
• Dry air encourages asthma attacks, so keep a good humidifier going-especially during the winter months.
• Keep your kitty’s weight down and her body active!
• And please remember, no cat should be exposed to cigarette smoke-but if your cat has asthma, cigarette smoke is an absolute no-no.

 ASPCA

Originally Posted by Cerantola  

Is it worth trying to see another vet?

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Absolutely, and with all haste.

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Go to a cat friendly practice. You can get him a steroid shot and see if it helps, if so it's allergies or asthma.

I did see another vet, and we did a chest x-ray. We made the call to try eliminating allergens, and if she had another attack, bring her back in for bloodwork and steroids.

I eliminated the cleaners I was using (Method All purpose) as three of my poor Ruby's wheezing attacks where on days I cleaned.  And for a week were were good (though she had a slight kitty cold from being stressed out).

She had another attack yesterday and it sounded mucusy instead of dry. I'll be bringing her back to the vet this week.

We use World's Best Cat litter and Feline Pine (box of each), Ruby uses both. Though all the research I do on litters makes me feel like there's nothing I can do right. Everything is dangerous, or dusty.

Arm and Hammer has a 100% cat free litter that I switched to when my Anny boy started chocking really bad one morning.  He still has episodes but they are much reduced and less frequent.   I would not use steroids as a steady diet. 

Cerantola said:

I did see another vet, and we did a chest x-ray. We made the call to try eliminating allergens, and if she had another attack, bring her back in for bloodwork and steroids.

I eliminated the cleaners I was using (Method All purpose) as three of my poor Ruby's wheezing attacks where on days I cleaned.  And for a week were were good (though she had a slight kitty cold from being stressed out).

She had another attack yesterday and it sounded mucusy instead of dry. I'll be bringing her back to the vet this week.

We use World's Best Cat litter and Feline Pine (box of each), Ruby uses both. Though all the research I do on litters makes me feel like there's nothing I can do right. Everything is dangerous, or dusty.

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It's my experience that corn, wheat and pine litters tend to induce more cat asthma/allergy issues than using clay, which is more inert. They are usually more dusty litters than some clay ones.

I switched my cat from a wheatgrass litter for a year to Dr. Elsey's Respiratory Relief clay litter, and her attacks lessened dramatically. (However, Dr. Elsey's RR litter still has some dust... so I actually sift the litter prior to use to weed out the smaller particles and dust and help ensure it is as inert as possible for the litter box... that's kind of type-A behavior though!) But I think it is a good litter.

It takes some time to transition over cat litters, however, so you might check with your vet to see if you can do a temporary stint with a steroid (probably Prednisolone) for 1-3 weeks at least, to help your kitty with the transition and help with the wheezing and coughing. The wheezing and coughing is very hard on the kitty over time, so really, it's best to find the allergens and remove them, if possible. I'd start first with the cat litter. Just my two cents!

If possible to keep her off steroids, I'd prefer that. 

She doesn't usually cough between episodes of respiratory distress. But she did a bit on the weekend (it has also been a lot colder outside).  Is it normal for it to go from dry wheezing to ... wet sounding? I did tell my vet clinic, but they just booked me in for Thursday. I didn't really get any answers. 

As kittens, Ruby and her sister used the walnut based litter in foster care for the rescue.  I doubt that would be any better than corn though.

It sounds like she may be getting sick. She's at higher risk for it if she's got asthma or allergies causing bronchoconstriction. You could try a Vicks vaporizer with saline water in it to help open up her airways and dry up any mucus.

Cerantola said:

If possible to keep her off steroids, I'd prefer that. 

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You can always try switching the cat litter without steroids, of course! You had just mentioned, "We made the call to try eliminating allergens, and if she had another attack, bring her back in for bloodwork and steroids."

You won't know if a different cat litter improves her symptoms unless you try switching, and until you give her several weeks using a new cat litter.

(Our cat has more asthma coughing episodes during very dry and very cold wintery weeks, just fyi. Also in the spring, when the birch trees are blooming.)

I might try that.  

I have been running a humidifier when I am home - and that does seem to help. During her last attack I had it going full blast and cranked on the shower to hot as well. (Lucky for me, Ruby has a habit of liking to sit just outside the shower while I am bathing  - so steam treating her is actually quite effective. But I can only do that when I am home.)