My Cat Breathes Weird When He Purrs?

[IndyJones]

A word of caution though sometimes if you wait it ends up costing more.

 

[weezercat]

Is that the case for polyps? I really cannot afford to go now.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Is Care Credit, or a version of it available in Canada? It is a credit card for medical expenses, and covers both humans AND animals. Just a thought, as you do have a card, and may qualify.

 

[weezercat]

Hi guys! I am so sorry for the wait - I have been extremely busy with work. I am still waiting to go to the vet... but it seems as if Calvin is improving?!? I don't know! Very weird. He has good days and bad days. Today he is doing great.

I was away this weekend.. He had a little hairball, but I am not concerned because he is running around and happy as usual.

Also... grossest thing ever. Calvin caught one of those house centipede things with a million legs.... killed it. and took all of its legs off. SO GROSS! He must be a hunter!

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Hairballs happen. No matter what you feed, or suppliment with, in the spring and fall when there is a LOT of shedding, they happen. And generally mean nothing bad at all.

SO...he doesn't like drumsticks?

 

[weezercat]

I don't know if I'm obsessively worrying or not! Calvin has started to do a "silent meow" along with his normal meow. At first I thought maybe he had a sore throat... but he still does his loud meows!

I haven't noticed that he did it before this week, and I was gone last weekend as well. I also had to leave him for a long weekend this weekend and I feel so afraid! I hope he will be okay. He seems completely fine. Eating, running around and playing. Just will randomly do a silent meow!

 

[IndyJones]

Hector used to do that too. Some people say it's a way of saying I love you. It's not silent, it's just too high pitched for human ears.

 

[weezercat]

That's what it seems like. He is a very vocal cat. He meows all the time! Now I feel extra bad for leaving him all weekend!

 

[Mamanyt1953]

OH, did anyone mention that cats will quite happily guilt you? They all do it, just like they all do the silent "meow" on occasion. Hekitty does it when I've told her NO to another treat, sometimes accompanied by falling over in the floor.

 

[weezercat]

I wonder if that's what Calvin was doing! He tried to knock my lunch off the counter. I said NO, he started "silent meowing"... He's done it before, but he's doing it multiple times a day now! I wonder if he knows a new trick.. He will meow normally and then all of a sudden bring out the quiet meows!

 

[Mamanyt1953]

I think he's got your number!

 

[weezercat]

Hey guys! Got back from the long weekend - Calvin was thrilled to see me!

I am still worried that somehow he has laryngitis :/ He will make a "silent meow", very raspy or completely silent for a while. But here's the thing... Afterwards, he will meow loudly! and then meow as normal. And then "decide" to make his silent raspy meows.

I am trying to talk myself off this ledge again *eyeroll* I think he is trying to drive me crazy!

 

[Mamanyt1953]

That's SUCH a cat thing! They seem to thrive on making us a bit nuts! And cats are capable of a VERY wide range of vocalizations, depending on the situation. Calvin well may be simply expanding his vocabulary!

 

[weezercat]

Hey guys! Long time no talk. That is because nothing weird has happened! In fact, most days calvins "weird open mouth" purr has completely gone. I don't know what happened! Some days he coughs, but rarely as opposed to before....

I am still worried it could be a polyp or larygeal paralysis, but at the same time - I don't think the symptoms from either of those would just GO AWAY! He is doing a lot better!

 

[weezercat]

He does still do a slight open mouth purr. But he went from doing it CONSTANTLY to maybe once a day, only slightly open. 9 times out of 10, normal purr! He still gags, swallows and shakes his head. But a LOT less.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

That sounds more like maybe allergies, and whatever was triggering them is not as thick in the air now! This would be the best thing possible, as it only requires medication for a few weeks a year to handle, rather than a surgical procedure. I was JUST thinking that I needed to track you down and see how you and Calvin were doing! Thanks for the update!

 

[weezercat]

Awww you are too sweet! He is really growing up... he has a favorite spot on the couch now he always naps in. He has really made himself at home

I am still worried (because I am CRAZY!) but I have to think that if it was a more serious problem it would be getting worse.. not going away and coming back. Next check up I will be mentioning it.

 

[weezercat]

Hey guys! Thought I would update. The more I see him, the more I think it must be allergies. I went on vacation and took him to my moms house... not ONE cough the entire time he was there (over 9 days)! We are since back home... he has had a small coughing fit since but is doing well. Eating, drinking, he does swallow a lot when he purrs.. I wonder if it's my house? :/

 

[maggie101]

Would a humidifier help?

 

[weezercat]

Hmm I'm wondering if it's the humidity that's the culprit actually! My mothers house has AC... mine doesn't. I was thinking of using the DE humidifier in my basement and seeing if that helps. He had quite a big cough today, hoping it could be a hairball too since he's had those before.