Hair ball, or something serious?

From time to time Jordan makes a noise like he's coughing, but I've heard other cats make this noise right before they throw up a hairball. I don't know that I've ever seen him actually bring anything up. For the most part I wasn't worried, cause I just figured that's what he did when he had a hair ball, but last night, it did sound like he was trying to get something up, but after he made the noise his breathing seemed to have a little wheez to it? He's very difficult to examine, he becomes aggresive when held down & I'm not sure how to look in his mouth with out getting bit, as a matter of fact the last time he was at the vet she wouldn't even attempt to look. I got up (this sort of this always happens at 3am) & gave him some hair ball remedy, then went back to bed. He didn't come back to bet until about 7 am, but by then the wheezing was gone. Is it possible he got a hair ball 1/2 way up & that's the noise I heard? Any ideas?

Are his roundworm meds up to date. The lifecycle of the roundworm means they develop in this lungs. Then move towards the windpipe, making the cat cough. This brings the worm larvae into the throat to be swallowed where they complete their lifecycle in the intestine. If he hasn't had roundworm meds recently it might be worth a try. If you're at all worried though, he should see the vet.

Ewwww I hope it isn't that! Round worms are gross, and can be passed through the litter box.

I'm not sure it would be round worms since they don't go outside & all three guys share the 3 litter boxes I've got. I just have a stool sample done on Levi at the end of Novermber.

Cats can develop asthma, and one of the symptoms is that the cat may develop a cough that sounds like the cat is trying to get rid of a hair ball. Here's a link to a webpage with a lot of good information about this condition. http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_feline_asthma.html

I did look at the asthma information, but since that was the first time I heard him have wheezing I'm not sure it could be diagnosed. However, he's had the same time of coughing type thing 3 or 4 other times this past week. No more wheezing, but I've noticed that when he does it he seems to swallow hard, I think it'a hair ball, but at the same time it's been going on now for a week & I'm starting to worry. So now I'm wondering should I call the vet? I don't want to be a hypochondriac, but if it's something more than a hair ball he needs to see a vet.

You're right - you do need to know if it's something other than a hairball. Even hairballs can be serious if they become impacted in the intestines.

You're not being a hypochondriac, just a good mom. Coughing is a symptom of many things, some benign, some serious. Take him to the vet for a look, and find one who isn't afraid of looking in his mouth. Examining the mouth is very important and needs to be done, no matter how unhappy your cat is about it!

I just want to say that I don't blame the vet for not examining his mouth, I can't express how aggresive he becomes at the vets office, other than to say that I'm afraid to take him out of his carrier, this is the same cat that curls up next to my face at night & sleeps under the covers with me, but something happens to him when you get him into the vets office.

Originally Posted by Rang_27

I just want to say that I don't blame the vet for not examining his mouth, I can't express how aggresive he becomes at the vets office, other than to say that I'm afraid to take him out of his carrier, this is the same cat that curls up next to my face at night & sleeps under the covers with me, but something happens to him when you get him into the vets office.

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My Shalimar (RB) was the same way. At home she was my angel. I could touch any part of her body without even a hiss. At the vet, she became a cougar. People could hear her growls and yowls out in the waiting room and the vet techs were afraid of her. I learned from a friend how to hold her.

If the vet wants to examine her mouth, tuck her body between your elbows and your chest. I would lean over the table using my forearms to control her body. With one hand, hold under her head with fingers on either side of her mouth. Just make sure your fingers don't enter her mouth. Use the other hand to hold her scruff. Use your forefinger to gently pry open her mouth from the front. There is a space behind her teeth by her jaw where you can insert your fingers to keep the jaw open, but unless you know this place by heart, don't try it. I've used this hold for ear and eye exams too.

Remember...you're looking for control, not force! You are only using what is needed. The cat shouldn't be squirming before the vet even starts. Once done, lots of loving and praise. Talk to the cat the entire time too. Your voice will help to calm her.

Just a little update. I finally decided to call the vet yesterday. I talked to her & she felt it was a hairball & told me to try some hair ball medication ( I had just started using in on Tuesday because that's the first I could get to a store), but if he's not better in a week she wanted to see him, or if he developed any other symptoms. Last night was laundry night so I didn't get home till after 9. While I was getting ready for bed I stepped in a cold wet spot, as you all know this is the most common way to find a hair ball. Sure enough there was a small amount of bile & hair. So now I know it's a hair ball, which made me feel better, but a little foolish for having called the vet.

Don't feel foolish for calling your vet. I can assure you, she would rather have you call and it not be a problem, than for it to be a problem and you didn't call.

I am glad that it turned out to be a hairball after all. The hairball medication should help prevent any further reoccurances. And I hate finding them that way too:-).

Kathryn