Strange breathing

Sorry to jump in without a proper introduction, but I need advice before I race off to the vet in a snowstorm.

Muffin, our 3 yr old male domestic short haired polydactal (phew) is okay right now, but about 30 minutes ago he was having little breathing convulsions, kinda like erratic hiccups. He wasn't freaking out or hiding, and ate and drank between episodes. It got worse, and at one point he went to the threshold of the bathroom and wretched, but nothing came up. Hairball problems? Maybe... Lisa (my other half) was stroking and talking to him in the bathroom, and his stomach was gurgling quite a bit. He sneezed quite violently (for him) at one point, and then rubbed his nose like it was really bothering him.

At the moment he's purring away, chilling out with her, and he's allowing Lisa to massage his stomach, quite happily. No episodes for about 10 minutes. Any thoughts or similar experiences?

Thank you for reading this!

paul

Is it possible he got into something like string or ribbon? When he swallows water, does he lurch his throat? Sorry that's what I call it when it looks like they have difficulty swallowing, and their throat sort of goes up in a lurch. My concern would be he has a throat obstruction partially.

If he swallowed something and it went into his system, you can add fiber to his meal to see if he passes it, depending on what it is. Plastic shopping bags are suspect, as kitties love to chew on them. If you have shoes with laces, check and see if any of the ends are worn out and nibbled?

It is really hard to say what is going on. You are the best judge as to what to do. I would at least call your vet.

Thank you Hissy!

I will check immediately - he seems to have calmed down, and yes, he was "lurching" when he drank. Whatever it was seems to have passed. He's asleep by my feet on our bed at the moment, breathing easy.

Thanks again, we appreciate your reply IMMENSELY!

Paul, Lisa and Muffin

Here's the update on our Muffin...

Lisa took him to the Cat Clinic in Hamilton ON. Yes, a clinic dedicated to our favourite animal! Turns out there's a feline upper respiratory virus rampant in our city. Muffin caught it, hence the the weird breathing and his fever (I forgot to mention he was warmer than usual last night) he's been prescribed antibiotics, was given a shot of B12 vitamins and liquids, as some sick cats will not take in enough fluids, as many of you know. It will take 10 days for the virus to run its course, and the antibiotics should kick in in 2. He had conjunctivitus as well, so we have to administer eye ointment twice daily. Other than that, he's fine, and will be his usual personable self in no time. Oh, and the bill for all this came to about $250.00 (Canadian) along with some free food samples that he is just devouring.

The vet was nice enough to ask Lisa to call her to let her know Muffin is doing, which is a rarity in our experience with vets.

Hi there,

First of all welcome to TCS - and Muffin is in my thoughts for a fast recovery!

Thanks for the update!

Here's the latest update:

Last night Muffin was at his worst. He threw up, his eye and nose was running like a leaky tap,and he was boiling. But we were told he would probably get worse before he got better. Sure enough, this morning he 's much better, as we woke up to find him on Lisa's stomach, meowing good morning and purring away when we talked to him. Polydactals are so awesome! What a personality! Anyway, he was meowing for his food, which he didn't touch yesterday. He just finished eating some of his dry food, and he seems a lot happier. Good old Muffin! His conjunctivitis is still there, not as bad, but still there, and his nose is stil running, but he the fever has broken.

Thanks for the concern! He's feeling the love from you all!

Glad to hear he's doing better!

Things have gone from better, to worse, to better and back to worse with Muffin since I last posted. Long story short, he just came back from a weekend stay at the Cat Clinic. His breathing is pretty laboured due to serious congestion, and his fever has spiked a few times. He came home today, better than when we left him, but still having sinus trouble. His left paw is sore, aparently due to the fever. Right now he's lying next to me, grooming himself (a good sign) but sounding horrible from the congestion. The vet thinks he might have FIV (feline HIV). We're so hoping that isn't the case.

One question we have that we forgot to ask at the Clinic - does anyone know if it's safe to use those devices that are used to help clear infant congestion? Lisa thinks it might help, but I'm not sure if it's safe or not. It's basically just like an eye dropper, only the bulb is a bit bigger. I just wish we could somehow alleviate his breathing problem!

If you have tried this before, let us know. Thanks!

Paul, Lisa and Muffin

Oh no! It must be so heartwrenching to go through all these ups and downs. I do know that Muffin is very lucky to have such good parents.

I'm not one of the site's medical experts but just wanted to send my good vibes and prayers your way while you wait for some advice.

Thanks, Colleen. He's curled up right now at the end of the bed, breathing a bit easier. In fact, I think he's asleep, poor thing. He's very happy to be home. Yup, he's asleep, head upside down, happy - that's good! Rest up, buddy, get better...

Originally Posted by Muffinman

Thanks, Colleen. He's curled up right now at the end of the bed, breathing a bit easier. In fact, I think he's asleep, poor thing. He's very happy to be home. Yup, he's asleep, head upside down, happy - that's good! Rest up, buddy, get better...

Click to expand...

Awww... I bet he's happy to be home! He sounds like a very cute kitty-cat.

If you are talking about Little Noses, yes that is safe to help him with the congestion. All it is is straight saline drops.

You can also take him into the bathroom and turn on the shower as hot as it will go. Sit there with him while the room fills up with steam to help him breathe a bit easier.

Also look into a Sudafed plug in, and plug it into the room he is sleeping in, far enough away from him so the aroma doesn't overpower him, but he still catches some of the benefit.

Good luck with him-

Originally Posted by hissy

If you are talking about Little Noses, yes that is safe to help him with the congestion. All it is is straight saline drops.

You can also take him into the bathroom and turn on the shower as hot as it will go. Sit there with him while the room fills up with steam to help him breathe a bit easier.

Also look into a Sudafed plug in, and plug it into the room he is sleeping in, far enough away from him so the aroma doesn't overpower him, but he still catches some of the benefit.

Good luck with him-

Click to expand...

Muffinman, didn't I tell you she was one of the experts? MA, we're so lucky to have you on this site.

Purrfect, Hissy! That was a our next question (steam). Thank you for the advice. We're going to let him sleep for now, and when he wakes up we'll run the shower.

This site has been very helpful and supportive. We'll keep everyone posted, and include a pic soon.

Paul

One thing if he is running a fever, be sure that you take him out of the bathroom wrapped up in a towel. He will be damp from the condensation in the room and might catch a chill-

Also if you can find a good health food store that carries GSE (Grapefruit Seed Extract) buy a bottle of the liquid and put a few drops in his canned food at every feeding. Add some water to the mixture to help replenish the fluids he is losing from the fever-

Good luck with the steam!

How is Muffin doing?

Just catching up and I want to add my best wishes and good vibes for Muffin to get better soon. It sounds like he is improving. And welcome to TCS!

Good vibes for Muffin to feel better soon! Poor thing. btw, Little Noses is really good to use with congestion. I use it for some of my rescues with an Upper Respiratory infection. Sometimes, after I use it they will sit there with a funny look on their face for a few seconds and then all of a sudden they sneeze a huge hunk of snot out! Pretty gross...LOL. But I can imagine how much better they must feel. However, please be very careful while using the saline spray/drops! It is possible for cats to aspirate some of the fluid into their lungs and this can lead to pneumonia. You should be ok as long as you don't put a large amount in there at a time. Bert, Ernie and Bella send many get well meows to Muffin

Again, thanks so much for all your love and concern. We're overwhelmed by the responses and advice we received here. Oh, the good news - Muffin is almost 100% back to normal! He still sneezes once in a while (including all over my face when I was talking to him - gross!) and wheezes a little once in a while as well, but he is WAY out of the woods. We're so relieved and happy. Thanks again, and I hope all your furry monsters remain healthy and happy.

Paul, Lisa, Brittany, Nicolette and of course, MUFFIN!