My cat has been having constant attempts to dry cough or retching without getting out a hairball. She's almost 9 years and long hair. I used to give her hairball medicine, but she would throw up her own food so I thought it was making her sick. I have a visit scheduled with the vet, but I'm wondering if there's anything I can do for her until then. I'm scared it's serious. I started her on that Purina Special Care Hairball Formula, but it's only been a few days and she's still coughing. I noticed this a few months ago, but I just thought it was regular cat hairball stuff. Until she coughed up a very large hairball, that I realized she's having hard time. I feel so bad for her.